Hello, everyone. Our names are Ocean and Raquel, and we’re reaching out for support during an incredibly difficult time.

A few years ago, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were approved for a housing grant designed to help disabled transgender individuals like us stay safe and secure with paid housing. We believed this grant would provide long-term stability, but now, with the Trump administration proposing massive cuts to federal programs—including those for affordable housing and homelessness assistance—our future is uncertain. While these cuts are not yet final, we fear they will impact the funding that keeps us housed, putting us at serious risk of losing our home.

In addition to housing cuts, there are also growing concerns that the Trump administration may attempt to cut or modify disability benefits, including SSI and SSDI. While no official plans have been announced, there have been troubling indications that reducing federal spending on social programs is a priority. This raises even more uncertainty for us as we navigate the difficult and time-consuming process of securing our disability benefits.

We have both faced homelessness before, and we are terrified of going through that agony again. More than that, Raquel, who uses a wheelchair, was just approved for a powerchair that will arrive in the coming weeks—something that will greatly improve her mobility and quality of life. However, without stable housing, we won’t have a safe place for her to keep it charged and protected from theft.

Despite these hardships, we remain deeply committed to each other and our future. We have been married for the last four years, standing by one another through thick and thin. We dream of being completely self-sufficient and living a life where we can thrive instead of just survive. We are both incredibly creative, passionate about music and all forms of art. We spend our time working on our music, creating graphic designs, and developing our artistic skills. Our goal is to build a sustainable future where we can turn our creativity into a livelihood.

Right now, Raquel is working with a lawyer, and Ocean is working with a local program in Portland called The Best Team so we can both secure SSI and SSDI disability benefits if Donald Trump doesn't get rid of these programs. These benefits will provide us with an income because we are unable to work due to severe physical and mental disabilities. Between the both of us, we struggle with conditions such as OSDD, DID, OCD, C-PTSD, ADHD, manic depression, chronic anxiety disorder, asthma, three herniated discs, and bone-on-bone friction in Raquel’s left knee, which is why she is confined to a wheelchair. We are also both on the autism spectrum, diagnosed with high-functioning autism (formerly known as Asperger’s Syndrome).

Anyone who has been through the disability system knows how long and grueling the process can be. While we wait for approval, we just need a little help to bridge the gap and keep a roof over our heads.

Every dollar donated will go directly toward rent, utilities, and basic living expenses so we can remain housed and safe in this uncertain political climate. Even if you can’t donate, sharing our story would mean the world to us.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Your kindness and generosity could be the reason we stay off the streets and continue working toward our dreams—securing clients for our home recording studio, helping other artists bring their music to life, and building a future where we can support ourselves through our passion for art and music whenever our disabilities allow us to.

With love and gratitude,

Ocean & Raquel