Jesse and I are facing a severe financial crisis, and after exhausting every option we could think of, we are finally asking for help.

Things got much harder after I lost my job as a 988 crisis counselor and our income was cut nearly in half. Things have snowballed over time and we’re struggling to stay afloat. Our immediate crisis includes overdue essential bills, medical debt, and urgent surgery for our dog Bernie, who has Von Willebrand Disease Type 2, which is a serious bleeding disorder that makes surgery significantly more dangerous and expensive.

I am physically disabled and live with multiple chronic illnesses and a connective tissue disorder. Despite this, I’ve spent years trying to build stability however I could- working in crisis counseling, pursuing graduate education, and more recently trying to grow a small creative business while managing ongoing medical complications and chronic pain.

Over the past several years, job loss, medical issues, disability-related barriers, housing instability, and rising living costs have pushed our household into survival mode. Earlier this year, we were forced to move twice within a short period due to harassment and instability, leaving us with significant housing and moving-related debt.

We have already been making major changes to survive financially, including downsizing to reduce our rent by nearly $800/month and enrolling in a nonprofit debt management program where we currently pay approximately $731 every month toward debt repayment. We have also applied for disability benefits, but the process is expected to take many months, potentially close to two years.

Right now, we are behind on:

utilities

phone service

car insurance

medical debt

moving-related expenses

medications, and other basic living costs. At this point, our bank account is nearly empty.

Funds raised will go toward:

- Bernie’s surgery and veterinary care

- Essential medications and healthcare costs

- Utilities and phone service

- Car insurance and transportation expenses

- Housing and moving-related debt

- Stabilizing our household while we work to recover financially

It’s incredibly difficult for me to ask for help, but we’re running out of options. Any support- whether through donations or sharing this fundraiser- would mean more to us than I can express.

Thank you for reading and for caring.