Help Winn Maintain Their Mobility and Self-Reliance

Hau kola, Shé:kon ki' wáhi, Hello friend. My name is Amelia and I am Oglala Lakota of the Oceti Sakowin and Kanien’kéha:ka Haudenosaunee and Metís. I'm raising funds for my nibling Winn's mobility needs—namely, their minivan.

Winn is a student, an educator and an activist for Indigenous, LGBTQ+, disabled, animal and human rights. They are or have been a board member for the local animal shelter, a staffer for MaineTransNet, a founder and organizer for PRIDE events, a support group facilitator, a workplace accessibility evaluator, a progressive Democratic convention delegate, a gamer, a cosplayer, a pet parent and a lot of fun to spend time with. They've been my go-to traveling companion for decades and my wheels since they learned to drive.

Winn & Amelia, 2016 Maine Democratic Convention

What they've never been is rich.

Due to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and other lifelong medical issues, Winn is reliant on their mobility aids—cane, crutch or wheelchair—and a vehicle that will accommodate those aids in order to live their daily life.

They were forced for medical reasons to stop working. Their decision to return to school to finish a degree to qualify for a job they can still do—despite multiple disabilities that exempt them from working—makes their minivan even more critical.

Then I was downsized from my job.

In the past, if Winn or my Sisters needed financial help, the Bank of Amelia was always open. As a family matriarch, if you have resources beyond what you need to survive, you offer them freely to your kin. Unfortunately, I now find myself just a few dollars away from being unhoused every month and cannot pay their vehicle loan payment any longer when they can't.

Winn is about to lose the minivan that they, their Mother/Mičuwe (my older Sister) Helena—who is also disabled and no longer able to work, and I rely on for things like medical appointments, therapy and getting basic necessities like food and prescriptions. We live in a very rural area of Northern Maine where public transportation doesn't exist. Our parents have walked on, so there is no one in the family left to ask for help.

So I'm asking you.

Enough money to get the car loan arrears paid—the amount I've asked for—would be amazing. Enough to pay off the balance of the loan would be life-changing. Anything above that would be used to get Winn's phone, school and medical bill arrears paid.

$5,000: vehicle loan arrears

Above $5,000: cellphone arrears, next vehicle payment, medical and school bills

Philámayaye, Niawen'kó:wa, Thank you!

Any amount would be greatly appreciated—many drops of water can create an ocean.