Helping Tasha and Xylem Find Their Footing Again

Since the end of February Tasha has been experiencing acute and ongoing mental health symptoms that require near constant care. This is continuing to have impacts on her wellness and functioning. Integration and recovery from this emergence is real and possible, but it unfolds over months, not days. Tasha has been embracing the Hawaiian word ‘Onipa’a, which means steadfast, firm, resolute, determined. Even through this difficult experience, Tasha has deepened her belief that we are all connected, and everyone deserves a vacation.

In the meantime, daily life looks different. Tasha has always been someone who found deep joy in cooking. It was a creative outlet and one of the central ways she cared for her family. Right now, that's one of the many things that has been set aside while her mind and body recover. Xy is only the sous chef and is lost without their Chef in the kitchen (Xy wrote this part :-)) so any help with meal prep or deliveries would help nourish us.

Tasha has also been the financial anchor of their household, and her job has provided the health insurance that covers them both. That has allowed Xylem to invest in building their private therapy practice, which was just finding its footing. Tasha is on leave from work right now and is needing a sabbatical and respite.

Xylem, in turn, has had to entirely step back from their own client practice to be present as a caregiver and to care for themself as well. Xy has needed the support from community too.

We are raising funds to help Tasha and Xylem with:

- Day-to-day living expenses during Tasha's recovery: rent, groceries, and utilities, the ordinary costs of a life that don’t pause while something hard is happening

- Lost income from both Tasha being on leave and Xylem having stepped back from their therapy practice, with an uncertain timeline for either to return

If you're able to contribute, any amount genuinely helps. It eases a very real pressure for two people who are already carrying a lot. And if giving financially isn't possible right now, sharing this page with people who know and love Tasha and Xylem means just as much.

Other ways to support are sharing space and going on fun adventures together, shared meals, meal deliveries/prep, jamming and singing together, and any connections to warm vacation spots they can look forward to in their (hopefully near) future.

If you would like to donate directly outside of this platform you can contact brother Bryn Nilsen who is helping with the logistics of the fundraiser.

They are held, they are loved, and they could use a little more room to breathe.

With love and gratitude,

The Nilsen Family