Help Me Repair Rosie – My Van’s Transmission Just Failed

Hi, my name is Oscar. This year has been incredibly hard, and now my van, Rosie, has broken down—the transmission just went out.

Rosie isn’t just a vehicle to me; she’s how I travel to art shows and installations, the way I transport my work, and how I make a living. For months I’ve been driving with a cracked windshield because I couldn’t afford to fix it, but I kept going to stay on top of bills. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to save for emergencies like this.

On top of this, I’m also caring for my mom, who is living with Alzheimer’s. That limits the hours I can dedicate to art installations, especially since my sister’s job often takes her out of state. Balancing caregiving and work has made it even harder to prepare for unexpected expenses.

I’m embarrassed and devastated to be in this position. Without Rosie, I can’t reach my shows or installations, which means I can’t work. This situation has left me feeling overwhelmed and on the edge of depression.

If you’re able to help me repair Rosie and get back on the road, I would be deeply, deeply grateful. Any amount—no matter how small—will help me keep doing what I love, continue supporting myself through my art, and take care of my mom.

Thank you so much for reading, sharing, and supporting.

— Oscar