YASEMIN

Yasemin's Facebook page 

My friend Yasemin Basaran-Crawford has been living with a disability and unable to work full time since Spring of 2017. About a month ago, she was illegally evicted from her apartment. Many of her personal belongings including irreplaceable sentimental items were stolen, along with about $2700.

This fundraiser is to help Yasemin meet ongoing medical expenses, make car repairs and move into new long-term housing.

Yasemin has applied for worker's comp, Medi-Cal and  SSI (Supplemental Security Income,  or disability payments), but these claims take time to process and may only cover a portion of her necessities. Other benefits will not become available until Yasemin has a new permanent address. This fundraiser will help Yasemin bridge that gap.


MEDICAL EXPENSES for NEUROPATHY

For several years, Yasemin has been living with severe neuropathy/radiculopathy, a nerve condition that frequently causes pain, weakness, tingling or numbness in the arms or legs. This is a chronic disability that is often invisible from the outside, but which makes many ordinary activities extremely difficult, painful or tiring.

One of the most effective treatments for neuropathy is massage, but massage is not currently covered by Medi-Cal insurance. Other physical movements are also therapeutic, such as yoga, walking or dance. Yasemin devotes 20 to 30 hours each week to therapeutic exercises: stretching, strengthening and walking.

Medical expenses not covered by insurance are estimated at  $200 to $400 per month.


CAR EXPENSES

In the absence of a permanent home address, Yasemin's car becomes more important than ever. It's a necessity for traveling between the homes of the friends who are supporting Yasemin, and to bureaucratic appointments, and for storage and access to Yasemin's remaining possessions. When Yasemin is healthy enough, she uses her car to work as a driver for Uber and Lyft.

Yasemin's car is currently in need of repairs. Estimated repair costs come to $1800.

Ongoing car expenses ( car payments, car insurance, gas, etc. ) are approximately $450 per month.


HOUSING EXPENSES

Housing in the San Francisco Bay Area is expensive! One-room rentals may typically cost anywhere from $700 to $1200 per month. Yasemin lost approximately $2700 when she was illegally evicted from her home. She may require a similar amount in order to pay the deposit to move into a new home, as well as expenses for replacing furniture such as a bed frame and other household items.

Estimated move-in cost for a new apartment is around $3000.


OTHER EXPENSES

Other personal goals for Yasemin include making art (photography, dance, writing and music) and traveling to visit her family — the nearest family members 6 hours away in Yreka, California, and others in Istanbul.

Estimated travel expenses: $1500 to Istanbul, $1000 to Yreka, CA.


NON-MONETARY NEEDS:

Until she is able to move into a home of her own, Yasemin is relying on friends  who allow her to couch surf. Please contact Yasemin directly if you are able to offer temporary sleeping accommodations or especially bath or shower facilities.

THANK YOU!

Thank you very much for your consideration! Your donations will make an immediate difference, and will help to keep Yasemin safe and healthy until additional resources become available. Your timely assistance is very much appreciated.