Dear friends in Stratford, Ontario, and all those far and wide: my name is Ruth Barrett, and I have made my home in downtown Stratford for the past 16 years. I write audio description for TV, film, and live theatre for the blind and partially-sighted, including dozens of productions at our own Stratford Festival, and also write my own fiction. I am grateful to have a profession that allows me to help people, and I also work from home, which is perfect given my physical limitations.

I have been dealt a shocking double-blow over the past couple of weeks. Living with chronic rheumatoid arthritis, my health has slowly declined over the years, but lately I have developed some potentially serious pulmonary issues which also puts great stress on my heart. Following a panicked call to 911 and several hours spent at the ER, I am currently waiting for more medical tests, and to be seen by specialists. I hope we can discover the root cause and get things under control with medication. I have some worrying symptoms that rarely let me forget about it, but I am a fighter and have overcome worse odds in the past.

Bad enough, but now there's more...

Last week, I was given the news that I have to move out of my beautiful beloved home (and office space) of 16 years. I have no choice, since the landlords need to take over my unit to expand from next door and make room for their growing children. Yes, they can. Yes, it’s legal. Yes, they have City planning permission. Yes, they are very, very contrite. Nothing to be done. Officially, I have until April 30th. I swear I felt the floor collapse beneath my feet. There were tears on both sides. They are good people who have exhausted all other alternatives. We are both in a bind, and that is just the way of things.

But I am heartbroken, literally and figuratively.

I have to get this right the first time. I cannot afford to move again— it's a disaster for my finances, and dangerous to my health. The rental market in Stratford is near-impossible. I have a mere handful of possibilities from which to choose—some yet to be seen, some discounted for being unfit for purpose, and one that is completely perfect and absolutely tailor-made for me… but a stretch financially.

I need a 2-bedroom flat or a large 1-bedroom with a den. I have an indoor-only cat, and Dreyfuss is non-negotiable. I do not smoke and have always been a dream tenant. No car, so I don’t need parking. Stairs are a problem now, so a ground-level place or an elevator is required. Laundry in the unit or on-site. I walk (slowly) everywhere, so I need to be in the Stratford core or downtown-adjacent. I have Team Ruth on the hunt (including some real estate connections and a friend at the Festival Accommodations Office), but if you have any ideas, PM me. I’m all ears.

All of this will be expensive.

I live on my own and I paddle my own canoe. I just put what little extra money I had to spare into my paltry RRSP last week, and that very afternoon I found out I must move. I cannot take on any more debt. There is not much time to deal with all that I have on my plate. I need first/last for the new place, and all the various moving expenses mount up quickly. Meantime, I need to sort out everything I possess and purge far too much, all while being careful of my health and continuing to work full-time. I will have to downsize to smaller furniture. Ideally, I’d like to start a small buffer fund that I can add to every payday so I don’t end up eating Kraft Dinner for the rest of my days. But the most immediate need will be for the move itself.

I am sick and scared and exhausted. I am sad and stressed. I can barely lift a box. And it doesn't help my spirits to witness the wider-world falling apart in countless unimaginable ways. There is such terrible pain everywhere we look, and I feel helpless to do anything about any of it. But right now, I have my own personal double-emergency to deal with, and I very much need help. It is so difficult to ask, but sometimes we need our community when faced with such troubles.

Thank you for reading this. I know it’s a lot. And to all those who have already reached out with concern, offering love and donations and moral support, practical assistance with the physical move, and helping to spread the word, I am deeply moved and appreciate you more than you can ever know.