Safe Housing for Aden's Mold & Long-COVID Recovery

Aden West is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Hi all! This is Aden here, and I am humbly seeking financial support to secure safe housing as I am unable to work while I recover from Long-COVID, mold illness, chronic Lyme, and chemical sensitivity. (Please see the 'update' section below for information on how to send donations moving forward!)

People rarely understand how debilitating and life altering these conditions are because they haven't heard much about them. When someone says they have cancer, or MS we immediately understand the impact. So for those that don't know, these are incredibly complex conditions that are largely misunderstood and ignored by the mainstream medical community, making treatment difficult and extremely costly.

One of the main hurdles to recovery is finding safe housing that is mold and chemical free. I have been pursuing recovery from mold illness and chronic Lyme disease for almost four years now, and Long-COVID for over two of those years. Early on in this journey I lost all of my belongings and my car to mold contamination and have been doing everything I can to financially recover from that and heal on my own.

Because of the financial stress I continued to push through and try to keep my job. However the symptoms of these conditions progressed such that, as of April 2023 I was truly no longer able to work. My short-term disability benefits expired in June, and I was subsequently let go from my position and denied long-term disability benefits. Therefore I have no income.

Since I am running out of savings and can no longer afford housing, I will be moving into a small trailer and my Subaru Outback on February 4th. My mom has generously loaned me the money for this trailer until I can work again to pay her back.

Living out of a trailer will not only be more economical in the long run, since I do not know when I will recover enough to be able to work and afford permanent housing again, but it will hopefully also be a safer housing option that will help me get clear of mold and chemical toxins by living in close proximity to nature. Finding mold and chemical free housing is nearly impossible (the reason I can't move in with family) so I am hoping this is the solution my body needs.

We hit a major snag earlier this month when the first trailer we purchased was intolerable for the level of chemical sensitivity I experience (a side effect of mold illness). We both had already invested sooo much labor and money into this trailer, with many costs we cannot get back due to having to pivot and pursue another trailer.

HERE'S WHERE I NEED YOUR HELP!

I am at the point where the start up costs are just getting overwhelming, even though this will be the more economical long-term solution compared to renting. Please donate what you are able, and share this page with those in your life that are ~economically resourced~

HERE IS HOW THESE FUNDS WILL BE UTILIZED

Living costs such as food, essentials, and campground fees for when I need access to electric to run heat or A/C.
Out of pocket medical costs for treatments for these conditions, as they are not covered by insurance.
Purchasing & installing a heating system in the trailer. The trailer we purchased, which is built for mold and chemical sensitivity, does not come with heat, and I need a heating system that will not cause condensation in the aluminum trailer.
Costs for movers to move my belongings into storage, monthly storage fee to store my belongings, monthly storage fee to store the first camper until we can sell it.
All of the start up costs! There are so many things I have had to purchase for this trailer, because unlike the first one, this is bare bones with nothing in it. That means buying everything from a stove, to a mattress, to a water system, etc. I have an excel tracker and am happy to share specific costs. We have already spent over $8k in start up costs in addition to the trailer itself.
I may increase the goal in the near future, because the start up costs are really adding up. I am just battling inner shame around asking for financial help in this way!

I appreciate every bit of support more than I can adequately express. I am going to be thinking of ways to show my appreciation for y'all, and once things are settled I hope to share the love in return.