Can You Help Veda?

Hi, my name is Aura, and I’m raising funds on behalf of Veda Taylor, a neighbor who has had a recent string of terrible luck and is struggling to stay afloat. She is always helping others in our community and was hesitant when I suggested a GoFundMe, as she has received help from the community for her sick cat in the past. In addition to having a myriad of health issues, she got into a car accident this week, which makes work, attending medical visits, and doing homeless outreach nearly impossible for her (more details below). Funds from this GoFundMe will go directly toward replacing her vehicle (or fixing it if it isn't considered totaled).

As you will read below, Veda is a photographer, and is happy to do mini-sessions (or full sessions) at Kubota Garden for your holiday/family/any photos! She also has posted extensively in the Rainier Beach community Facebook page in the past about her other skills (with the caveat that she currently doesn't have a car). If you are not a part of that group and would like this information, please let me know.

Thank you for considering helping her in whatever way you can. Below you will find some more information about Veda and her current situation, in case it's helpful.

"I have systemic Lupus, a brain tumor and PTSD. One of them is causing neurological issues and I am in and out of the hospital a lot. I have no family here and no family I can stay with if things fall apart. I have been fighting to keep my place and applying for everything I can while doing odd jobs. I’ve been doing homeless outreach (Blanketstothestreets.org) since 2014, and in 2020 it became an official nonprofit but I haven’t yet taken a salary from it. I am trying to find grants, but the health issues have kind of overwhelmed me.

I’m off and on chemo so my immune system is a mess. Getting Covid made everything get worse and the doctors are trying to figure out what is causing what. So, I’m applying for disability so that it’s in place when I have to do the brain surgery. But it’s a long process. Some days I can walk and move, some days I can’t. Lupus causes frequent fevers, which has made getting treatment for anything during the pandemic very difficult.

I also have a severe allergy to alcohol. If I breath the vapor in, I get hives and sometimes my throat will swell shut. I had an accommodation in place for a alcohol free work place before the pandemic but it’s not an option now because I can’t ask a whole room of people to skip hand sanitizer knowing they may get sick. But accidentally breathing the vapor in has landed me in the hospital, being epi penned more than once. So, just a mess medically and public spaces including busses are unsafe for me right now.

I love photography, moved here from DC because I fell in love with the land and lakes. https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChpIGxFFX9u/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

My most urgent need is fixing the car so that I have the option to continue looking for work and doing odd gigs, as well as safely getting to many doc spots. I have Sept rent through a program that assisted me with part, but I’m currently trying to figure out how to earn October etc. Meanwhile, I have 16 doc appts in the next 2 weeks alone."

Thank you for reading, and for your kindness.