In May 2025, my dog became incredibly sick a month after we moved into a new house. I had my first asthma attack the same month. By December, I was finding mold spores on everything from furniture to clothing, kitchen essentials to craft supplies, and appliances to food.

I moved out in March and left behind almost everything. I brought a few items of clothing, essential electronics like my work computer and phone, and a few carefully remediated keepsakes. I knew it would take a long time to rebuild my life, but it seemed like the safest path forward. Renter's insurance only covers mold resulting from a covered event, so I haven't been able to recoup any of my costs. My dog requires prescription food and medication to recover from the lingering effects of the exposure.

My dog and I also have lingering health effects from mold exposure. He needs prescription food, medications and has developed severe anxiety from that much time being sick. I'm confident he'll make a full recovery, but in the meantime, these are additional expenses alongside the two inhalers a day I need as my lungs recover.

When you think about starting over, you think about things in categories. It doesn't seem like a lot when you imagine buying a new wardrobe, a bed, or new dishes and plates. But when you move into an empty white box, it gets very overwhelming. You realize you don't just need bathroom towels, you also need soap and a toothbrush and a shower caddy and ibuprofen. You buy a pot to make dinner and realize you don't have Tupperware or plastic wrap for leftovers. Your limited clothes wear out much faster from constant washing. You go to relax after work only to remember you've lost the craft supplies and books you've spent a decade collecting.

I thought I'd be able to get back to a reasonable standard of living in a few months. As I get further into the process, it's clear it will take much longer. I started a new job after 2 years of unemployment last year. This has stretched my already precarious finances to the limit.

I appreciate anything you can give or even just sharing this page. Even if you can't give, address any moisture in your home immediately and add riders to your insurance policy for water intrusion. Mold doesn't seem serious until it is, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.