Support Donato’s Runway to Recovery: SEA-LAX

Hi Friends,

Many of you know me as a community organizer, social activist, and sex worker. You may even know me as a performer, talk-show host, and actor.

I spent the past decade building a thriving life in Washington alongside some of the fiercest people I’ve ever known. In addition, I’ve helped build a lasting legacy of community care for my LGBTQ+ siblings for generations to come—one of my proudest accomplishments.

What most of you don't know - which I've only recently had to face head-on - are my struggles with mental health and addiction.

Years of my life were haunted by a series of unresolved trauma, coexisting with severe anxiety and crippling depression.

Surprise! It’s real.

I've bottled so much inside and developed a cunning nature towards drugs and alcohol use to conceal my pent-up devastation. There’s only so much a person can carry till their knees give out.

January of this year, I was completely leveled by anguish—a feeling I was becoming far too familiar with, far too often. I finally sought treatment. Rehab? I only knew that from TV shows and magazine headlines—How could I need rehab? I was THE Donato. The Go-Getter. The “Make Sh*t Happen”-er.

It took me a whole month to navigate systems to get the help I needed. I didn’t know what rehab would look like. I didn’t know if I would be there for six days or six months. All I knew was that I needed to put significant distance between myself, my abusers, my toxic environment—besides, a change of scenery and some much-needed sun couldn’t hurt.

Bam! Cue divine timing… On February 4th, 2022, I checked myself into a treatment center in Southern California, where I went through multiple levels of treatment—I faced demons I thought were normal behaviors, thoughts, and patterns and uncovered so much. It still astounds me how much self-love, restorative energy, and deep connectedness can be found when finally accessing therapy and in sobriety.

With this healing energy and putting my recovery first, I am making drastic changes in my life and need financial support.

In times of scarcity, I have historically performed sex work out of survival to meet unmet needs, which makes this ask for me that much more vulnerable and humbling because otherwise, that's what I would do.

I have faced enough trauma in my life that I refuse to return to survival sex work ever again. There’s much about my story I am not comfortable sharing, and I trust you will respect my privacy.

I've heard before that we must let go of who we were to step into who we are destined to become. In my commitment to lead a sober life, I’m accepting that everything needs to change, and with the fiercest clarity I have ever known and deepest spiritual connection I have ever felt, I am answering my call to be an Artist - to give new meaning, give new insight, give new language...gift the world my creative offerings.

(Not to sound boastful but the literal definition of my name, Donato, is "Given, Gift from God.")

I am in continuous treatment and have decided to make LA my new home, where I will pursue a career in the Performing Arts—a dream I have always held as a child but never fully nurtured.

I thought I might be able to keep my job and work remotely through a transitional period, but unfortunately, that is not an option and paid leave benefits have expired. So I am turning to my community for the help I need to manifest my big dreams with an open heart while prioritizing my recovery.

This is the first time in my life I am living on my own, and the uncertainty of my current circumstance can be terrifying at times, but if you know me well, you know I am an optimist, and when there is a will, there's a way.

I am ecstatic to be working with a talent agent to develop my Actors’ resume while pursuing gigs, but with everything going on, it will take some time to book gigs and earn any income again.

*Time to fasten your seat belt.*

In this transitional period, I need help to support the following costs:

Donations received will be applied to the specific area in the order listed above.

Any gift of any amount will go a long way in my recovery, and I’m super thrilled to welcome you to join me on this adventure. 

If you are able to give, you can give through GoFundMe, or you can give directly via PayPal (- @dfatuesi) or, Cashapp (- $dfatuesi).

I understand that times are tough for many of us, so here are a few other ways you can help:

I can’t wait to keep you posted on my recovery journey as the new ‘Valley Girl’ in town! I’ll be using GoFundMe specifically to share updates, and I hope you can stay connected! :)

Thank you for choosing to take this journey from Seattle to Los Angeles with me.    

There may be some turbulence on this flight. Please remember to put on your oxygen mask before helping the person next to you.

This is your Captain speaking, it’s time for takeoff! ✈️ 

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Cover Photo Description: Donato Fatuesi, the voice of Quincy Blueburger, the lead character of “Lego Harry Potter and the Transgender Witch,” takes direction from Logan Ellis, Theatre Battery’s producing artistic director, while recording voice-over for the final scenes of the stop-motion animation series. (Click here to read the full article )

Photo: Jovelle Tamayo / Special to The Chronicle