Support for Paulina, disabled writer, artist and activist

Paulina's long time friend Steve Rappaport writes,

"Support Paulina: A Lifelong Advocate and Writer Facing Challenges

For over five decades, Paulina has been a passionate advocate, writer, and creative force. Her work has shed light on critical issues such as the complex interplay between technology and culture, traumatic brain injury, and the environmental impacts of spraying insecticides on farms, wildlife, pets, and human health. Through books, magazine articles, theater, art projects, and advocacy, Paulina has consistently sought to make a difference in the world around her.

A Life Defined by Purpose and Perseverance

Paulina's career has been characterized by a deep commitment to meaningful work, often at the expense of financial stability. As a freelancer, she navigated the uncertainties of irregular income, lack of benefits, and the constant stress of an unpredictable work environment. Despite these challenges, Paulina's drive to contribute to important conversations and effect positive change remained unwavering.

What many don't see are the invisible disabilities that have profoundly impacted Paulina's life and work:

• Chemical sensitivities that limit her ability to work in traditional office environments or shared living spaces

• A progressive neuroimmune disorder that affects her daily functioning

• Cognitive challenges resulting from a traumatic brain injury

These conditions have created numerous obstacles in Paulina's personal and professional life, from finding suitable housing to maintaining steady employment. Despite and because of her sharp intellect, trenchant observations, and quick wit, the reality of her disabilities has often been difficult for others to see.

No government aid has ever been available to her; invisible and hard-to-understand disabilities don't fit any county, state, or federal guidelines.

In 2024, she lost her longtime situation as a live-in property manager, where she exchanged the duties of being an Airbnb Superhost in return for free rent.

Paulina’s hope and goal is to find a new situation where she can healthfully stay long-term and/or manage a property in exchange for rent.

A Precarious Situation

Today, Paulina faces her challenges entirely alone. With no living family members and no partner, she must depend solely on herself for support—a particularly daunting situation given her health challenges and work limitations. The passing of her family members left her without both an emotional support system and a financial safety net. While she received a small inheritance, those resources have been carefully used over the years to sustain herself and her work; they are now depleted.

Paulina has been fortunate to receive occasional gifts from caring individuals in the past. However, these sporadic acts of kindness, while deeply appreciated, are not enough to provide the long-term stability she urgently needs. The combination of her health challenges, lack of family or governmental support, and dwindling financial resources has created a perfect storm of vulnerability.

Adapting to a Changing Landscape

The writing and publishing world that Paulina thrived in during the 1990s has undergone significant changes. Publications like early-days Wired, where she found artistic freedom and a platform for her unique voice, have evolved or disappeared. The corporate work that once subsidized her creative projects has dried up, leaving Paulina struggling to find her place in a rapidly changing industry.

A Call for Support

Given Paulina's precarious situation, we're reaching out to you, our community, to help provide her with the financial stability she urgently requires. Her disabilities make it challenging to adapt to new work environments or retrain for different careers. Moreover, traditional support systems and low-income housing options are often incompatible with her health needs, further complicating her circumstances.

Your support will allow Paulina to:

1. Secure safe, chemically neutral housing

2. Cover essential medical expenses

3. Maintain a basic quality of life

4. Potentially continue her advocacy work and writing, health permitting

By contributing to this fund, you're not just addressing Paulina's immediate needs—you're stepping in where family support is no longer available. Your generosity will help ensure that her lifetime of contributions can be sustained and her basic needs met.

Recognizing a Lifetime of Contributions

While we cannot change the past or guarantee fairness in how the world recognizes and rewards a person’s contributions, we can choose to support those who have dedicated their lives to making a difference. By contributing to this fund, you're not just helping Paulina meet her immediate needs—you're acknowledging the value of her lifelong efforts and the important perspectives she has brought to our cultural conversations.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant impact on Paulina's life and well-being. Thank you for considering this request and for any support you can offer."

If you like more details of some of Paulina's works, you can see her on Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulina_Borsook