Support Ray's Journey from Homelessness to Music

I am a shy musician, wanting to fulfill my destiny of sharing my gifts after an abusive first 30 years told me “No.”

Hi, I'm Ray. Ray Allison Shredder. My government name is still Rachel Allison Fogg, but I plan on changing it soon.

Some of my music (again I've been very shy about it so there's not much there yet):

https://youtube.com/@rachelfogg8943?si=Mqjqf2GA5XvIK7PM

I am asking for help as I am currently homeless, jobless, and living in my car with my cat. His name is Archie and he is my only family. I certainly would not still be here without him.

I say my only family because my family of origin is either dead or estranged. Most significantly, my mother (Gale Jenkins Fogg) passed in 2017 and my abusive father has disowned me and is enjoying his second life with his new family (wife, kids, grandkids, sharing it on social media.)

Venmo: @rachel-fogg

Cashapp: $RayShredder

Regarding current living situation:

Asking for: work, cash, food stamps, cat food

Located in Cincinnati OH but could theoretically hop wherever

I have been looking for work, mostly overnight jobs so that I can be with Archie in the car with the AC during the hot summer days. I did have a job teaching literacy at an elementary school for a few weeks this Spring, but I was fired when my company caught word that I left my car running in the parking lot (on a hot day to keep Archie from overheating as he had been.)

But I’m in the lovely rut of having a suspended license for at least a few more months, and most of the overnight jobs like direct care work require a current valid license. I have also been applying for grocery stores and fast food but have not gotten anything.

Driving record also rules out Doordash and etc which I lived on for a while previously.

Regarding my mom’s death and estate:

Asking for: legal help, advice for navigating medical and state records systems, cash

My mom’s death was always sketchy to me, including the fact that she “didn’t leave me anything in her will.” I have gathered some documentation and really want to get some Legal Aid in looking into her death and the history of her estate.

For instance, there are two recorded death certificates and the investigative and coroner’s notes were weirdly vague. She was cremated immediately, and my father scattered her ashes without inviting us.

Money-wise, she was a profit-sharing global industry leader at a massive international company. She had oodles of stock (in addition to property and sheer wealth) that I legally should have been entitled to, etc.

Yet, her only available will does not even mention her children or any specific assets, and gives 100% control to her husband, my father. The will was updated the year before she died.

I would of course love to get some of the inheritance that she promised me. She had her issues, but she directly told me that when she died I would get money and not have to worry about the things I’m dealing with now.

But other important information I’m looking for is her health records. She was an alcoholic, and had other genetic/unexplainable serious health issues. Whenever I ask about my mom’s health, my dad has always brushed it off as “it was all the alcohol.” When I know from my own experience that she was hospitalized for unrelated things when I was still at home.

I need to know her medical history because it is my medical history. I have been struggling with my own mental and physical health problems, and I need to know what I am genetically prone to or already have.

And I need to know her medical history because I need to know what happened to her. I have always kind of had the impression that she gave up on life. But I can’t sit with that. Her only listed cause of death is that “her heart stopped, unknown exact cause.”

Regarding my music:

Asking for: advice on getting up the courage to do open mics and street corners and stuff, where are some good open mics to perform at, good karaoke nights, recording equipment/studio, voice or guitar lessons, cash

Singing has always been my thing. From the time I was little til now as a middle aged vagabond, I’ve never stopped. But it was always made clear to me that it was a private pleasure. That it wasn’t worth anything. That I should be focusing on other things. That I was mediocre and shouldn’t bother with such things other than as a private hobby. My parents ingrained those thoughts in me and every time someone complimented my voice it was maybe a crack in the armor.

I lived in a tourist/party town in Florida for a bit a few years ago and people would come up to me at karaoke asking me why I wasn't doing it for money. I had tourists from Tennessee watch me sing Suds in the Bucket and other country songs and told me "you're in the wrong state."

I know I'm good, and I want to be able to share my passion in ways I've been too scared and self defeating to thus far.

I just need a hand up.