Saturday Nov 8th

I'm having issues finding housing. I am looking but the obstacles are real. Josh, my love, has been gone for 22 days now. Everything is a struggle, I've not had time to process or grieve. There is so much going on.

Update: Monday, October 20th 2025

On Friday, October 17th my partner passed away. I am more lost than I ever was as this gfm was started for us both. I have a hard time looking at this page but I will keep it open.

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Hi, my name is Megan — you may know me as ibot. If there’s one thing I’ve tried to hold on to through everything, it’s resilience. I’ve kept going no matter what, showing up for my clients as a behavioral therapist and for my family, even when it felt impossible. I believe in healing, in second chances, and in the power of community.

On July 7th, 2025, my life changed in an instant. I lost everything in a house fire. There was no homeowners insurance, and in a single night I was left with nothing but the clothes I had on and what was in my car.

That night is burned into my memory. I drove my partner to the hospital for a medical emergency while our home was still standing. When I returned about an hour later, the street was blocked off and my house was on fire. The cause was ruled “unknown origin,” possible arson. I was told to leave the scene, to rest, to go elsewhere. On the way to get gas, my car broke down, and I sat stranded on the side of the road — smoke in my rearview mirror, the gas station lights just out of reach. For hours I sat there waiting for AAA.

The very next day, I still went to work. I showed up for my clients — children who’ve lived through their own trauma — even though I had just lost everything. And I’ve kept showing up for them every day since, even while homeless. My work gives me purpose and reminds me that healing is possible, but the truth is, I’ve been carrying more of my own trauma and struggle than most people will ever know.

I commute about 2 hours one way a day for work, 4 hours total. The long stretch of the desert leaves me always in my mind, going over every detail.

And it hasn’t just been my clients. I also do crisis intervention and have supported friends through their darkest moments — mentally and emotionally — even while I’ve been going through this fire, displacement, and debt myself. I’ve been holding the line not just for me, but for everyone around me who needed someone steady.

Since the fire, I’ve lived in survival mode. I’ve stayed at the hospital, in my car, at a friend’s, and now in a camper. My car is falling apart. I’ve advanced more money than I even make just to cover gas, power, food, and the bare basics. I’m now carrying debt I never had before the fire.

And I haven’t just been fighting for myself — I’ve been supporting my partner through recovery after the burn ICU, and doing everything I can to stay present for my son while he stays with family. Even in the middle of all this, I’ve been holding on for the people who need me.

I’ve documented everything — confessions from the neighbor, the robbery before the fire, the harassment and rumors online afterward. Instead of support, my neighbors made things harder, and even strangers on the internet have tried to stop me from getting help.

Through it all, I kept going. I worked, dug through ash at the property, and leaned on the kindness of friends, family, and strangers who quietly stepped in to help.

The reality now is that I’m at a crossroads. I can’t qualify for housing because I let bills slip just to survive. Every paycheck vanishes into keeping my car running, gas to get to work, power, food, and trying to chip away at debt.

I don’t want to live like this anymore. I don’t want to just survive. I want to rebuild.

The funds from this GoFundMe will go toward essentials that keep me alive and moving forward — car repairs, gas, food, power, and relief from the debt that’s been crushing me. This support will mean I can finally breathe, focus, and start piecing together a stable life again.

If you can donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you can’t, even sharing this page helps more than you know.

I’ve been carrying more than most people ever should, but I still believe in hope. I still believe in rebuilding. And with your help, I can rise from all of this and finally move from survival into stability.

— Megan

Photos: taken by neighbors the night of the fire and by myself in the aftermath.

How Funds Will Be Used

Car repairs and maintenance

My car is my lifeline. It’s how I get to work (a long round trip commute), pick up essentials, and stay mobile. Repairs and upkeep are urgent because the car is already falling apart.

Gas for work commute

Fuel is what allows me to keep showing up for my clients every day. Support here directly keeps me employed and connected.

Power and utilities

Keeping the lights and basic utilities on in the camper so I can live, eat, and rest without constant crisis.

Food and daily living essentials

Groceries, toiletries, and other day-to-day needs that keep me steady enough to continue working and taking care of my family.

Debt relief

Since the fire I’ve had to advance more than I make just to survive — covering gas, food, and temporary shelter. Easing this debt will stop the cycle of barely treading water and give me space to rebuild.

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Every contribution directly fuels one of these essentials, helping me move from survival to stability.