To keep my life and Bella's safe we need help

I'm Renee Scalise, as you may have read or heard our life had become a desperation story.

3 weeks living homeless in a tent surrounded by Heroine and meth users, sleepless nights and continuous fear. Those around me offered help, acting concerned for me since it was so clear I didn't know how to live homeless. I was abused, manipulated and traumatized.

How? I had one thing they didn't, a car. I wanted to be helpful, over rides even allow some to use my car without me in it. Yes, foolish, but in that environment, anyone acting like they cared about me gave me a false sense of friendship. I am easily manipulated, due to mental illness.

My Reverend from Unitarian University stepped in. In my conversations with she was quick to notice I lost the ability to rationalize and make decisions.

She found me a temporary place to live, spoke with the renter and took me to see the space and screen the renter. The space is on a month to month basis. I feel vulnerable for it was the month to month contract that I lost my home of 6 years to.

I've been here 2 weeks, trying to recover from all the trauma.

Why am I seeking help?

The rent is $600 a month. The antiques I sold are gone. I am trying to help myself through art.

With my neck and back both needing surgery it takes me longer to finish projects. I started working with clay. I'd love to get a SC retail license so I can sell at festivals and such instead of flea markets.

I'm using air dry clay which is not very durable. I'd love to have a kilm and the needed paints for firing. I believe what I'm working on is truly beautiful.

I also make jewelry, always watching the trends.

I paint, I've even turned paw prints into flowers.

I have so many ideas.

My mental health issues also causes me set backs. ADD makes it hard to finish, OCD makes me correct things to perfection. Anxiety has me question my art, that know one will buy it. MDD can shut me down for days at a time.

I finally have my exam scheduled with SSDI on May 1st. It's been almost 2 years that I had filled. I've looked up how long it takes to get an answer from the exam. There is no definitive timeline. What I do know is once approved I will not receive my first SSDI payment for 6 months.

There is no question from my 6 doctors or my lawyer about my disabilities.

I'm asking for your help so Bella and I can stay safe. Your help would go towards:

* our rent

*gas money to sell at flea markets.

* dog food, flea tick prevention

* art supplies, drying shelf

* personal hygiene

* laundry

* mattress for back support

I'm very hopeful that I'm on the last leg of the SSDI approval.

My goal is to get affordable housing, I am on a waiting list. Rejoin society by getting the surgeries I need in order to have a better quality if life.

Please if you can help share my stories, I'd be grateful. Any help for my self and Bella will help us get to permanent safety and move forward.

Thank you for reading this post.

With love,

Renee and Bella (woof)