Mother Fighting for Her Child and Home

April 22nd I called the police due to domestic abuse. I needed help seeking refuge temporarily with my daughter. The police helped my daughter and I get to a calm and safe setting. I was encouraged to seek a restraining order first thing the following day.

The following day, I filed a restraining order and went before a district judge. My request was denied. The judge stated that a vacate order against me was filed the day prior, also for full custody of my daughter to go to my x. A few days later, my x and I were before a family court judge - the vacate order was explained to me and my restraining order denied again.

What I did not know at the time was that my x had spent the prior six months planning a narrative, manipulating my neighbors and mother, and gaslighting me to the point where I almost took my own life. He was waiting for the right moment to flip the switch and take everything. April 22nd he saw that opportunity, knowing I was occupied caring for our daughter.

Since, I have been homeless with my special needs dog. I have been hopping houses through the generosity of friends, and I sometimes live out of my car.

The court system is slow, and my x refuses mediation. I was accused of being an alcoholic, so I went on a breathalyzer 3 times a day for a month- clean. Then it was "drugs" or other legal substances, so I had a 90 day hair test done- clean. I am also on random drug and alcohol tests, for 2 months now- clean (3 months total of clean screens). Then it was my mental health, so I provided 20+ years of medical records- mentally stable.

My x has been in contempt of court every week since April. I have never received my full court ordered time with my daughter. I went from spending the majority of every single day with her for 2.5 years to almost nothing.

Due to an ongoing investigation, I cannot go further into the details of abuse.

I am working with a few organizations that help victims, my incredible lawyer, and the police.

Unfortunately due to the vacate order, I cannot access my home business. That was the majority of my income. I also lost my part-time job when I had to live out of my car, because I could not leave my dog in my car and I couldn't bring her to work at a restaurant. This also negatively impacted that employer as they had to rush to fill my absence.

Now today, my dog fell ill. We just left the emergency vet, she has pneumonia, likely from the stress and a weakened immune system. The vet said if she doesn't improve by tomorrow, she will need to go back to the hospital and possibly "end of life".

I previously raised about $6,000 through posting on my private Facebook account. I never could have imagined that the costs and escalation in events would hit the point they're at now.

I'm fighting for my life. My daughter, dog, home, career, health, everything is on the line.

I'm a mother, a public servant, hold multiple college degrees, own my own business, am an activist for LGBTQIA+/women/civil rights, a volunteer connecting pollinator corridors and teaching sustainability, and a homeowner.

But right now, for reasons I still can't comprehend (therapy is helping), I'm homeless. I'm unemployed. My parental rights are gone. My dog might not make it, and my car needs repairs.

I need help. I have to keep fighting. It has been 3 months and this is my last resort. Every dollar helps, trust me, it seriously does help.

Thank you for listening