I want to start out by saying that this is something I would never normally do. It is extremely hard for me to admit I need help, let alone ask for it but these last few months have been extremely difficult on me and now it is affecting my cats. I will try my best to summarize as my story is extremely lengthy and somewhat triggering:

My name is Jessica, I am 24 years old. I was recently diagnosed with CPTSD stemming directly from being homeless from the ages of 14-18. Along with CPTSD, I have also been diagnosed with manic episodes, severe depression and chronic anxiety. I have a lot of trauma that I endured growing up with two immigrant parents that did not speak English; this including a severely alcoholic father who also had a very grave gambling addiction that led to our homelessness, and an undiagnosed bipolar OCD stay at home mother. I can guarantee that even the people who have known me for years don’t know this information. I have managed to gain my life back after abruptly leaving my household three months after I turned 18, specifically the day after I graduated high school because my father decided to hit me in the face. I have always been an independent person, severely embarrased to ask for help. I’ve been able to hold several jobs these last few years, buy myself my very first used car, learn to drive, rent my own apartment, and even graduated college with a Bachelors degree.

Unfortunately, not all good things last.

I waited over a year for an amazing job opportunity that I had been waiting on to start and shortly after I started working there, I was verbally abused, harrassed, pushed out of work and then fired under false accusations. This was in May 2025.

Since that day, every job I have tried to hold has been an absolute mental battle. I have suffered from several panic attacks and breakdowns resulting in me being unable to continue working. I went back to therapy and realized that I might also be bipolar, like my mother is. Due to being in and out of work for months now, my mental health has declined and so has my bank account. I find it extremely hard to maintain a job but even harder to be unemployed, knowing the relationship I have with being scared for my life of being homeless again. That fear is becoming true. I used all my savings to afford paying rent and other utility bills the last two months but now I am completely drained. 

Now: I had a sudden overnight emergency with my emotional support animal, Soup. Soup woke up with tremors, an uneven walk, shaky legs, vomiting, and lethargy. Originally, the quote given to me was 1,008$ for the vet visit, blood work, x-rays and proper medication. I immediately broke into tears and explained I could not afford that. The total was brought down to the exact amount I could afford, which was all I had left in my bank account. I don’t know what I am asking for. But i cannot lose Soup. I cannot focus on going back to work and making ends meet when the reason I am still breathing and alive is currently sick and injured and suffering. I know this is an extremely lengthy story and half the details arent even listed. I cannot go back to work right now and I legally do not qualify for unemployment, nor disability. I am actively trying to get excessive paperwork that would deem my mental health issues a good enough reason to get disability. But please.

My rent is 1,800$ a month and I am asking for 3,600 for two months covered. I do not expect anything. From someone who physically hates asking for help, I am asking now. I need to watch over my cat and also be able to use all my doordash money or ubereats earning money on her medication. 

Any further questions, I am happy to answer. I don’t vent and I don’t know how to feel sharing all of this personal information, but I am desperate. Anything helps.