I am a trans, agender individual living in a conservative state, and right now I don’t feel safe without the help of my family or a supportive community. I am disabled, and I am relocating to Portland, Oregon—a place with a more educated team of doctors who can assist me through my disabilities. It’s been my dream to move there for a decade, regardless of my circumstances, and thanks to werqt.org, my housing and relocation costs are covered, and I will be attending Portland Community College for health sciences/toxicology procurement & writing and poetry.

My parents will be terminating my lease in two months or less, so I need to relocate urgently. I am unable to work due to my pending SSI disability application, which makes this transition even more difficult. I am graciously asking for such a large donation request to support me until I am approved—which could take up to a year.

My disabilities are complex and urgent. I am dealing with a very aggressive case of disseminated shingles and am being refused treatment in St. Louis. Establishing care for this is the most important thing when I arrive in Portland. It’s imperative that I establish care with orthopedists, neurologists, a cardiologist, a psychiatrist, a therapist, and a primary care doctor before arriving, and the stress of this is taking a toll on me. I’ve had three ankle surgeries, the last being a partial failed replacement due to avascular necrosis. I was told by my orthopedic surgeon suggested that I undergo a life-altering limb-saving surgery to prevent amputation, or I would “never be out of pain,” and I'm not quite on board with it. I still need more answers. Furthermore, I was just diagnosed with cervical disc degeneration in my spine and peripheral polyneuropathy, both of which need answers and specialized care. This is not a complete list of my disabilities, but ones requiring care ASAP. Therefore, I am desperately seeking pain management as well.

My two disabled cats are coming with me. My babygirl has a rare congenital disorder called megaesophagus—her esophagus takes up a third of her body. It’s a miracle she’s 2 1/2 years old and healthy, but the stress of travel could be dangerous for her. If she gets too overwhelmed, she will vomit, and this increases her risk of death. I need to make this transition as smooth as possible for her comfort and safety, especially with her separation anxiety. My senior cat is 11 years old and has been with me through the toughest times. He struggles with aggression issues after being declawed as a kitten, but he’s a sweet and loving boy once you get to know him. He’s very adventurous, so I want to get him a tactical harness with patches stating he’s emotional support and that people need to ask before petting him, since he’ll be walking alongside me before we fly.

Funds raised will help cover food for myself and my cats, medications for us both, vet bills, medical bills, furnishings, new clothes, and extracurricular activities for myself. My cats are my reason to keep going, and their safety and comfort during this transition are my top priority. I also need help with shipping costs for some of my items. Any support means the world to us. Thank you for considering helping me and my little family.

Edit: I have discovered that I have been facing toxic mold in my apartment due to a negligent landlord for 4 months who believes I am fabricating that my HVAC is leaking. I now have a severe fungal infection that has systemically affected me; my kidneys will hurt so bad at times that I cannot walk or move, and I am breaking out in fungal lesions everywhere on my body. My apartment is reaching illegal temperatures in a ginormous heat wave due to the inability to run the AC. My cats are coughing, wheezing, and sneezing. We need out of this environment as soon as absolutely possible, and I have nowhere else to go. Please keep me in your thoughts.