This Lisa’s story:

My life changed the day i had my stroke over ten years ago. From the moment the first physical therapist said, “You’ve got your core- you can come back,” I’ve fought. Learned how to walk again three times, came back from a heart attack, and a horrible car accident that put me in the hospital for a month. The daily struggles are frustrations with many of the small things of life- dressing and cooking, getting shoes on and off, arthritis in my knee, falling occasionally - and worrying that I’m a bad cat mother. But the cats also keep me sane.

Working with kids in children’s theatres was my profession and my life. A friend who teaches at local school was so welcoming and allowed me to assist with shows, but now i get really tired and mobility issues keep me from doing much of any consequence. I feel that loss greatly. And now i can’t drive at night. I’m is fortunate enough to be able to take myself to doctor appointments and to get haircuts or go out to the occasional lunch. I’m as independent as i can be for now.

The larger frustrations now are day to day- living on social security and my tiny pension. I needs to move from an apartment complex where I’m happy living independently with some disability needs met but where rent has risen exponentially year over year.

Due to the car accident, i got a decent settlement that supplemented my monthly income. But it’s dwindled now, and I’ve been looking for a more affordable place to live. Nothing is out there - walk in showers are rare, some neighborhoods are not workable, in unit washers and dryers jack up the rent, and I really can’t schlepp laundry to a laundromat.

It is ridiculous that my check comes at the 3rd of the month, I pay rent and light gas and water, then I have maybe a couple of hundred extra to last the whole month for groceries, car insurance, gas and everything else. I should apply for section. 8, but I have no idea how to navigate all the hoops one just has to jump through to put assistance into place. I remember how much crap we had to go through to apply for disability right after the stroke. Luckily again, my cognitive abilities were not compromised by the stroke, but bureaucracy is often beyond me anyway. Seriously how does the government expect someone to survive on a monthly check of about $1100 when rent is up to over $900? The math doesn’t math.

As much as I hate feeling so vulnerable, I had to learn how to articulate my needs and ask for help. I crossed the rubicon the other day and asked an uber driver just passing by if he could help me. Curbs scare me and sometimes walking to the car in wind freaks me out. My body just freezes from fear of falling. So this lovely man took my hand and walked with me to the car. I felt foolish, but had to do it. I fell rather badly at home a couple of weeks ago and the paramedics had to come haul my butt off the floor..

My lease renews in April and I am looking on lots of websites for workable places to move.

I am ok. For right now. But flying through the air without a net. I need a net.

If you are able, each donation would provide me with greater safety and the ability to live my life more easily.