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Help Nicole get to Herb School

Hi, My name is Nicole. I'm a 35 year old queer/trans woman and 10 year resident of the SFBay Area. I need help raising money to pay for my commitment to the Blue Otter School of Herbal Medicine's 2018 certification program. (see bottom of post for details)

Why do I  need help? Well, In the last year in a half I have: been assaulted with a deadly weapon in a hate motivated incedent (an event which required hospitalization and two surgeries), and was attacked twice more in more 'minor' hate motivated incedents. In that time, I also lost 7 friends to either car accidents or the Ghostship fire. On account of all that stress, I relapsed into drug and alcohol abuse, and have been haunted by, and diagnosed with, complex PTSD, major depression, panic attacks, and major anxiety disorder. I have cried for 292 days in a row. My panic attacks are severe...they can last 10 minutes, to 4-6 hours...and I have recently required emergency psychiatric treatment for this and the suicidal ideation they trigger. I have not been able to pursue my work, show up fully for my studies at community college, or be an engaged participant in my community and personal life and projects in the way I used too on account of them and my other struggles. I've pretty much disappeared from most of my life, in trying to recover and reduce my triggers and stress. 
While I am supported by the most beautiful queer community that has ever existed...I am not supported by my parents or family, I don't have assets or trust funds, I don't have a bank account, and  I live in a house without electricity or running water that may be auctioned off in March. 
I am in a recovery program, I've been sober for 7 months, I have a wonderful (but expensive) therapist, I am an A student, and I continue to perservere in my apprenticeship in herbal medicine making, farming my herbal apothecary, being a freak and comic illustrator, and just trying to live my life with an open heart and not let trauma shut me down completely.
I just can't seem to save money enough to really feel secure that I'll have my tuition paid, and also have enough money to survive four months away from home, in a rural environment were I am a fish out of water, and trans to boot. 
There are many, many people struggling out there in these times, and I compell you to go to those in the most need, who suffer under extreme and injust intersections of oppression and marginalization, before offering me donations or help. But, if after that, you have a few dollars to throw in my flower pot, I am grateful for it, and hope to one day return the favor to you, or send that love back into the universe...so to speak. 
I also can offer you a free herbal consultation, a free potted california native medicinal plant, or one of my zines, as a token of my appreciation <3
Thank you so much, I wouldn't ask if I wasn't worried and concerned for my future. 

You can find out more about me at:
witchcraftapothecary.wordpress.com
and:
gotrespassing.wordpress.com
and more about my school at:
blueotterotterschool.com

xxxooo
-Nicole WitchHazel
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Donations 

  • todd Gilens
    • $40 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Nicole Witch-Hazel
Organizer
Oakland, CA
Kristen Hopper
Beneficiary

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