Disabled & Independent: Moving Out
Donation protected
Who am I?
My name is Lisa. I am a 39-year old social justice activist, co-founder of the Transcending Boundaries Conference, a writer, a volunteer amateur historian, and animal lover (especially bunnies!) I live on Social Security Disability due to a fun little mixture of Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, PTSD, a Sensory Processing Disorder, and Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder), along with numerous side effects from the medications I take. I managed to earn my B.A. from UConn, work several jobs short-term, and secure a full scholarship to law school before my doctors ordered me to stop working or going to school full-time.
What do I need so much money for?
I need a safe place to live. Since going on Disability, I have lived with my parents in my ancestral home, but this has grown increasingly difficult. I love my parents and I love this house, but my parents' antique business frequently turns our house into a crowded warehouse - an OCD nightmare which has already resulted in one hospitalization. Also, treatment for my DID has left my childhood environment very triggering - I still live next to the house where I was sexually abused, and some of my younger personalities are terrified when they emerge at home, sometimes to the point of fainting, panic attacks, and worse. (They do much better elsewhere.) Even if I manage to get past all these OCD and DID triggers, my parents are aging, and plan to sell the house in the coming years.
Why am I not in disability housing?
I am trying to secure a senior/disability apartment through government sources, but all waiting lists close to my supports are currently closed. I was not selected for the Section 8 Housing waiting list. I continue to make calls and will eventually get onto a waiting list, but it will likely take years to obtain an affordable disability apartment. Until then, I hope to raise enough money to live for at least a year in a non-government controlled apartment while I wait, one that is in a safe area near my supports (family, doctors, friends, etc.)
How will the money I raise be used?
I plan to (hopefully) move in July or August. All money raised will go directly to rent, security deposits, and utilities, excluding cable. I am searching for studio or 1 bedroom apartments under $1,000/mo., which is below average for my area. Roommates are not feasible for me, unless I know them very well, due to my mental illness.
Why is this so important?
Being able to move out of the house and into a quiet, safe, private, and new environment will not only be extremely healthy for me psychologically, but also a huge leap forward in my life. I cry just thinking about what a positive difference it would make, and how incredibly difficult having my own apartment is to achieve. Without financial help, I cannot make this move, not until I get disability housing, and from my own search, I know this takes years. In my own town, I don't make ENOUGH money to be considered for senior/disability housing!! If I can afford, with the help of others, my own space while I wait for housing I can afford on my own, I will be overwhelmed with gratitude.
The system to take care of persons with disabilities and moderate to severe mental illness is incredibly inadequate. My friends will affirm that I hate asking for money, but when I have no other choice...I swallow my pride and ask. If you donate, anything at all, I will love you forever. Seriously. I will not forget such an incredible gift to help me live healthily. Your name will end up on a plaque or something.
Do you work at all?
I assist my parents with their antiques business, mostly in order to pay off existing bills. I am currently also working on a book of poetry, fiction, and diary excerpts describing my experiences as a "multiple", but I do not expect to see any profits from that for quite awhile, if ever! I am also working on a mental health blog, the link to which I will post as soon as it's live. In addition, I do volunteer work when I am able.
Feel free to respectfully ask any questions or provide suggestions!
My name is Lisa. I am a 39-year old social justice activist, co-founder of the Transcending Boundaries Conference, a writer, a volunteer amateur historian, and animal lover (especially bunnies!) I live on Social Security Disability due to a fun little mixture of Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, PTSD, a Sensory Processing Disorder, and Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder), along with numerous side effects from the medications I take. I managed to earn my B.A. from UConn, work several jobs short-term, and secure a full scholarship to law school before my doctors ordered me to stop working or going to school full-time.
What do I need so much money for?
I need a safe place to live. Since going on Disability, I have lived with my parents in my ancestral home, but this has grown increasingly difficult. I love my parents and I love this house, but my parents' antique business frequently turns our house into a crowded warehouse - an OCD nightmare which has already resulted in one hospitalization. Also, treatment for my DID has left my childhood environment very triggering - I still live next to the house where I was sexually abused, and some of my younger personalities are terrified when they emerge at home, sometimes to the point of fainting, panic attacks, and worse. (They do much better elsewhere.) Even if I manage to get past all these OCD and DID triggers, my parents are aging, and plan to sell the house in the coming years.
Why am I not in disability housing?
I am trying to secure a senior/disability apartment through government sources, but all waiting lists close to my supports are currently closed. I was not selected for the Section 8 Housing waiting list. I continue to make calls and will eventually get onto a waiting list, but it will likely take years to obtain an affordable disability apartment. Until then, I hope to raise enough money to live for at least a year in a non-government controlled apartment while I wait, one that is in a safe area near my supports (family, doctors, friends, etc.)
How will the money I raise be used?
I plan to (hopefully) move in July or August. All money raised will go directly to rent, security deposits, and utilities, excluding cable. I am searching for studio or 1 bedroom apartments under $1,000/mo., which is below average for my area. Roommates are not feasible for me, unless I know them very well, due to my mental illness.
Why is this so important?
Being able to move out of the house and into a quiet, safe, private, and new environment will not only be extremely healthy for me psychologically, but also a huge leap forward in my life. I cry just thinking about what a positive difference it would make, and how incredibly difficult having my own apartment is to achieve. Without financial help, I cannot make this move, not until I get disability housing, and from my own search, I know this takes years. In my own town, I don't make ENOUGH money to be considered for senior/disability housing!! If I can afford, with the help of others, my own space while I wait for housing I can afford on my own, I will be overwhelmed with gratitude.
The system to take care of persons with disabilities and moderate to severe mental illness is incredibly inadequate. My friends will affirm that I hate asking for money, but when I have no other choice...I swallow my pride and ask. If you donate, anything at all, I will love you forever. Seriously. I will not forget such an incredible gift to help me live healthily. Your name will end up on a plaque or something.
Do you work at all?
I assist my parents with their antiques business, mostly in order to pay off existing bills. I am currently also working on a book of poetry, fiction, and diary excerpts describing my experiences as a "multiple", but I do not expect to see any profits from that for quite awhile, if ever! I am also working on a mental health blog, the link to which I will post as soon as it's live. In addition, I do volunteer work when I am able.
Feel free to respectfully ask any questions or provide suggestions!
Organizer
Lisa Jacobs
Organizer
Middletown, CT
