Hi, our names are Tess and Lilya, and we're campaigning to help fund our move to safety. We are both trans and disabled, with Lilya being solely reliant on medical machinery and medication to survive, while also being unable to work due to health complications. We currently live with Tess' family but due to several issues ranging from racism directed at Lilya's Indigenous heritage, and extreme ableism to the point of family members maliciously throwing away medical supplies and blocking proper treatment, living here is far from safe for us. We have tried several times over the past two years to move out, and every time it has been blocked by the same abusive family members that hate Lilya merely for existing. Community and government assistance aren't an option for us, as Tess' family are highly regarded in this area and any attempt to bring attention to their actions would both make things worse, and burn bridges we cannot afford to burn, as we are not yet able to stand on our feet alone. Because of that, this is our last chance for the foreseeable future to escape this household and its danger, and it's one we desperately need to take, even though we aren't yet able to support ourselves financially, or sever reliance on Tess' family, quite yet. Tess is currently our only source of income while Lilya fights with the Social Security Administration about Disability, and even then the income isn't much and the help gained from her family, though it comes with strings, is the only thing keeping us from being homeless and carless, for instance. So we have to be as careful as possible with how we handle our move, and the subsequent attempt to escape their abuse, and control.
Due to that, we are looking for help funding a year's worth of bills, so we can move somewhere far safer (though still physically close and partially under family control) and not be in constant danger and abuse as we try to find our footing once more. It will be far easier to rest and find proper income when we aren't always having to watch our backs, hide live-saving equipment, or smuggle food into our own house because family members are intentionally starving us.
Our expected fund breakdown is as follows, with household expenses being half of their full cost, as we will be living with a roommate (one of Tess' cousins, in a house another cousin owns, though both are far better than the family we currently live with):
-$800 for rent
-$100 for power/electricity
-$35 for internet
-$316 for our car note
-$105 for our phone bill
-$500 for various medical expenses (this is the higher end of what expenses could be monthly, but is being overly cautious as we are not able to support this ourselves. Some of these expenses include: copays, medication, out of pocket medical supplies, etc)
-$40 for trans healthcare (a monthly copay that covers all of the clinic fees and then all we are left paying for is medication and any necessary testing)
-Any remaining money left from the monthly amount would be delegated for potential miscellaneous expenses/emergencies we may not be able to cover ourselves with Tess' small paycheck, while we get back on our feet (some examples of these expenses include: car maintenance such as oil changes, unexpected fees from non-medical sources, pet expenses such as vet trips and medications, and household maintenance)
Our current expected move date is sometime early or mid April, and we would really like help with at least two months of bills by then, if at all possible.
We're well aware this is a lot to ask of anyone, but we wouldn't be doing so if getting out of this house weren't truly a life or death situation for Lilya specifically, and if friends hadn't convinced us to do so.
We truly appreciate any help anyone could offer. Please know it means the world to us.
Many Thanks,
Tess and Lilya.
