💔 The Journey to Sacramento (2022)
- In 2022, I fled the Bay Area after being human trafficked, brutally raped, and sold for $33,000.
- The trauma led to me contracting Syphilis and HIV.
- Upon arriving in Sacramento, I became homeless due to the lack of programs for transgender male-to-female individuals like myself.
❤️ Finding Support Amidst Struggle
- In June, I met and married my husband, who is navigating dual schizophrenia. I married him because he stood by me and helped me through the toughest ordeal of my life.
- We have been navigating life in a tent, facing the extreme challenges of mental health crises, addiction (mine and my husband's), and homelessness.
🚨 The Health Crisis (Late 2024)
- November 2024: I became very sick. My blood pressure hit 200, leading to a hospital visit.
- While admitted, a doctor informed me I have cancer.
- I was released with a renal assessment bag attached to my back for drainage.
- Simultaneously: My husband overdosed on fentanyl and was admitted to intensive care.
- We lost our camp, and despite my cancer and other illnesses, I could not get help from the county.
💪 Fighting Back (2025)
- March 2025: I got clean and decided to fight for my life, separating temporarily from my husband to focus on my health.
- April 2024 (Recount): I was violently attacked, my tent was slashed, and my dog, Duke, was kicked and hit by a car. Despite having neuropathy due to HIV, I fought them off.
- My blood pressure dropped severely seeking help at a non-profit, leading to a month-long hospital stay. I lost everything again.
- After the hospital, I found shelter at Volunteers of America Open Arms (HIV shelter), where I started therapy and regained my health and self-respect.
🌈 Current Progress & Advocacy
- I am currently clean and focusing on recovery.
- My husband is now 3 months clean and receiving mental health services.
- We are temporarily sheltered in tiny houses specializing in behavioral mental health.
- I am a board member of the HIV committee that allocates funding for local non-profits.
- I volunteer at the places that helped me, working hard on healing my trauma.
🙏 Urgent Needs & Surgery Preparation
I am scheduled to have my right kidney removed at UC Davis in December. I am scared and have no financial resources. I am seeking to raise the $2,000 goal to ensure I can recover safely and provide for my family.
Specific Needs:
- 🍎 Food & Nutrition: Help ensuring myself, my husband, and my fur baby, Duke, have access to healthy, nourishing food for recovery.
- 🚶♀️ Medical Equipment: Funding for a walker to aid mobility after surgery, especially given my neuropathy.
- 🚗 Transportation: Essential help getting to and from the surgery and follow-up appointments at UC Davis.
- 💊 Essentials: Funds for necessities during the recovery period.
I am asking for help because I care deeply for my husband and Duke, who have both been there for me.
