Hi there. I'm Cynthia. I have been living with roommates for 10 years as an adult, now age 53. It was a decade ago that housing costs exceeded my ability to pay for on my own so I was forced to live with strangers I met on Craigslist. It's probably needless to say this didn't go well for me.

I've been permanently, physically disabled for 20 years and, since I became disabled so young, I wasn't able to pay much into the system, so I don't get much to live on. After 10 long years of living with people who've abused, neglected and stolen from me, I'm exhausted, in debt and barely getting by. I developed breathing and digestive issues from the stress that cost me 50 pounds and I now struggle to keep enough weight on. I often have asthma attacks when I eat foods that trigger gut inflammation. I've had no less than 12 doctors helping me to manage my symptoms, So far, the only diagnosis is Leaky Gut Syndrome, caused by excessive and prolonged stress from living in poverty and being traumatized.

I've been sick for 5 years and have had to move 5 times despite this. I've lost 90% of my belongings and have had to replace some of it but most of it I've had to live without. Not so, in my own apartment. I need help. I don't have family. I'm on my own in this world. So, here I am.

The reason this is an emergency is that I cannot escape the abuse of roommates without financial help. I must live alone so I can heal from this trauma. I've barely survived so much emotional, physical and sexual abuse and it's affected my ability to function in the world, worsening my disability and health. I fear I may never be able to earn a proper living if I cannot live in a safe place, free of this nightmare. It nearly killed me a few times.

As a result of the expenses of moving, replacing necessities roommates have stolen from me, and avoiding homelessness, my credit is ruined. I had to sell my car a few years ago when housing costs started to climb and this makes getting around difficult. I have no savings, and getting a mere $1248/month from Social Security to live on, times are very hard indeed.

It's been 15 years since I lived in my own apartment because the cost of housing is so high. I finally found one though! It's a tiny, 240 sq.ft., modest studio in a good neighborhood with shopping and bus service close-by, that I can afford, barely. The landlord likes helping the disadvantaged and only requires my income be 2.5x the rent, and it is, just barely, so I'm getting an amazing opportunity! I'm so incredibly grateful to have found this but I can barely afford to move in.

The problem is that it needs a lot of items to make it functional. A few things I'm going to need are:

Water Filtration System - My dysbiotic GI cannot handle the heavily chlorinated and fluoridated water in Albuquerque's tap water. I need a reverse osmosis system. The cost for delivery is $80/month, far too expensive for my budget.

Storage Shelves - There simply isn't enough in this tiny studio.

Freezer - The apartment comes with a dorm-size refrigerator with an insufficient freezer. I cook everything I eat and am not always well enough to cook so I need to be able to freeze food for easy preparation on these days.

Dish Drying Rack - It needs to be space-saving, over the sink, as this apartment is tiny. No dishwasher and almost no counter space.

Microwave Oven - Something basic, no frills, smallish.

Mirror - The only one is on the wall in the bathroom, and it only accommodates my face.

Lamp - The only light is on the ceiling in the kitchen area.

Shower Storage and Mat - It's a small shower stall with poorly done tile floor I'll need to cover to keep my feet safe.

And a few other essentials

My apartment won't be functional without these essentials. I have a registry list at Amazon. My Apartment Essentials

The total cost of all of the items on my registry list comes to $1,167, with tax. There's no way I can afford this on my own after paying for the deposit, 1st and last months' rent and truck rental. I've managed to raise $475 of this but that leaves $692 needed. $600 will suffice, if some items are bought directly from Amazon.

I'll be updating as the campaign grows. I'll post pictures and videos of the new place when I've moved in on February 16th, 2023.

I'm open to donations here as well as direct purchases from my Amazon registry list. Contact me for pertinent information like shipping address. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me through this platform.

Anything you can spare that gives you warm-fuzzies, even if just some words of encouragement, as I am extremely stressed-out, I will gratefully accept.

Thank you and have a wonderful day!

Cynthia