Surviving DV is a long haul. Escape is just the beginning. Family court has cost me about $15,000 so far, not to mention the unmeasurable abuse that occurred because I thought I couldn't afford a lawyer at the beginning. There's another $1,654 bill due this week. It won't end until the court guarantees us long-term safety. And until then, our lives are on hold. My credit is stretched so thin, I can't even independently qualify for car insurance. This is not where I thought I'd be at 37 years old. But learning how to ask for help, over and over, to as many people as possible, has shown me what a caring community can do for its most vulnerable members. Dozens and dozens of people have shown up for us in countless ways, not just with life-changing financial support. And I am breaking generational curses that my mother and grandmother never could. We are so close. Monthly gifts are especially key for us right now, because they help me focus on caring for my child instead of stressing about bills. Love you all so much 💞 Thank you for reading, and being on our team. Every boost helps us widen our reach! https://chuffed.org/project/replace-our-car https://ko-fi.com/natsmith (set up a monthly gift here!) cashapp $natsmith89 DM for Zelle info Monthly gifts: 50/1000 #helpfolkslive2026 #mutualaid #mutualaidrequest #fundraising #transmutualaid #trans #lgbtq #lgbtqia #genderfluid #disabled #disabledmutualaid #chronicallyill #disabledfundraiser #disability #parenting #queermutualaid #queer #support #fundraiser #crowdfunding #crowdfund #transgender #queercrowdfund #help #urgentmutualaid #urgenthelp #emergency #emergencycrowdfund #bills #dv #domesticviolence #survivor #survivors #intimatepartnerviolence #ipv #abuse