The LaMonica Family

Ellenton, FL
$500.00 raised of $3,330.00
Mortgage/Rent $2,850.00
18%
3 months
Utilities - Phone $480.00
0%
3 months
ShareTweetShareEmail
    Name
    Ashley LaMonica
    Injury/Illness
    Mental Illness

    I always knew I saw the world in a different way. This was especially true during my 17 years as a child protection social worker, when I went above and beyond to keep families together.  My differences seemed to help me perform, but at some point I ended up in a relationship with a man that took advantage of me in the worst ways.

    Through out these 10 years, with this man/predator,  I started to notice hurtful things he had done like taking control of all my accounts - financial and otherwise. Worst of all, I found evidence that he hid cameras all over the house and bathroom to sell explicit videos of me on the Internet. I finally left with the clothes on my back and never looked back, grateful to have left with my life.

    My life at this time was one of homelessness. You see, my frantic exit from my previous life was guided by voices in my head. These voices kept me on the move once on the streets. My only hope was to locate my mother and sisters for a safe place to lay my head - voices and all.

    I found myself wandering the urban desert of Phoenix, Arizona, for months transiently entering and exiting homeless shelters. Until I was brought to hospital for two months, as a result of exhibiting bizarre behaviors. Access to support in the hospital allowed me to reach out to my oldest sister.

    She put me in touch with my mother who was living with my middle sister in Florida. My mom and sister graciously brought me into their home and have been caring for me ever since no questions asked. I am truly touched by my family’s unconditional love, yet I am also touched by mental illness that places a huge strain on my family.

    For example, I am still unable to provide any financial assistance to alleviate their burden, since my social security disability claim remains tied up with red tape. I have also struggled getting my treatment, as I do not yet qualify for Medicaid. So I have ended up in the hospital twice since arriving to Florida in October 2019 for Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. Mental Illness is known to affect one in four Americans in this country.

    My family has homed me, as a family member & technically as a visitor under their lease restrictions due to Covid19. My Mother and sister continue to ensure my wellness by providing for my transportation, medication, and computer access for telehealth appointments, which provides a greater quality of life for me. They also, ensure my safety from the Covid19 Pandemic, which is impacting the entire World! I know this has been a financial struggle for my family’s low income and limited income.

    This past month of Aug 2020, I was hospitalized due to my mental illness, my mother was hospitalized at a different hospital with Cardiac issues and my sister was hospitalized at yet a different hospital Covid19 related. My sister has been unable to work as an Essential Worker since July 31st. She will be returning to work Sept. 2nd 2020.

    I feel extremely blessed to feel safe, loved and have a roof over my head, but without question or doubt we are facing some extreme financial difficulties due to ALL of our hospitalizations this month.

    In short, I see myself as Charlotte, as in Charlotte’s Web children story written by E.B. White. Like Charlotte I am spinning a web-banner, so the world will know my family is “terrific”, “radiant” and “humble” and deserve to be saved like Wilbur. As I, too, like Charlotte feel a huge gratitude for my family inviting me into their home and making their love known.

    I do know we need help bouncing forward, and any assistance would touch my heart and those of my family.

     

     

    There are no family updates.