19 Comments
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JL Rigby's avatar

I'm extremely interested in learning more about starting a micro business! I don't think I can hold down a full time job, and I'd love some extra income. Currently just part time.

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NiftyKeisha's avatar

New here! This is a great post!!

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Kira Stoops's avatar

I am also sorry you're severe and dealing with astronomical rents. That makes everything so much harder. The program is no longer active but I do think there are loopholes in housing everywhere. Not common, but not impossible either! I will do a post about it soon.

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NiftyKeisha's avatar

Thanks so much for saying and sharing! My wife had become a wiz at finding supports but she hasn’t found anything else in relation to housing. It’s really great that you’re sharing info and will keep posted. Nice to meet you as well!

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Kira Stoops's avatar

Thank you so much. You asked a great question earlier, and I'd love to answer it: the housing support came out of funds for the CARES act that offered rental assistance and mortgage help to anyone whose income had lowered during the pandemic. It was not a hard program to qualify for, but it wasn't well publicized and a lot of the money was ultimately returned. I wasn't making six figures, but I remember being surprised that the upper limit was there!

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NiftyKeisha's avatar

Thanks so much! I didn’t know if I misread and so I deleted some of my initial comment. My wife and I did get some help from a pandemic program back in 2021 and again in 2022, not sure if it was this. I wasn’t functional at all so she handled everything.

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Willow's avatar

Really great post! If you ever want a guest writer to share their experiences carving out a life from disability my husband is an amazing writer. Neither of us had a safety net and somehow got here through grit, luck and hope. I always want people who feel like they have no options to know there are ways. Yes, it's really hard but so worth it and beautiful too ❤️

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Kira Stoops's avatar

I thought I didn't have a safety net either (and in many ways, I systemically did not), but somehow got here too! Here's to grit, luck, hope, and breaks from the universe. Maybe your hubs could start a 'Stack too!

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Willow's avatar

Yesss, I welcome more breaks from the universe! Maybe he will 🙂 I'm going to suggest it.

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Molly Freedenberg's avatar

You’re a hilarious genius and I am so glad you’re doing this. You’re so right about making the system work for you. And I love this as an act of rebellion. “Money isn’t real? OK GREAT WATCH THIS.” Thanks for doing all this work first so you can share it with us. * cue the song “you’re my inspiraaaaationnn” *

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Kira Stoops's avatar

We’re just playing by their rules *innocent shrug.* Thank you, fellow rebel!

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Molly Freedenberg's avatar

who us? * blink blink blink *

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Amber Horrox's avatar

“someone else needs it more.” I see this a lot too. Whether it’s a mum being given childcare help in the school holidays, a single person qualifying for food vouchers or many of us in the chronic illness community in desperate need of help, looking for it in all places unforthcoming and unable to reach our, ask for it and accept it when it shows up.

I love the take on the whole post but especially the resources. We already have the data to show there is more than enough money and food for the entire world - more than enough. We’re now living in times where we’ve got to learn to distribute that for the good of the whole.

Perhaps we can only learn to do that once we see ourselves whole?

One thing I know for sure is that it’s creativity (not control) that will lead the way.

Thank you for sharing such a well put together post. The kind that can only come from being living proof.

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Kira Stoops's avatar

Thanks so much! I'm going to expand on this topic in future. There are so many reasons people struggle to find but more importantly ACCEPT help. I do believe accepting help is part of HOW we see ourselves as whole, and part of the whole.

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Amber Horrox's avatar

Yes I’d agree with that. As someone who couldn’t open up to receiving help, love, compliments etc. There are so many layers - conditioning, independence, seeing it as weak and not recognising it as a need. Knowing there is a need for help but not knowing what type of help. It’s a minefield! But I guess we’re here to learn it and for many, our health now depends on it.

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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

My silicone spoon arrived! How thoughtful of you! I love your first two posts - you have a similar chronic-illness-but-fun approach that I do, and I can’t wait to see more from you 🩶

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Kira Stoops's avatar

Woohoo! Glad we stumbled into one another. Thank you for a dose of inspiration! And every spoonie needs an extra spoon...enjoy!

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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

Haha, good one 🤭

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Rachel Riggs's avatar

Thank you, Kira -- all great stuff!

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