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My Accessible Home and Vehicle

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             This is my story...

                I was in and out of hospitals for almost 10 months total over two years. It took months of pain, almost daily bandage changes, reamputations due to regenerated bone growth and physical therapy, learning to become accustomed to my new life- and to walk again on basic prosthetics.
               In August 2015 after being cleared by my surgeon, completely healed, I decided to stop running (pun intended). I put myself in drug and alcohol treatment at Atchison Valley Hope in Atchison Kansas. I had ran from my problems and hid in the bottom of a bottle for a while before I lost my legs. Afterward, I was on a heavy pharmaceutical load for phantom pain, depression, sleep, ulcers -- a list of side effects. After completing their 30 day program, I continued maintaining sobriety in Oxford sober living organization for a few months before finding refuge renting from a retired drug and alcohol counselor with substantial recovery time. I still think that woman is an angel of earth.

                In this time, I was several months into my recovery going to meetings every day, and was very actively involved in MMA classes with the Caveman Crew in Raytown under the direction of welterweight Rudy Bears when transportation allowed. I know what it is to fight, been doing that most of my life in one form or another. It became a dream of mine to show the industry and fans of that industry that amputees are fighters, too. Perhaps since I already know what it's like to lose, I feel I can influence and inspire other women to have more confidence and sportsmanship.

              All of these dreams and goals were put on hold to follow with someone I loved, so in February 2016 I relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado. The independence I had “gained” was lost for a while.

              I diligently worked to get myself healthcare, vocational rehabilitation, education and trauma therapy through inaccessible living situations, transportation issues, depression and stress that has crippled my physical health. I have been in intensive EMDR treatment for severe PTSD for several months.

            After a battle to get myself the correct medical prescriptions, I was finally casted for new prosthetic sockets and the new components of my legs were ordered in late August. I have been very actively working with Colorado Division Vocational Rehab since early in the summer. The plan was to enroll myself in the fall semester at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

            That goal was put on hold to pursue another. The man I moved out here with pushed me to invest in a home that we could make accessible and also use as an investment property.  

              In August, we bought a property as joint title owners; although I’m listed as a co-borrower the loan is in his name. But in September, we separated and I began working with TESSA, a domestic violence shelter/advocacy group here in Colorado Springs. I had subjected myself to a cycle of very unhealthy behaviors, and it took a major toll on me; In some ways it still is. In the months since, I have been seeking refuge in my home by continuing to modify it to be easily accessible to my disability, renovations, covering the mortgage and utilities with roommates and my disability income of $970.00 a month and I still have potential for more cash flow through the house on top of the mortgage. The property is near all of my therapies, and in a very accessible area of Colorado Springs next to all the shopping amenities needed for day to day life.

The problem is...

              Because we are no longer together, I need to get the home that I’ve put so much sweat equity into into my name to protect my investment. This fall I had to file chapter 7 bankruptcy to cover the extensive medical bills from months of surgery and treatment after fighting for years with the insurance company and the medical providers.. As a 23 year old, I was advised this was the best option going forward.I thought I had the security to do so. That did not prove to be so.

Through traditional home refinancing I won't qualify for a year through FHA after discharge of my bankruptcy this December. There are other financing options available to me however I lack the capital to securely qualify.

            Most would say ‘Move home, your parents can care for you.” Unfortunately, my parents have their own serious, expensive medical issues. My father has Multiple Sclerosis, a progressive disease, that has already robbed him of his sight once, making it difficult to work full time. My parents split-level home is not an accessible one. If they could help me, they would, but for now they are just trying to get my father to full retirement in a year and prepare their own home for sale.
                As I write this I am sitting at UCCS in the library facing the giant bay windows that display the incredible view of Pikes Peak, America's mountain range.. and I can't help but feel so incredibly grateful nonetheless. Although all of this has happened, I have so many opportunities open to me. I am finally seeing my hard work pay off. I have my new prosthetics and I'm hoping to start physical therapy with them soon. I am enrolled to pursue my vocational/educational goals this starting in January. I am back in the halls of AA sharing my story. I have found an MMA gym to participate in when transportation allows. I have two animals that love me dearly, and I have even been able to make a few friends in the last couple months.

                  I need help securing the safety and stability of my home and transportation. I desperately need this stability for my future. The funds raised from this campaign directly benefit me, and will allow me to continue my future in school. Ideally I would simply ask someone to invest with me with a rent-to-own, or buy-back agreement set for one to two years. The goal of this campaign is to raise enough capital to qualify for alternative investment financing for my home, and to cover costs of hand control installation in my vehicle.

              I don't often feel sorry for myself nor do I actually associate these words with my physical being. I have fought and worked hard for my life. For years I searched for my home only to realize I have to make it. Over the course of the past two years I have moved seven times each time getting closer to where I need to be. I have spent countless hours staring at paper or a computer screen thinking to myself that I need to write this out genuinely asking for help. I couldn't because the world simply doesn't owe me anything nor does it revolve around me. Even though my situation is dire to me I know all the pain and struggles of others are relative. I am starting this path in education in hopes of becoming a licensed medical examiner after obtaining my medical degree.  It's important to me to give voice to the dead, had I never woken back up, I would have just been another 21-year-old suicide tally on the statistics list and my parents would have falsely dealt with the grief and pain of that. I am so thankful every day that is not the case.

                     I want to be an advocate for amputees, women with disabilities, entrepreneurs, students, fighters, veterans and especially the healthcare system. In any good investment there is always room for growth and potential, and just like a flower, I can blossom. I just need to be watered and set in the sun, right here in front of this big bay window overlooking this mountain because at its base is where I call HOME.

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Note to the reader:
I want to thank you personally for taking the time out of your day to read my story. Its been over 2 years and I'm just now coming up with the courage to put those events into words. My story isnt and hasnt always been a pretty one, as just like you, I am not perfect. In fact; one could almost say its been a trainwreck. (Pun Intended). This help to me means more than anything I can put into words, and is beyond appreciated!

Thankyou so much, 
Mandy Horvath

Below I am linking up another post that has photos attatched. Be warned that some of these photos are graphic.

http://imgur.com/gallery/wtvDN

T
his campaign is inactive- please check my new campaign @ 
https://www.gofundme.com/AdaptiveAthleteTravelFunds

Organizer

Mandy Horvath
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO

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