I know we cannot post gofundme links here, but I was directed to one with a crazy story. One that is almost hard to believe. I mentioned this to my brother (I'm female) and he said it was best not to get involved as I'm not equipped to handle whatever problems this person might have or I could be scammed. I've read the updates and my heart breaks - hard not to give financially or seek help in other ways.

The gist - I have not seen this person in over 30 years. She graduated with a 4.0. Has a masters and a doctorate. Was straight as an arrow when I knew her. She was a university professor. Divorced awhile back.

She is now living in a tent with her cats on government owned land having to move every two weeks. Not an experienced camper, broke and trying to turn things around.

Says she lost touch with others and was trafficked.

This girl (woman) is under 5 ft tall and all of 100 lbs. She would be 55 now, but is often mistaken for someone much younger due to her size.

After reading her updates,- this seems legit. The story is so crazy though I'm not sure if it's a good idea to get involved.

Thoughts?

Go with what your heart tells you.

This is my concern. She was abused as a child and estranged from family. I believe she still has an uncle in Texas she was communicating with (at least years ago) Her writing seems coherent, but the original post about how she got where she is seems very strange. She apparently "fled" Oregon this Summer and has been camping since.

I wonder why she is not getting a job? I suppose it might be tough due to living in a tent with pets who cannot be left alone.

She has exhausted her savings and retirement. Maybe she has not worked in awhile? Or it was taken from her by this person/people who trafficked her?

Very hard to wrap my head around all of this.

She has been posting photos of her pets in her updates. I feel like it is her.

I even contacted a trafficking hotline (in case this is true) but they cannot reach out to her. She has to be the one seeking help.

I guess I just cannot imagine being in her situation. She was always sensible, very smart, but maybe a little naive? I'm wondering if this is a situation where she was taken advantage of and felt like she couldn't get out. I suppose I want to believe… Though, if true, that would be terrible as well.

I know. I don't think I can get her out of the situation. I guess I will pray she searches for professional help.

I would imagine it's some kind of pre paid phone. I don't know.

Totally agree with Dexipuss above. If you are really feeling led to help, as you clearly are given you called the hotline, then do some additional research on behalf of this person based on what you know. Find a shelter willing to take in abused women, maybe even get recs on solid drug rehab programs in her area and present all the info to her (electronically as she clearly has internet access). Maybe it helps her today, maybe it helps her in 6 or 12 months when she truly hits rock bottom. But you'll know that you tried. The rest is up to her.

Sad situation. Your empathy and caring is touching.

I knew a some folks who went to Oklahoma with a group of HS friends to rescue a classmate in distress. They were in their late 30's so would have been 20 plus years after HS. Showed up in force got her and her few things and two months later she fled somewhere else in the middle of the night leaving these folks distraught. Hard to help those who really can't help themselves.

John Cocktolstoy said:

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I knew a some folks who went to Oklahoma with a group of HS friends to rescue a classmate in distress. They were in their late 30's so would have been 20 plus years after HS. Showed up in force got her and her few things and two months later she fled somewhere else in the middle of the night leaving these folks distraught. Hard to help those who really can't help themselves.

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Sadly, part of life is knowing when to stop. You can't help someone if you wreck yourself in the process and you can't help someone who consistently refuses the help.

Gonna need some Rule 1 here.

Caliber said:

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John Cocktolstoy said:

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I knew a some folks who went to Oklahoma with a group of HS friends to rescue a classmate in distress. They were in their late 30's so would have been 20 plus years after HS. Showed up in force got her and her few things and two months later she fled somewhere else in the middle of the night leaving these folks distraught. Hard to help those who really can't help themselves.

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Sadly, part of life is knowing when to stop. You can't help someone if you wreck yourself in the process and you can't help someone who consistently refuses the help.

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I was told one classmate was out over $3000 after she kept "helping"

O.G. said:

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Gonna need some Rule 1 here.

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Thanks for all the responses. Reading her updates I don't feel like it's involvement with drugs. I don't know - guess I have never known addicts.

I would not be surprised if there is some mental illness though given how she grew up. I never knew anything about her family issues until many years later. She was always very focused on school and her boyfriend, later turned husband.

I still don't understand why she is not actively seeking help since leaving Oregon. Based on her updates she is really struggling with living in the wilderness and is ill equipped to do so.

She had to move on from Colorado because it was getting too cold. She is now in New Mexico, though I do not know where - She is smart enough to search for help, but why isn't she? So frustrating.

Apparently she did seek help from authorities and some professional help in Oregon, but it sounds like she left because she was scared.

Really unbelievable. Last person I would have thought this could happen to.

Caliber said:

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I will not donate to a gofundme. Far too easy to scam and no oversight. If it sound too outlandish, then it probably is.

If you want to get involved, listen to what you brother said and be prepared to get involved, otherwise throwing a few dollars her way won't do anything to change the situation.

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This

I don't think I will ever donate to another gofundme again if the recipient can just go take their family on vacation or do whatever the hell they want with it.