My name is Dai, and I am a full time artist! I began painting as a coping mechanism in 2022 in the aftermath of being sexually assaulted. I never knew painting would turn into my career, but I am grateful that it has. It has brought a lot joy, passion and independence to me in a really dark time of my life. Since I was assaulted in October of 2022, I have faced hardship emotionally, physically and financially. My extremely activated PTSD in the immediate aftermath kept me from being able to do daily activities, I was working full time and going to school full time. I was assaulted by someone that I knew, and believed to be my friend. I received a rape kit, and toxicology report. I decided to press charges once I learned that I had been roofied, which led to my memory loss of the events of that night. The prosecutors decided to not prosecute the individual. All of these factors have contributed to my ongoing PTSD.
I am extremely fortunate to have been in therapy since this traumatic event occurred. Prior to my assault, I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and ADHD.
Receiving funding to get a dog fully trained from an accredited institution will help my life tremendously. I currently struggle to be out in public alone. I am fearful of my safety, and having to run into my assailant in public. This individual occupies A LOT of the same spaces as I do. They work in close proximity to my home, and frequent art events that I am often working. When I do go out to do things alone it's a large cause of anxiety for me. Thankfully they do not speak or interact with me, but it's extremely taxing on me.
Getting a service dog will be beneficial to me having ongoing support as I learn to adjust and continue to heal from this traumatic event. A psychiatric service dog will be trained to assist me with
Giving me assistance navigating everyday things such as walks in the parks, going to the grocery store, social events, and work. I currently am working on multiple projects where I am painting murals and or painting in state/national parks.