Hello. My name is Aliya (aliya/aliya's, not she/her/hers). I am a non-binary 22 year old in Colorado. On April 3rd, nine days before his 61st birthday, my dad died in the ICU unit of COVID-19. The virus killed him in the same hospital my brother and I were born in in New Jersey. Right now, I am across the country from my surviving family and am unable to get to them. My dad's funeral was over Zoom for me (I was misgendered during it). I need help. I need someone to talk to. I want to do the guides and workbooks, and I thank you graciously for providing them. I'm not sure if you offer one-on-one or group counseling, but if you have recommendations or options, please, please help me. I try to not let my grief take me out, but I know myself. I am not alone, but I certainly feel lonely. I keep wondering "where is my dad? Where the F*CK is my DAD?!?" and no answer makes sense in this god awful, disgustingly surreal time. He wasn't supposed to get the virus, he wasn't done here. He was the last one meant to get it and yet, in a matter of three weeks, it took him out. This virus isn't meant for bodies. I keep wondering "why me?" and as much as I hate seeing myself as a victim, I am. And I am a victim who can't do this without support and guidance and verbal sessions of help. If you have anything for me, please help. I've lost all my personal income and have no physical support and no animal companions, no roommates, either. However, I do have savings and my mom has offered to pay for the support I need, knowing she can't be that for me while she has her own process. I am losing my mind, it seems. Yes, I ask that you please help me, which is the hardest thing for me to ask of anyone. But I do ask it of you. I hope to god this works.
Thank You Sincerely,
Aliya Rae Cohen Rae of Sunshine