Help Her Stand Tall Again
Donation protected
Between A Rock And A Hard Place
A very dear friend of mine is at the end of her rope. After living many years in constant pain, with spinal issues that no one could truly understand, muscling through it because her sense of self-reliance would not allow her to give in, she has finally reached the point where she can no longer push forward. In a short period of time, I've watched a strong, proud 5'11 young woman slowly hunch until she can no longer stand straight or walk straight, or drive a car due to uncontrollable spasms in her legs.
My friend's name is Lottie. Long ago, before I knew her, she stood an even prouder 6'0. A car accident took that precious inch from her, and worsened a congenital condition that she was not aware she even had. Lottie only recently learned that she had spinal stenosis, a condition in which the spinal canal is underdeveloped, and too narrow. This, combined with slipped discs from the accident, including one at a staggering 11mm, means that her nerves are not being pinched... They're being crushed.
Every job Lottie has held for over two years now, she has either lost or been forced to quit because of her worsening back. She attempted to file for disability nearly a year ago, but was denied on the grounds she could get a desk job... Not only was this impossible for her without higher education, but she can no longer even sit up long enough to work at a desk. In preparation to file for disability again, she's tried contacting nearly every disability lawyer she can find in Jacksonville, Florida, only to be declined because she's 27. Lottie is not seeking permanent disability, but only the assistance she needs to keep a roof over her head while seeking medical treatment.
Finding treatment, however, is another concern. Lacking insurance, she has been unable to see the right doctors to even get the kind of diagnosis she needs to get disability. A neurologist or an orthopedic surgeon won't see her, but a general practitioner isn't able to write a letter saying that she's unable to work, even when they're starting right at an x-ray of her mangled spine.
Lottie has never been eager to accept a hand-out, and has always taken great pride in her work ethic. Her inability to work has caused her to sink into a deep depression, blaming herself and giving in to feelings of worthlessness. My friend is a wonderful, caring person who has always put others before herself, and I would like nothing more than to be able to give her the help she needs.
Who Is She?
Lottie is a lot of things to a lot of people. She is a an artist, a seamstress, a photographer, a cosplayer... A friend, a fianceé, a sister, a daughter, my best friend, and my future maid of honor. Two years running, now, she has also been a director of theatrical shows at an anime convention, giving her Sundays for months on end to create fantastic productions. Sometimes, this meant having to lay on benches in the park while her cast worked out, just to rest enough to be able to watch them run through choreo. She is a phenomenally talented, charismatic, open and free-speaking individual. She is also a regular blood donor of O-, one of the rarest and universal types. She can be seen below donating blood while wearing a vampire costume ("paying it forward", as she says).
Why $3000?
After doing a lot of number-crunching, the going estimate is that she will need $3000 to cover her portion of bills for eight months. That means six months to recover, and an additional two to go through all of the mess that it takes to even get the treatment in the first place. Of course, those who love her would like to see more than that, so we can help her reach more goals.
Short Term Goals
Pay The Bills! Lottie's inability to work has left her with looming debts and collection notices. Her back has enough problems without bill collectors climbing on.
Improve Her Quality Of Life! One short term goal that would improve her situation is to be able to lose weight... Isn't it funny though how a burger is $1 and a salad is $5? The ability to buy healthy groceries would go a long way. Also, having a little extra money to get things from Goodwill to improve her mobility, such as a four-prong cane, a walker, etc.
Long Term Goals
The Treatment She Needs! Specialists are expensive, but when you need your spinal canal drilled out, you kinda need one.
A Clean Recovery Environment! Post-op, she's likely going to be down for a matter of months. Living in an apartment that suffers frequent issues like failed air conditioning, overflowing toilets, black mold in kitchen cabinets, and ceilings caving in from water leaks... Well, that's not a good environment to recover from major surgery in. Financial stability would mean being able to look for a better apartment, or become roommates with friends who would be able to watch out for her.
Rewards
Lottie is a very creative, crafty girl. One of the ways she's made a little extra money is by making teddy bears. The work allows her to take breaks when she needs them, but she tends not to charge as much as she should to cover her own time, above and beyond the cost of materials. Her creative, custom bears have included a Team Rocket bear for the Pokemon fan in her life, a Syndra bear for the League Of Legends fan, and for Halloween, a headless horseman bear with detachable velcro head. She is surrounded by crafty people, kumihimo weavers, anime artists, seamstresses, and more. If she is unable, due to back pain, to fulfill all of the orders for donation rewards, then they will be filled by myself or her other artsy and craftsy friends. All gifts include shipping, though international shipping will be an extra charge.
A very dear friend of mine is at the end of her rope. After living many years in constant pain, with spinal issues that no one could truly understand, muscling through it because her sense of self-reliance would not allow her to give in, she has finally reached the point where she can no longer push forward. In a short period of time, I've watched a strong, proud 5'11 young woman slowly hunch until she can no longer stand straight or walk straight, or drive a car due to uncontrollable spasms in her legs.
My friend's name is Lottie. Long ago, before I knew her, she stood an even prouder 6'0. A car accident took that precious inch from her, and worsened a congenital condition that she was not aware she even had. Lottie only recently learned that she had spinal stenosis, a condition in which the spinal canal is underdeveloped, and too narrow. This, combined with slipped discs from the accident, including one at a staggering 11mm, means that her nerves are not being pinched... They're being crushed.
Every job Lottie has held for over two years now, she has either lost or been forced to quit because of her worsening back. She attempted to file for disability nearly a year ago, but was denied on the grounds she could get a desk job... Not only was this impossible for her without higher education, but she can no longer even sit up long enough to work at a desk. In preparation to file for disability again, she's tried contacting nearly every disability lawyer she can find in Jacksonville, Florida, only to be declined because she's 27. Lottie is not seeking permanent disability, but only the assistance she needs to keep a roof over her head while seeking medical treatment.
Finding treatment, however, is another concern. Lacking insurance, she has been unable to see the right doctors to even get the kind of diagnosis she needs to get disability. A neurologist or an orthopedic surgeon won't see her, but a general practitioner isn't able to write a letter saying that she's unable to work, even when they're starting right at an x-ray of her mangled spine.
Lottie has never been eager to accept a hand-out, and has always taken great pride in her work ethic. Her inability to work has caused her to sink into a deep depression, blaming herself and giving in to feelings of worthlessness. My friend is a wonderful, caring person who has always put others before herself, and I would like nothing more than to be able to give her the help she needs.
Who Is She?
Lottie is a lot of things to a lot of people. She is a an artist, a seamstress, a photographer, a cosplayer... A friend, a fianceé, a sister, a daughter, my best friend, and my future maid of honor. Two years running, now, she has also been a director of theatrical shows at an anime convention, giving her Sundays for months on end to create fantastic productions. Sometimes, this meant having to lay on benches in the park while her cast worked out, just to rest enough to be able to watch them run through choreo. She is a phenomenally talented, charismatic, open and free-speaking individual. She is also a regular blood donor of O-, one of the rarest and universal types. She can be seen below donating blood while wearing a vampire costume ("paying it forward", as she says).
Why $3000?
After doing a lot of number-crunching, the going estimate is that she will need $3000 to cover her portion of bills for eight months. That means six months to recover, and an additional two to go through all of the mess that it takes to even get the treatment in the first place. Of course, those who love her would like to see more than that, so we can help her reach more goals.
Short Term Goals
Pay The Bills! Lottie's inability to work has left her with looming debts and collection notices. Her back has enough problems without bill collectors climbing on.
Improve Her Quality Of Life! One short term goal that would improve her situation is to be able to lose weight... Isn't it funny though how a burger is $1 and a salad is $5? The ability to buy healthy groceries would go a long way. Also, having a little extra money to get things from Goodwill to improve her mobility, such as a four-prong cane, a walker, etc.
Long Term Goals
The Treatment She Needs! Specialists are expensive, but when you need your spinal canal drilled out, you kinda need one.
A Clean Recovery Environment! Post-op, she's likely going to be down for a matter of months. Living in an apartment that suffers frequent issues like failed air conditioning, overflowing toilets, black mold in kitchen cabinets, and ceilings caving in from water leaks... Well, that's not a good environment to recover from major surgery in. Financial stability would mean being able to look for a better apartment, or become roommates with friends who would be able to watch out for her.
Rewards
Lottie is a very creative, crafty girl. One of the ways she's made a little extra money is by making teddy bears. The work allows her to take breaks when she needs them, but she tends not to charge as much as she should to cover her own time, above and beyond the cost of materials. Her creative, custom bears have included a Team Rocket bear for the Pokemon fan in her life, a Syndra bear for the League Of Legends fan, and for Halloween, a headless horseman bear with detachable velcro head. She is surrounded by crafty people, kumihimo weavers, anime artists, seamstresses, and more. If she is unable, due to back pain, to fulfill all of the orders for donation rewards, then they will be filled by myself or her other artsy and craftsy friends. All gifts include shipping, though international shipping will be an extra charge.
Organiser
Ashley May
Organiser
Jacksonville, FL
