Help with Medical Bills from Crohn's Disease
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My name is Sherrie and I have Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is a difficult and often disabling digestive disorder. Living with it can mean constant pain and nausea, extreme fatigue, "bathroom" issues, and a variety of other problems. Before being diagnosed with Crohn's, I had a good life. I loved it, especially my job and friends. Unfortunately, as happens with so many of us with this disease, I became too ill to work and was forced to leave my job. Eventually, I became too ill to even take care of myself and was forced to move back home with my loving family.
Unfortunately, I no longer have health insurance and while I am eligible for the high-risk insurance pool in my state, the premiums are insanely expensive.
I have been denied Social Security disability twice, which is common, and am currently waiting for my next appeal, which isn't scheduled until 2014.
I cannot wait that long, so I am looking for part-time work, in the hopes that it will help me pay for the high-risk insurance premiums and help me start to pay off the many thousands of dollars of medical debt that I have already incurred over the last 18 months. As I told my mother, "I need to work just to pay for this illness."
However, I am in quite a bind. I need at least $1000 ASAP in order to avoid potential legal issues. In actuality, I owe well over $10,000, but $1000 would be sufficient for the time being, which is why I am listing it as my goal.
I ask this not for just myself, but for my family, who have been so wonderful in paying for my move back to Alaska from Oregon, and in providing room and board for me during this difficult time. My mother is retired due to her own health issues, and my father, while still working, will be 70 this year, has his own health issues, and deserves to retire. However, with the costs of helping me, this may not be possible. While they are happy to help me pay for food and to help out with medical bills when they can, they simply cannot afford their own medical bills (which are extensive) and mine as well.
Which is why I am turning to you, my friends, for help. I know times are very tough for all of us, and I know I am not the only one who needs help. I am hoping that if each of you make a small donation (even $5 would be helpful), it will be enough to help me dig my way out of this hole, so I can continue to recover, find a job, and become a productive member of society again.
My goal is to help increase awareness of Crohn's and other chronic illnesses which may not be life threatening, but which can destroy your life, nonetheless. I would also like to help others who are living with something like this. It can be hard to find your way out of the darkness dealing with such issues can cause. I'm not perfect and still have my own issues, but I know I can help others who struggle with this. Finally, I want to raise awareness about the difficulties of having a chronic illness while being uninsured in our country. I'm not advocating any particular plan or solution for our country's healthcare issues, I just want to make people aware of the difficulties that come with trying to receive care that you need when you are not able to be insured through no fault of your own. We need to work together to find a solution that will be acceptable to all.
I believe it is our duty in life to make this world a better place for others and ourselves, and I know that I can help others through the darkness of dealing with a chronic illness. But first, I need your help.
Thank you very much for reading this and considering a donation. May all who read this be blessed with health, happiness, peace, laughter and prosperity.
Organizador
Sherrie Brunell
Organizador
