Misty needs help with medical bills
Donation protected
Misty is a great woman with a fun, joyful soul. A single mother of three beautiful daughters, ages 16, 12, 9, Misty is a hard worker and usually able to make ends meet financially, but she is having trouble digging herself out of debt from medical bills. She didn’t even want to make this appeal – a proud woman, she doesn’t want to be a “charity case”. So I am reaching out on her behalf as a friend, because she needs some help. Let me tell you her story, which could happen to anyone, so please find the compassion to help by donating and sharing this story.
In 2010, Misty was in a bad car accident and ever since has suffered severe migraine headaches and agonizing back pain from damage in her S5 & L1 discs. When the pain is bad, it is debilitating, sometimes for weeks at a time. A barrage of tests, CAT scans, MRIs, and intensive physical therapy have been costly. The therapy remains crucial, even today.
At the time of the accident, she was a busy mom, raising her daughters with her husband, Tom. Tom, as it turns out, was a physically abusive alcoholic, even when Misty was pregnant. When she was hurt, instead of being a supportive partner, Tom criticized her and did a lousy job of taking care of the family and the household. In 2012, Misty made a smart choice and left Tom, and in 2013 they were divorced.
In 2015, Misty was working full-time as a loan processor at a major U.S. bank for about three years. The pain was worsening, causing her to sometimes miss work. She applied for FMLA leave, but a few days before final approval, the bank terminated Misty without explanation. Misty is not a combative person, and with medical bills compounding and mouths to feed, she didn’t have the bandwidth to pursue legal action. Misty is a scrapper, so she picked herself up and got a new job.
Misty has always been a responsible person. She has always been clean and sober, she doesn’t own a credit card (only cash), she rents a modest home, and she is frugal with her expenses. She works hard to provide for her girls. For the past year, she’s worked full-time at a car dealership, sometimes until 1 am to close sales and take care of customers. She’s been the #1 salesperson at the dealership. But the irregular schedule, the late nights, and the demanding sales role have all taken their toll. Along with the debt and the busy life of a mom, sleep has not come easy for Misty, and the migraines and back pain continue to hit hard.
The story gets worse. A friend of Misty’s (Nancy) is a recovering drug abuser and had fallen on hard times. Nancy had no place to live and was subsisting hand-to-mouth. Misty, working most days and alone most weeknights, welcomed Nancy’s company and help around the house, and she invited Nancy into her home. This worked out well for a while, until Nancy relapsed. She quickly became a burden on Misty’s time and well-being...and on her finances. But Misty was too generous to just kick her out. Ultimately, Misty’s compassion landed her in court, behind on rent, just days away from eviction. With a little help from her employer and friends, Misty was able to forestall eviction. But the medical debt still compounds.
It’s hard to understand why bad things happen to good people, but the case here is clear. Despite her challenges, Misty is determined to get back on track, and she is optimistic about the future. But as she stares up at a mountain of medical debt, she feels a sense of hopelessness. She said to me recently, “I think the only option is bankruptcy. I don’t want to, but I don’t see another way.” I told her, “I do.”
Some people don’t deserve charity. Misty does. She doesn’t deserve to be in the situation she’s in. She works hard and is a kind and compassionate person, and a great mom. She just needs a clean slate so she can move forward and provide a solid future for her daughters. I ask on her behalf that you please help. Please donate what you can and share Misty’s story with others. Thank you.
In 2010, Misty was in a bad car accident and ever since has suffered severe migraine headaches and agonizing back pain from damage in her S5 & L1 discs. When the pain is bad, it is debilitating, sometimes for weeks at a time. A barrage of tests, CAT scans, MRIs, and intensive physical therapy have been costly. The therapy remains crucial, even today.
At the time of the accident, she was a busy mom, raising her daughters with her husband, Tom. Tom, as it turns out, was a physically abusive alcoholic, even when Misty was pregnant. When she was hurt, instead of being a supportive partner, Tom criticized her and did a lousy job of taking care of the family and the household. In 2012, Misty made a smart choice and left Tom, and in 2013 they were divorced.
In 2015, Misty was working full-time as a loan processor at a major U.S. bank for about three years. The pain was worsening, causing her to sometimes miss work. She applied for FMLA leave, but a few days before final approval, the bank terminated Misty without explanation. Misty is not a combative person, and with medical bills compounding and mouths to feed, she didn’t have the bandwidth to pursue legal action. Misty is a scrapper, so she picked herself up and got a new job.
Misty has always been a responsible person. She has always been clean and sober, she doesn’t own a credit card (only cash), she rents a modest home, and she is frugal with her expenses. She works hard to provide for her girls. For the past year, she’s worked full-time at a car dealership, sometimes until 1 am to close sales and take care of customers. She’s been the #1 salesperson at the dealership. But the irregular schedule, the late nights, and the demanding sales role have all taken their toll. Along with the debt and the busy life of a mom, sleep has not come easy for Misty, and the migraines and back pain continue to hit hard.
The story gets worse. A friend of Misty’s (Nancy) is a recovering drug abuser and had fallen on hard times. Nancy had no place to live and was subsisting hand-to-mouth. Misty, working most days and alone most weeknights, welcomed Nancy’s company and help around the house, and she invited Nancy into her home. This worked out well for a while, until Nancy relapsed. She quickly became a burden on Misty’s time and well-being...and on her finances. But Misty was too generous to just kick her out. Ultimately, Misty’s compassion landed her in court, behind on rent, just days away from eviction. With a little help from her employer and friends, Misty was able to forestall eviction. But the medical debt still compounds.
It’s hard to understand why bad things happen to good people, but the case here is clear. Despite her challenges, Misty is determined to get back on track, and she is optimistic about the future. But as she stares up at a mountain of medical debt, she feels a sense of hopelessness. She said to me recently, “I think the only option is bankruptcy. I don’t want to, but I don’t see another way.” I told her, “I do.”
Some people don’t deserve charity. Misty does. She doesn’t deserve to be in the situation she’s in. She works hard and is a kind and compassionate person, and a great mom. She just needs a clean slate so she can move forward and provide a solid future for her daughters. I ask on her behalf that you please help. Please donate what you can and share Misty’s story with others. Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Misty Mitchum
Organizer
Roanoke, VA
Misty Mitchum
Beneficiary