Support Amber's Healing and Recovery
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Dear friends, loved ones, and community, my sister Amber really needs our help!
Please read her story, in her own words, below:
Last weekend, I sustained a serious injury from an assault that took place in my neighborhood. Let me start by saying, this is a difficult subject matter for me to open up about because I've spent many years simply trying to blend in and minimize the many labels that mark me as "other.”
I met a man at a local bar that I frequent quite regularly. I've always felt very welcomed and safe there. I know the bartenders pretty well and the regular patrons who also happen to be my neighbors. That evening, I started chatting with a patron who had come in after me. He said ‘hello’ to the bartender and a few other people he seemed familiar with. After conversing with him for an hour or so, I decided to go back to his place and continue to get to know him in a more private setting. From my perspective, this wasn’t a thoughtless or impulsive decision. I felt some measure of security since he clearly knew a few of the same people I did and lived on the same side of town as me.
When we arrived back at his place, we stepped on the balcony to enjoy the night air. As it became increasingly clear that we found each other attractive, I took the opportunity to disclose my trans status to him. For me, it was a formality I’ve become accustomed to sharing as I get to know someone. I was convinced he already knew (after all, we had acquaintances in common). Alarmingly, he became enraged and pushed me over the railing I was sitting on.
I fell about one story and sustained many abrasions, deep tissue bruises, and a broken leg (the fibula bone). In addition to these outward injuries, the physical trauma caused what is called “Rhabdomyolysis.” It’s a breakdown of the muscle tissue, which releases a toxic substance (creatine kinase) into the bloodstream. High levels of the enzyme in the bloodstream can lead to kidney failure, which is potentially life-threatening. The level of creatine kinase in my blood was 5x the normal, safe amount. The hospital has kept me under their watch for a week as they try to flush this toxin from my system.
I have a small, but AMAZING support system. Still, I am solely responsible for my well-being and survival. I work in the service industry and I will be on crutches for the next several weeks as my leg heals (possibly up to 8 weeks). Unfortunately, I will have no other source of income to cover my living expenses until I can return to work.
I'm asking for a bit of assistance, compassion, and healing energy. I just need to cover the barest of my living expenses and some medical expenses as I am currently uninsured. These living expenses include rent, utilities, food, and transportation costs to my follow-up doctor appointments after I am discharged from the hospital.
Thank you to everyone who has already reached out to offer prayers, words of healing, and assistance.
Many thanks and gratitude to those who donate and/or send loving vibes.
Peace and love,
Amber
Please join me in easing Amber's recovery by contributing whatever you can to get her back on her feet... No amount is too small!
—Ajolique
Please read her story, in her own words, below:
Last weekend, I sustained a serious injury from an assault that took place in my neighborhood. Let me start by saying, this is a difficult subject matter for me to open up about because I've spent many years simply trying to blend in and minimize the many labels that mark me as "other.”
I met a man at a local bar that I frequent quite regularly. I've always felt very welcomed and safe there. I know the bartenders pretty well and the regular patrons who also happen to be my neighbors. That evening, I started chatting with a patron who had come in after me. He said ‘hello’ to the bartender and a few other people he seemed familiar with. After conversing with him for an hour or so, I decided to go back to his place and continue to get to know him in a more private setting. From my perspective, this wasn’t a thoughtless or impulsive decision. I felt some measure of security since he clearly knew a few of the same people I did and lived on the same side of town as me.
When we arrived back at his place, we stepped on the balcony to enjoy the night air. As it became increasingly clear that we found each other attractive, I took the opportunity to disclose my trans status to him. For me, it was a formality I’ve become accustomed to sharing as I get to know someone. I was convinced he already knew (after all, we had acquaintances in common). Alarmingly, he became enraged and pushed me over the railing I was sitting on.
I fell about one story and sustained many abrasions, deep tissue bruises, and a broken leg (the fibula bone). In addition to these outward injuries, the physical trauma caused what is called “Rhabdomyolysis.” It’s a breakdown of the muscle tissue, which releases a toxic substance (creatine kinase) into the bloodstream. High levels of the enzyme in the bloodstream can lead to kidney failure, which is potentially life-threatening. The level of creatine kinase in my blood was 5x the normal, safe amount. The hospital has kept me under their watch for a week as they try to flush this toxin from my system.
I have a small, but AMAZING support system. Still, I am solely responsible for my well-being and survival. I work in the service industry and I will be on crutches for the next several weeks as my leg heals (possibly up to 8 weeks). Unfortunately, I will have no other source of income to cover my living expenses until I can return to work.
I'm asking for a bit of assistance, compassion, and healing energy. I just need to cover the barest of my living expenses and some medical expenses as I am currently uninsured. These living expenses include rent, utilities, food, and transportation costs to my follow-up doctor appointments after I am discharged from the hospital.
Thank you to everyone who has already reached out to offer prayers, words of healing, and assistance.
Many thanks and gratitude to those who donate and/or send loving vibes.
Peace and love,
Amber
Please join me in easing Amber's recovery by contributing whatever you can to get her back on her feet... No amount is too small!
—Ajolique
Organizer
Ajolique Jude
Organizer
Rockville, MD
