Clair's Health Expenses
Donation protected
UPDATE, 3/14: I am deeply humbled by the generosity you've all shown. Thank you. The money raised so far will help us pay for my insurance for March and April--and we're about halfway to paying for May, too (once factoring in fees).
I have type 1 diabetes, and I spend a lot of my time advocating for other people with diabetes, too.
Last semester I began work as a school librarian, my dream job. But within months, it was a nightmare for my health. I had used all of my sick days in the first three months of the job, and I was intentionally skipping insulin dosages to make my blood sugar high, to avoid having low blood sugar at school. The nervousness I felt about this decision escalated into full-blown panic attacks, and I realized I was doing more harm being in the school than if I were to leave. I left in December.
I've since applied for dozens of jobs with the university in town and local libraries. In the meantime, I'm working part-time as a barista at Starbucks. I am a strong writer, and I'm looking for freelance writing work. I begin working towards my PhD in the fall, and that will provide the flexibility I need to manage my health, access to university-subsidized medications, and health insurance.
But until then, I need to find a way for my family to handle my healthcare costs. My husband serves a small rural community as a public librarian, and only brings home about $2000/month. The difference between our cost of living and our combined incomes is the cost of my health insurance, which is $600/month. Thankfully, my insulin costs are negligible because of my insurance, but if I were to stop being insured, I would have to spend roughly $1800/month on my medication alone. If that were to happen, I would be forced to ration my insulin. As it is, I am altering my diet to prepare for that possibility, stretching my medication as much as I can without endangering myself.
I hate asking for help. I have done literally everything within my power to avoid this moment. But I also know that I wouldn't hesitate to help any of the other diabetics in my state were they in my situation. I need to either be hired in the next week (to allow for pay cycles)--which is unlikely-- or have money coming in to pay for my insurance by April 15th.
I have type 1 diabetes, and I spend a lot of my time advocating for other people with diabetes, too.
Last semester I began work as a school librarian, my dream job. But within months, it was a nightmare for my health. I had used all of my sick days in the first three months of the job, and I was intentionally skipping insulin dosages to make my blood sugar high, to avoid having low blood sugar at school. The nervousness I felt about this decision escalated into full-blown panic attacks, and I realized I was doing more harm being in the school than if I were to leave. I left in December.
I've since applied for dozens of jobs with the university in town and local libraries. In the meantime, I'm working part-time as a barista at Starbucks. I am a strong writer, and I'm looking for freelance writing work. I begin working towards my PhD in the fall, and that will provide the flexibility I need to manage my health, access to university-subsidized medications, and health insurance.
But until then, I need to find a way for my family to handle my healthcare costs. My husband serves a small rural community as a public librarian, and only brings home about $2000/month. The difference between our cost of living and our combined incomes is the cost of my health insurance, which is $600/month. Thankfully, my insulin costs are negligible because of my insurance, but if I were to stop being insured, I would have to spend roughly $1800/month on my medication alone. If that were to happen, I would be forced to ration my insulin. As it is, I am altering my diet to prepare for that possibility, stretching my medication as much as I can without endangering myself.
I hate asking for help. I have done literally everything within my power to avoid this moment. But I also know that I wouldn't hesitate to help any of the other diabetics in my state were they in my situation. I need to either be hired in the next week (to allow for pay cycles)--which is unlikely-- or have money coming in to pay for my insurance by April 15th.
Organizer
Clair Irwin
Organizer
Champaign, IL
