Hello, everyone. To say this year has been hard, would be an understatement.This year has been one of loss, grief and financial hardship. While adjusting to my still declining vision with no hope of a cure in sight, I was laid off from my job indefinitely. My medical bills had left me living paycheck to paycheck and now without that paycheck, I am struggling to afford bills, food and my medication. I applied for unemployment and am protesting their denial. I also applied for SSDI and SSI but have been told that can take 6 to 8 months to receive payment. There is no public transportation where I live and since I'm blind and cannot drive, any work opportunity has to he remote or walkable. Every single business that I can safely walk to, has not even contacted me after I applied or when they discovered my disability, stopped responding to me or said the position has been filled. I was a nursing assistant for most of my working life and I was always working. I had the dream to become a nurse one day. That was until my vision began to rapidly decline over the summer of 2022. Since then I still have been determined to work full time while adjusting to being disabled. I have had two remote jobs that had laid me off, as well as many of their workforce, since then. More and more companies are discontinuing remote positions and having people return to the office or out sourcing their employment. This has taken many job opportunities from me as well as other disabled people.

I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder as well.

The reason for this GoFundMe is to help me be able to pay my bills; such as rent, groceries and medication. My husband's income is not enough to sustain us until my disability payments start. Now we cannot afford many of our bills. I am working with the services through the state that help the blind obtain employment and education but that wants to send me to college, fully paid, to further my education and can ensure I find stable employment opportunities. The downside is that they require I go full time for them to pay. I have always wants to go to college but was always so busy working and I had job security in the medical field before i became blind. But I can't afford to wait the estimated 6 to 9 months for disability payments to start. We simply wouldn't make it. This breaks my heart but we have to do what keeps us afloat. In the meantime I am taking as many accredited online certifications, that are free, as I can to help spruce up my resume.

We wanted to just put this out there for people to offer support for our family during this difficult time if they can. Anything is a huge help and is appreciated so much. We wouldn't be putting this out here if we weren't in need. Anything helps in a major way. We don't want anyone giving something that would then put themselves in financial hardship. We love and appreciate everyone regardless and am so grateful for whatever anyone can offer. Even just a kind word or prayer is enough. I'm so embarrassed to even make this but wanted to at least try. Thank you to all who do give or share this. Please donate if you can. Please share if you can't. Help me get the word out there. Donating will make me be able to afford food and rent, hopefully, until I can obtain SSDI and go to school, or find a job. Please donate if you can.

If you are uncomfortable using this platform for any reason, please just reach out to me. My email is [email redacted]