Daphne's Health Insurance Struggle
Donation protected
My name is Daphne Smith. I am sick and my insurance company refuses to pay my benefits. My original claim was denied, I have appealed my denied claim and had the appeal was turned down too. Ihave been off work since November 2014 and completely without income since Feb 15, 2015. I am now in significant financial distress. I cannot work due to my health and I am behind on my bills. I am hoping to receive assistance to help me pay those bills while I fight my insurance company to obtain the benefits I have paid for and have every right to collect.
I work with adults that have developmental and physical disabilities. In November 2014 I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and had to stop working. In February of 2015 a flare-up of an auto immune disorder occurred. The disorder is called Pyoderma Gangrenosum (PG), it is not a well understood condition but basically it is the immune system getting confused and attacking the body, in this case resulting in a flesh eating wound in my leg. The treatment for pyoderma gangrenosum includes sitting with your feet elevated as much as possible and taking large doses of prednisone, which has some pretty awful side effects which also contribute to my inability to work at this time.
I and my employer have both been paying a significant amount every month for over 6 years for my health coverage and now, despite having two completely valid medical reasons to collect my benefits, I cannot. I have no choice but to fight this. I have no other source of income and will not have one until I can get healthy and return to work. The stress of this denied insurance claim and the associated financial stresses resulting are detrimental to my healing process.
I do have a husband, and he does have an income, but it is not enough to cover our bills. He had just finished re-training to begin a new career as a massage therapist and shiatsu practitioner and was in the process of renovating our garage to become his practice space when he got sick. He is now recovered and is back to the renovation process and will soon be able to provide for our financial needs through his practice. I share this information so that you will know that your assistance will not go to someone with no plans or vision to regain a position of financial independence and stability. I will be stable again soon, but I do need help to survive while I fight this insurance company to get the benefits I have paid for and have a right to collect.
Thank you very much in advance for considering donating to me.
Daphne Smith
Organizer
Daphne Smith
Organizer
Coleman, AB