Update — May 2026

Since my last update, the underlying situation hasn’t changed in the way I had hoped. I was able to get through the first part of the year thanks to the support from the December benefit, with the expectation that disability assistance would be in place by now. That did not happen. My initial application was denied, despite extensive medical documentation. This is common—many people are denied on the first attempt—but it means I am now in the appeals process. My attorney has filed under “dire need” to try to accelerate a decision.

Medically, I am still dealing with significant shoulder damage that requires two surgeries followed by physical therapy. The full recovery timeline is roughly ten months. The goal is straightforward: regain normal function, reduce pain, and return to stable sleep and daily activity. At present, pain management has been inconsistent. Non-opioid treatments have had limited effect, and opioid medications have introduced cognitive and emotional side effects that make them difficult to tolerate. Sleep disruption and chronic inflammation remain ongoing issues.

In the past several weeks, my health has been further complicated by illness. What began as the flu progressed into pneumonia, something I haven’t experienced since I was much younger. I am just now finishing a course of antibiotics after about five weeks of being sick.

At the same time, my insurance situation has deteriorated. Losing my previous subsidy forced me into a limited “value” plan that has significantly reduced access to care. I no longer have consistent access to my primary doctor, specialists, or therapist. At this point, I am essentially waiting—either for disability approval, which would provide Medicaid coverage, or for the next enrollment cycle to restore something closer to my previous care network.

Financially, I am operating on a minimal monthly budget of about $1,400. There is nothing left to cut or liquidate. This is the lowest sustainable level, and it is not much to bridge the gap once again while I wait for medical treatment and disability resolution.

At the same time, I'm pushing to find remote, desk-based work that I can perform from home—something that does not require physical strain and can exist with my current medical limitations--should you know someone let me know . . . I DO already have remote writing and event coordination work with a political organization, but that work doesn't start until the mid-term primary season heats up. Maybe late July. I'm also continuing to develop longer-term projects that could restore income, but those depend on getting through this medical period first.

That leaves me in a position where I need to ask for help again. If you are able to contribute, it would make a direct and immediate difference in covering basic living and medical-related costs during this gap. If contributing isn’t possible, sharing this page is also meaningful and appreciated.

There are positive developments on the horizon, and I will share those separately. For now, this update is focused on the immediate situation and the need to get through it.