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Hi everyone!

My name is Lorenzo. If you’ve been on my GoFundMe before, then you know I was previously a program manager and artist living in the DMV area, and I’ve been severely Deaf for most of my life. While this has shaped me into a thoughtful listener and inclusive leader, it also means navigating daily challenges that many people don’t have to consider. I rely on interpreters, captioning tools, and written communication, but those aren’t always available. Without them, I often miss essential conversations and must constantly advocate for my own access.

Earlier this summer, I started a fundraiser after losing my hearing aids during an outing with friends in Philadelphia. They were outdated, but still made a big difference in helping me function daily. Since losing them, work and life have become significantly harder—meetings, quick updates, and everyday conversations often leave me struggling to keep up. The hearing aids I need aren’t optional luxuries; they require specialized technology and custom molds for my level of deafness. Unfortunately, insurance only covers the audiogram, leaving the entire cost on me.

On July 22—just one day after finally receiving a videophone I had been advocating for months, and on the anniversary of the ADA—I was unexpectedly terminated from my job. Despite reassurances that my performance review wasn't a concern, I was told my performance was deemed "unsatisfactory" in a role that never fully supported me as a Deaf professional. Overnight, I lost the income I relied on.

Since then, I've paused my hearing aid fundraiser to focus on immediate needs, like rent. I am short by about $400 to cover at least half of this month's rent. I’ve been applying to countless jobs with little success, and my housing situation has become even more unstable as one housemate prepares to break our lease which does not expire until June 2026—a $10,000 burden none of us can afford.

With that said, as I continue my job hunt, I need community support more than ever. I am forever grateful for the assistance I've received so far, and I kindly ask you to share my situation. Thank you.

This unexpected turn of events has profoundly impacted my mental health. However, I’m still doing everything I can—using Flex, building my art and design business, and searching for stable work.

Your support—whether through donations, sharing this page, or connecting me with opportunities—means more than I can express. Every bit helps me stay housed, stay connected, and keep moving forward. I promise to pay it forward whenever and however I can.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing by me. Your kindness has made this difficult journey more bearable, and I am so deeply grateful.

With gratitude, love, and intention,

Lorenzo

Recently, I lost my old hearing aids during an outing with friends in Philadelphia. They were already outdated, but they made a huge difference in helping me function. Since losing them, I’ve been struggling—especially at work. I can’t fully follow meetings, group discussions, or quick verbal updates, and it’s putting my job at serious risk. Not because I lack skill or dedication, but because I no longer have access to the basic tools I need to do my job effectively. Hearing aids are not a luxury—they are a necessity. The kind I need includes specific channels and custom ear molds, which are essential for someone with severe hearing loss like mine. These features aren’t optional extras—they’re what make it possible for me to hear safely and clearly without distortion or pain. Without them, I’m constantly straining to fill in the gaps and often missing critical details.

Unfortunately, my insurance only covers the audiogram, not the hearing aids themselves, leaving me to cover the full cost out of pocket. Living in an area with a high cost of living, it’s just not financially possible for me right now. This isn’t just about convenience. This is about staying employed, staying connected to my community, and preserving my mental, emotional, and spiritual health. I need hearing aids not to make life easier—but to make life possible in a hearing-dominant world. Your support will help me regain my independence, improve my job performance, and reconnect with the world around me. Thank you for considering a donation to help me hear again.