Hi everyone

I’m honestly not great at asking for help. I’d rather crack a joke and pretend everything’s fine, but the truth is I’m struggling a bit and could really use some support while I recover.

I had ankle fusion surgery on September 29th (10/10 do not recommend), and I’ve been out of work since then. I won’t be cleared to go back until probably the new year. I thought I’d bounce back quicker or that my savings would last longer, but between short term disability only paying $400 every two weeks and Maine deciding it wants to become the “new expensive place”… yeah. It’s been rough.

This surgery was a long time coming, a few years in the making actually. I’ve been dealing with end stage osteoarthritis in my right ankle made worse by my rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease that attacks my joints with no cure as of yet) until it finally reached the point where I was becoming almost immobile. It took a toll on my life both mentally and physically, and getting this fusion was the only way forward. I’m healing slowly but surely, but the financial stress on top of it has been really overwhelming.

Some of you know this, but when we moved to Maine, it was to save money and get our life into a calmer place. And then COVID hit and changed my career completely. I went from making $75k in NYC to about $28k here as a CNA, a job I truly love, but definitely not one that makes the bills magically disappear. Maine just keeps getting pricier every year, and this surgery came at a time when I didn’t have anything left to buffer it.

Right now my bills are stacking up faster than I can keep up with while I’m not working: rent, car, groceries, and now all the fun medical stuff. I’m trying so hard to stay positive and focus on healing, but opening my mail lately makes my stomach drop.

So here I am, asking for help, and hoping that people understand that this is one of those moments in life where you just can’t do it all alone, no matter how strong you think you are.

If you’re able to donate or even just share this, it would mean the absolute world to me. Truly. If I’m lucky enough to receive more than I need, the remainder will be donated to charity so this kindness keeps going. I can’t wait to be back on my feet (literally), working again, and feeling like myself.

Thank you for helping me breathe a little easier while I heal. I’m so grateful for every bit of support.

What the funds will help cover:

• My basic bills

• Medical costs from surgery

• Support while I’m unable to work