Hi! My name is Karen. I have been at my job for 13 1/2 years now. For the last 1 1/2 years, I have been on borrowed time. I have missed a lot of work, having to call in or leave early due to the tremendous amount of pain I am in. Both of my knees are bone on bone and need to be replaced and grind when I walk. My left hip feels slightly out of socket and will need to eventually be replaced. I have a ruptured disc in my lower back and a degenerative disc below it. Having to use a walker, push, or pull myself up has my shoulders hurting pretty bad also. I also suffer from COPD and pulmonary hypertension.

I have been trying to get on disability but they won't process my application while I'm still working. Their process will take several months. The retirement department won't give me a lump sum, and I would have to wait 3 months after I'm not working to get payments from them. Since I have missed so much work, I don't have any savings.

Getting ready for work, walking to my car, getting in and out of the car, riding in the car, and walking to/at work are very painful, and I have to fight not to cry most times. I try to push through it as much as possible, but the pain gets too overwhelming quite a bit.

It's not fair to my coworkers when I have to call in or leave early, and it's not fair to me to sit there in pain, so I have decided to swallow my pride and ask for help.

I know the amount I'm asking for seems high, but I have a couple small loans to pay off and a few things that need to be done to my car, along with the monthly bills I have to pay. I appreciate everyone taking the time to read this and appreciate any help I can get. Thank you!