Alone, ill, and Invisible: I’m Asking for Help to Live Again

My name is Nicola, and writing this is not easy. Asking for help is never simple—especially when you’ve spent most of your life feeling invisible.

Not long ago, I had my thyroid removed due to a malignant nodule. It was a hard blow—physically and mentally. But the cancer is just one part of a much longer struggle.

Since I was a child, I’ve lived on the margins. I was always extremely shy, and over time that turned into deep social anxiety. Eventually, I became what is known as a hikikomori—someone completely withdrawn from society, isolated at home, unable to face the outside world.

I can’t work. Even if I found a job, my mental health and phobias wouldn’t allow me to keep it. But I still need to survive. I still need to eat. I still need medical care. I still dream—maybe one day—of rebuilding some kind of life, one small step at a time.

I’m not asking for luxury. I’m just asking for the chance to live with dignity.

If you’ve read this far, thank you. Even a small donation means more than you can imagine.

And if you can’t donate, sharing this would help me immensely.

With gratitude,

Nicola.