an elliott on the mend

17 July 2019
Update: It's a year later and time for another surgery- this time to remove the plate! The recovery time will be much faster, but I will still be missing quite a bit of work in the weeks after and will need to pay for train tickets and cab fares as I won't be on the bike for at least a month. So I've decided to open up this campaign again and ask for just a little more help from you.

So much gratitude!
xo
.e

-- see updates for most current info!--


On June 3rd, a stranger pushed me from my bike. I crashed hard, broke my clavicle and dislocated my shoulder. He kept walking.

Many strangers stopped for me. They stayed with me until the ambulance arrived. They rescued my mangled bike. They called my friend and gave me a spare phone battery to take to the E.R.

Many friends here in Berlin have been helping me since then, with translations at doctors' offices, meals, rides, books.

Many friends far away have asked how they can help, and some have asked if they can offer financial support. This is how.

The healing process has taken quite a long time, because the fracture wasn't healing on its own, and I ended up needing surgery a few weeks ago. Thankfully my health insurance coverage started just a few days before the accident! After ten years of being uninsured in the US, this feels like a sign that the universe has my back.

I've lost almost two months of work, which has set me back quite a bit, and had to cancel some upcoming/ongoing touring. And with the added expenses of cab rides, medications, U-Bahn passes, rebooking of flights, last-minute housing, etc., things are pretty tight for me right now. If you are able to donate a few dollars or euro, it would make a big difference.

A couple of family members have already donated generously, and with the help of an organization here called ReachOut Berlin, I'm applying for compensation from some charitable funds for victims of hate crimes. It feels really weird to use that language, because I don't feel like a victim. I'm a survivor :)

I'm grateful to all of you for your kind words and deeds, and I'm grateful for anything you can donate.