Hello, my name is Darian, I’m 23, and I’m reaching out to anyone with the means to assist during a time of instability and uncertainty~

I have been unexpectedly put out of work for the past 2 months due to the onset of a disability that is in the process of being diagnosed. I live paycheck to paycheck, and am still in the approval process for the short-term disability offered through my employer. The amount of wages I’ve lost through this time has put me into a financial crisis, and I am urgently seeking the funds to help cover essential costs + bills to keep me housed and help me back towards financial stability.

My story:

Around January this year, I began to have pain in my lower back and hips. I work in construction, so am quite used to the feeling of sore muscles. This pain felt different; It didn’t wane and was made worse by movement. Up and down, the pain would become extreme, leaving me writhing and unable to sleep, before fading into the back and hip I became familiar with until the cycle started again.

Two urgent care visits, one ER visit, 4 PCP visits, muscle relaxers, a steroid shot, no answers, and many missed days of work later, I decided to get a second opinion from an internal medicine doctor who set me on the right path.

I began physical therapy and was quickly informed by different therapists that my joints were hypermobile and likely linked to the pain. When I mentioned this to my doctor, he asked me if I happened to be familiar with hypermobile Elhers Danlos Syndrome, to which all of my symptoms aligned; Thus began my disability journey.

My process of getting formally diagnosed is ongoing and still involves months of waiting to see specialists. Unfortunately until then, there isn’t a way to determine the new extent of my physical abilities without potentially overexerting my body and exacerbating my symptoms.

After talking with my care team, we concluded that taking leave would be the best course of action. The company I work for offers short-term disability, but the process to obtain it has not been easy, and is still currently ongoing. In the meantime, I have had no consistent source of income, which has knocked me down severely. I’ve been able to make small amounts through Uber Eats when physically capable, but it isn’t nearly enough to survive.

I have been off now work for close to two months. My already-lacking savings continues to deplete, the bills are piling + overdue, and I’ve been hoping to somehow find the $630 I owe in seven days for rent hidden in a coat pocket.

On top, my landlord has decided to sell the house I’ve lived in for three years, which has accumulated into needing to move out in less than two months. This adds dramatically to my financial burden, and has made me feel hopeless and lost. To say I’m drowning is an understatement (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀)

My disability payments combined with miscellaneous side-work earnings will theoretically be able to cover my monthly expenses, but it won’t be enough to get me out of this debt on its own. I’ve avoided asking for help for a long time, but have accepted that this isn’t a situation I can face on my own anymore.

I’m starting my goal at $2,000, which would cover July rent, the bills i owe from June, and those same bills for July. These expenses are currently my top priority as they are the most time-sensitive and vital to keeping my living situation afloat. If this can be met, my stretch goal would be $4,000 to help with moving, medical bills, and other essential expenses while I navigate the process of disability approval.

I give a sincere and honest thank you to anyone who takes the time to read, share, or donate. You are all loved <3