*** IMPORTANT UPDATE - Original goal of $1,000 was reached not long after this was posted. Goal was (automatically) raised beyond my expectations and beyond my needs - it is frozen now on current donated amount to show that there is no more need. Thank you to those who donated, cared, and supported ***

Dear friends, this is probably the hardest and most embarrassing writing I do (or one of the top 5 for sure), and I apologize for it, but - sadly - I find myself at a point where I feel I have no choice. I hope you will understand.

Last January (2025), on my way out of school, I fell on ice that was not cleared off the school sidewalk. I injured my right side (shoulder, hand, ribs, leg…). With time most of the injuries healed, except for the shoulder, and later the MRI showed a few tears and some damage there, which will require surgery. I will have surgery, BE”H, on February 3rd.

Healing from shoulder surgery can be a challenging and long experience - no use/movement of the shoulder and hand for the first few weeks, and then more weeks of PT until I will be able to use that hand normally again. I am right handed, my left hand is not much of a help, which adds to the challenge.

My surgery is a WorkComp and BH that means that the surgery itself will be covered by the insurance, as will the PT after, but no other costs - which I would not have except for the fall/surgery - will be covered.

Those extra expenses will be connected to different things in my daily life while recovering - the main cost connects to daily life challenges. Living on my own, I will need paid help at home - for (at least) the first two weeks I will need someone to come in and help for about an hour each day (think dressing up, washing/combing hair to put in a ponytail, getting the food ready, laundry, taking trash out…), I will need paid help keeping my place clean (not just in the first month, also keeping in mind that Pesach cleaning will also be within the time I will not have much use of my hand). Added smaller costs connect preparation to the recovery time. Not being able to move the hand at first and then not having much use of it, I will need to get some clothing (for example, I do not have many buttoned down shirts that may be flexible and doable to put on in that situation and still be able to go in public), or no-tie shoes (imagine trying to tie your shoes with one hand) and more.

As I said and as you can imagine, asking for this help is very embarrassing and humbling for me, being very private and not happy to share personal things, but with the financial situation already being challenging (think “a single mother with a college student child”), I’m at the point where I don't think I have a choice. I am not asking for much, I do realize the amount I asked for will probably not be reached (and that’s ok) and will not cover all my expenses (and that’s ok too), but I was hoping that if some people will donate even just $5-$10, it will add to an amount that will help lower the stress.

Donations are not an expectation but any help will really be appreciated.