I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO GO

I come here, because I truly have nowhere else to go and no one else to ask for help. My name is Linda Worden, and I am 63 years old. I am sick with life-threatening physical and mental illnesses and can’t afford doctor visits, diagnostics, treatments, medications or transportation to and from my home. This photo - me between my beautiful parents (who have since passed) - shows one of the happiest times in my life, so I chose to use it here. Little did any of us know how much was to change. 

For the past year,  I have needed help from others to remain in my home, pay bills, ask for rides, get groceries, etc. I am disabled and cannot work, but that could change with proper medical care and meds. Social Security is my only income. I have applied for many types of financial aid and have been rejected by all. I ask for this amount of money to supplement my Social Security for as long as possible. It is a random amount. My costs are ongoing.

I have made a list of my needs (in a nutshell), in order of severity. (You will see "plus transportation", because I lost my vehicle last year, and there is no public transportation where I live, so I must take Uber or Lyft to go anywhere.)

MEDICATIONS
**Most important - INSULINS (2) and Diabetic testing supplies ($240 per month)**
----other meds to treat conditions listed below 

DOCTORS (in order of importance)
Dermatologist - as needed/$50 per visit (plus transportation)
--I have an unknown skin growth that PC doc could not identify, which could be infected or pre-cancerous
----NEED SURGERY & BIOPSY asap
Endocrinologist - every 3 mos/$50 per visit (plus transportation)
—Hypothyrhoidism
--Diabetes
—Hypertension
—Arthritis
--high cholesterol
----LABS - must always get blood work and urianalysis before each visit (costs vary)
Ophthalmologist - $50 per visit (plus transportation)
—normal testing plus extra tests due to Diabetes (unsure of costs for specialized Diabetic tests)
—glasses - expensive because vision in one eye so much worse than other
Podiatrist - every 2 mos/$50 per visit (plus transportation)
--Incurable foot deformity that causes chronic pain
—Need doctor to trim toenails due to Diabetes
Psychiatrist - every 3-6 mos/$50 per visit
—treatment for life-threatening Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety (literal diagnosis)
Primary Care - $25 per visit (plus transportation)
--chronic pain management for Arthritis and numerous other conditions

TRANSPORTATION
—by Uber or Lyft to and from anywhere I go (as explained above)

FOOD/GROCERIES/TOILETRIES/CLEANING SUPPLIES

I genuinely cannot tell you which is worse now - the untreated mental illness, chronic physical pain or pain and fear with the undiagnosed skin ailment. Until about a year ago, I had been taking psych meds for the past 18 years. Then my financial situation changed drastically - due to my parents' lengthy illnesses and eventual deaths and a probate attorney who stole my money and prevented me from getting my full inheritance. I used the little I got to supplement my Social Security, but that money is long gone.

For my mind, life is an indescribable darkness. A black hole. I live not day by day but hour by hour. The only future I look forward to is the time when I can sleep again. For my body, there has been chronic pain for years. Now, due to this skin growth, I have additional pain that worsens as it grows. I am feeling the effects of untreated Diabetes. My vision has greatly declined. I am desperate for updated glasses. I have lost 55 pounds in the last year. I am in a mental and physical prison, from which there is little hope.

I don’t want pity or sympathy. I just want to get back on my feet and work to find options to RESOLVE my situation.

If you have already helped, please know how much you are appreciated. And know that no amount is too small! Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Whether you can or can’t help, please share with as many others as possible. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. This is, indeed, my last hope.

#99HelpLindaWorden #HelpLindaWorden #HelpLinda #HelpLindaWordenAtGoFundMe #HelpLindaAtGoFundMe