Call out for mutual aid for disabled queer

Hi there :) my name is Pheebs (they/them), I’m a disabled, queer person living in beautiful Brighton. Thank you so much for coming to this page, I’m very nervous to be sharing this but have reached a point of needing to ask for support.

Over the last few months I’ve been experiencing a chronic pain flare up that is believed to be a fibromyalgia flare up. I’m currently under medical investigations for endometriosis and more recently, fibromyalgia. Over the last few months I’ve been and still am living with full body pain originating from my uterus, leaving me unable to walk without an aid, extreme fatigue and insomnia, cognitive issues, loss of mobility in daily tasks (such as showering, cleaning, cooking) and a severe impact on my mental and physical wellbeing. During this time I have had 2 trips to A&E and finally have been referred to a pain clinic to start managing my symptoms and rebuilding my ability/mobility. As well as resuming therapy and trying different medications for the pain. Despite the above, I have no indication of when my first appointment will be regarding the pain clinic or returning to therapy. I currently feel I’m in limbo. I’ve been unable to return to my new job and will no longer be able to return to this position, I was so excited to start my new role within a hospital ward before this began but it was short lived due to this flare up and it felt like a fresh start, I will miss it very much and hope to work towards getting back to similar work when I’m recovered. I’m in regular contact with my GP, who has truly been a big support of trying to work out what is causing these symptoms and what could be prolonging them, as I’ve never dealt with a chronic pain flare up lasting this long. My GP has signed me off as too sick to work, which is something I’ve only ever dealt with in short bursts, I’ve never been unemployed due to sickness before.

The reason I’ve created a call out asking for mutual aid is because next month (from March 16th onwards) I am going to lose my regular income. For transparency, my job’s contract is about to end and UC of course helps but it doesn’t cover even just the cost of living and I’m currently planning my appeal to the PIP tribunal for further and proper disability financial support. Asking for help this way is something I’ve thought a great deal about and feel a sense of shame over, but I’ve tried to remember that there isn’t any shame in asking for help and when I’m in a more fortunate position in the future I will be able to give back to those who give and help so much.

I’m looking to raise approximately £1500 to help see me through until I (hopefully) receive my PIP or when I’m (hopefully) better to begin a proper search for work again. The money I’m looking to raise would go towards further help to cover the rest of my rent, utilities bills and occasional taxis to get me to appointments/A&E if necessary, and looking into another council tax reduction. This is until I have a safer financial groundwork provided from the government whilst my PIP process continues.

If you’ve read this far, thank you. Seriously, it means a lot that someone is taking the time to read about my experiences. If you experience anything similar yourself, please know my love and solidarity is with you, I’m trying to stay positive and see the joys around me, even when they are clouded from the pain, I know they are still there. And you reading this and taking the time out of your day, that is a joy for me and something I’m truly grateful for, thank you.

Lastly, I will try and post updates on here too! If you know me from using my account @fatpheebs - Hello! Thank you again for taking the time to read this, I’m having a long break from social media that began in 2023 and trying to focus on my health, grief and getting better, thank you for being here! I hope to return to the account properly one day and cherish the community there dearly.