Lupus warrior needs help.

It’s always been hard for me to ask for help. I’ve always been the type to figure it out on my own. Over 20yrs ago I was diagnosed with Lupus  (SLE) an autoimmune disease (also known as the silent illness). Someone with Lupus doesn’t necessarily look sick all the time. You have good days and you have bad days. During these unprecedented times people with underlying illnesses are at greater risk of the COVID-19 virus. With Lupus you have a weakened immune system, making it harder for you to recover from this virus. As things progressed with this virus people found themselves out of work some temporarily some permanently, lots have applied for unemployment and are still waiting like myself. Many were ordered to stay at home for a period of time. Some were compensated by their employers. I was a nanny so there was no compensation. I have found myself in a position where I have to ask for help. Bills are piling up. Stimulus check arrived and literally only paid rent for April. Now it’s May and rent is due again not to mention other bills and having see my doctors and pay for office visits and medications. I lost health insurance because I was no longer able to pay it. I had to choose between food and insurance. Yes some states have begun to lift the stay in place restrictions but not for everyone. Like myself for example because I have a compromised immune system I must continue to shelter in place until June 12th which may even be extended past that. Unfortunately  I’m not able to go back to my nanny job as I still must protect myself. At this point I’ve found myself in a position that I never imagined I’d be in. Savings depleted, I have to keep a roof over my head and my son.  I don’t know how to do that anymore without seeking help. I still have rent to pay for the month of May. Before you know it June will be here and that will be another month I will owe that will put me at $2200 in rent alone. Then there’s doctor office visits and medications that I’ll have to pay for the month of May & June that’s approximately $1200. Plus car insurance is another $200 for May and June that’s already $3600 which does not including utilities, food and other things needed to survive. My 19 year old son has returned to work to help and it’s heartbreaking because at 19 he shouldn’t have to feel like that responsibility is on him. He goes to work and takes a change of clothes before coming home and then straight to the shower before even coming into my room to say hi and hug me. As I said before asking for help is one of the hardest things for me to do. I’ve always been able to figure it out and manage to make it. Even at 17 and having my first child I made it work. I went school full time, I worked full time and was a full time single mom. It wasn’t easy but I did it. At this time I can’t do and I can’t figure it out. If there’s anyone out there that can help I’d greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance and thank you for taking the time to read this. Once my needs are met I plan to pay it forward to help others in need. For more information about Lupus and COVID-19 please go to Lupus.org