Help Jodie-dire situation medical &living expenses

Hi, my name is Allyson and I'm fundraising for my friend, Jodie. I have never done this before, but I have never had such a good friend in such a dire situation.

Jodie is currently waiting for her disability to be approved. Despite all of her doctors supporting her extreme need for this disability to go through, this process has taken over two years and completely drained all of her savings.

She has done all the right things, however, NC has one of the highest rates of initial denial for SSI and COVID has backed up the court systems dramatically. Jodie's attorney AND the NC Representative Greg Murphy have both reached out to SSI on behalf of Jodie and SSI has now classified Jodie as a "dire situation". She is unable to receive any assistance until her disability application is completely approved. Because of this, Jodie has had to pay out of pocket for all of her medical expenses, monthly medications, and living expenses--which has completely drained her of her lifelong savings.

Before her illness, Jodie always worked in professional areas and spent her life giving back to others-- as a high school teacher, an education facilitator at a non-profit, and a county mental health crisis worker. She has volunteered at her local library and spearheaded teams for raising money through charitable organizations such as Random Acts of Kindness and GISH.

Almost three years ago, Jodie was diagnosed with an arachnoid tumor on her thoracic spine which needed surgery. After a failed surgery, Jodie developed more problems in her back, spine and right rib area, including thoracic radicultis, intercoastal neuralgia, multiple disc issues (in her thoracic and lumbar spine, and slipped rib syndrome. These issues make it impossible for Jodie to sit or stand longer than an hour at a time, she has lost some mobility in her right arm and hand, and she has severe daily pain. They have tried multiple nerve blocks in both her rib area and back, as well as other therapies. She is on the strongest prescription pain medications--which also cause some obvious complications such as daily nausea, difficulty concentrating, lack of sleep, and severe headaches. All of her stress over her medical situation as well as worry about how she is even going to live and move forward has caused Jodie to suffer and be diagnosed with major depression and anxiety which she was recently hospitalized for for a week.

Jodie is facing losing her apartment and being unable to even pay for her needed medications. She is on her last rope and has no idea where to turn next.

I am begging anyone who reads this to please help Jodie in any way you can. Please donate--any amount helps--or share this gofundme link with everyone you know.

Jodie has ALWAYS been the person to help others in any way she could--financially. emotionally, lending a shoulder to cry on. She now desperately needs OUR help. This fundraiser will hopefully help her cover expenses until her disability goes through and she receives her first check (which can still take months after approval.)

Jodie's situation is a reminder that this can happen to anyone. We've exhausted all resources that we know of, but if you have other suggestions to help, we are very open.

Thank you so much for reading and for helping my friend.