Disabled Paramedic in Need of Help

Hi, my name is Melanie Lane. I have been in EMS for about 10 years, was a volunteer firefighter, and am a disabled veteran of the US Navy. In 2020 I had two strokes but was able to return to work after, they just wouldn't let me drive the ambulance anymore. On December 26, 2021, I felt a pop in the right side of my neck while loading a 350+lb pt into the ambulance on a power cot (200 lbs) without a load system. Over the next several days I started having headaches and stomach upset. On January 1, 2022, I worked a 24-hour shift, drove home, and went to bed for a nap. When I woke up I realized I didn't remember anything past about 8 pm the night before. My boyfriend drove me to the ER where they called a stroke alert. They found I had a stroke due to a right-sided carotid artery dissection. I spent two days in the neuro ICU at Riverside. As a result of this injury, I can't lift more than 30lbs, my memory isn't as good as it was before, and I have a large visual field deficit. This injury was a career-ender.

I have applied for SSDI and my worker's comp case is moving very slowly. I have great attorneys, but these things take time. I have been using community resources and borrowing from friends and family to keep the bills paid thus far. I now have to ask for more help because the resources I've been using are tapped out. I could really use more assistance to get my kids and me through the next 2-3 months until I should have my own money coming in. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Those of you who know me know I am very independent and rarely ask for help. I'm also open to suggestions from any who have ideas.