I’m a 46 year old, full time single mom, to a wonderful teen. I have been struggling with severe, debilitating chronic pain for my whole life, and fighting for medical diagnosis and care for unbearable, body wide muscle, skeletal, joint, and nerve pain for 25 years now. I have now been diagnosed with 12, and counting, rather serious, ongoing chronic pain illnesses. Fibromyalgia, hypermobile Ehlers Danlos, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, bulging discs, sciatica in both hips/legs, and now in my right arm, from shoulder to wrist, arthritis, neuropathy, severe carpal tunnel in both wrists and hands, chronic fatigue, POTS, IBS, stress incontinence, asthma, and now long covid, severe CPTSD, anxiety, panic disorder, (that one is new, and started happening as my body gave out) brain fog, memory loss, inability to remember and make words and more. The doctors say I have a pretty marked cognitive decline from both my pain levels, and the stress of going through all of this alone with no consistent local support system, and the burden of being the only source of financial security, for our family of two- security which is now gone. I do not have family support as I go through this.

As a result of my pain worsening and the tremendous delays in my care, I’ve found myself disabled. I’m unable to work more than a few days a month, pushing myself through crippling pain, and then I am unable to get out of bed for a week, or two, while I recover. This has been a hard pill to swallow as I’ve always been hard working and fiercely independent, holding two full time jobs plus side gigs, at all times, to support myself and my kid. My work ethic is incredible- but I am not able to just push through my pain for even one full time job any more. And my doctors say the harder I push myself, the worse my conditions are going to get. I use a cane, and a walker, to get around more often than not, these days.

I’m in the process of waiting for permanent disability to be approved, I’m about 2 years into it at this point, and in the meantime, I have no regular income coming in and no way to support myself and my teenager. I’ve been selling anything and everything of value to help pay rent and keep utilities on.

Additionally, my partner died in a really traumatic accident here at home, a year and a half ago- which left me pretty crippled with grief/ptsd, and increased pain from the stress/overload of it all.

I am trying desperately to keep a roof over our head and power and water and heat available, while I relentlessly pursue treatments and diagnoses with my growing teams of doctors and specialists.

Around Christmas time, my car began to refuse to start. Since then I have been to a mechanic, and the vehicle has been deemed unsafe to drive, with the possibility that it may blow the engine at any moment. I am continuing to drive it as I have no other options at this time. Without a regular income, I don’t qualify for any loan, and as you can imagine I have no safety net, and no savings. I’m desperately clinging to the life raft of hope, that something will give, and I will be able to find and acquire a safer vehicle. We live in a rural area and public transportation is inaccessible for me in my current state. Without a car, I am unable to access my doctor’s appointments- (I have had 5, just this week) and I am unable to make it to work. As much as I dislike asking for charity, I am desperate for help, so we don’t lose our housing, I can hopefully get a safer vehicle, and I can continue to work when my health allows. Any amount helps, as it all adds up to tremendous change for us. And if you cannot donate, please consider sharing. Thank you so much. I am forever grateful.