Help Keep Jamie's Family Secure During Her Recovery

Hi, I'm Jamie! I'm a full-time working mom of four who has worked in the nonprofit sector of my community for years. I'm very passionate about serving people in crisis and connecting them with resources they need in order to thrive. However, I've learned that sometimes community resources can have gaps.

I am currently finding myself in one of those gaps. I have quietly struggled with chronic pain for four years, seeing many specialists who ran many tests. But with more questions than answers, ultimately surgery may be the only way to diagnose and treat my pain. I scheduled this surgery months ago, thinking it would be simple and I wouldn't need much time to recover.

I was mistaken. The surgery is a little more involved than I expected and recovery time is twice what I thought it would be- upwards of a month. Unfortunately for me- that time will go unpaid. I do not have access to FMLA or Temporary Disability.

Once I realized all of this, I started searching through other community resources, but to no avail. Most of those resources could only help me if I would be disabled long term, (not temporarily), or if I was already behind on my rent or bills. It didn't matter that without my income, I WOULD get behind on my rent and bills. Our systems, though meant to help, are not designed to be proactive- they're designed to be reactive.

Without my income, my family will not have enough to get by for the month I'll be unable to work. I will not have enough for my rent and some of my bills. My hard-working partner will be working even harder to make up for the temporary income loss, but he is only one person and there are only so many hours in a day.

With most people living paycheck to paycheck, anyone could understand how losing one paycheck could set someone behind. Now imagine losing two. That's where I am right now. I've worked with the community experiencing homelessness enough to know that all it takes is something like this to lose financial stability and even a home.

It takes a lot for me to ask for help. I'm usually quite private and self-sufficient. I only ask for help when it's a last resort. Like now- when I'm faced with the choice of continuing to live in pain or risking my family's financial stability. But I have learned that no one can make it alone. It takes a whole community.

If you're in a season where you can give, any amount would be appreciated. I am only asking for what I need for my family- not a penny more.

If you're not in a season where you can give, prayers, good vibes, and positive thoughts would also be welcome.

Whatever you can give will help me to focus more on my healing. I appreciate you. Thank you for being my community.