Help Donna Get Her Hands Back To Tattooing!

My name is Donna Klein, I’ve been a tattooing for 15 years and as of recent also began working in drug and alcohol recovery.

In February, my hands became painful and numb - to the point of sleepless nights, not being able to hold weight on them or not for long, and not being able to feel texture of things. No feeling has come back since and every once in awhile the pain is unbearable. I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel in both hands - the Neurologist report is that my right with disfunction and damage and my left damaged. Both need to be surgically taken care of.

I have not tattooed or been able to think about it with my hands in this condition. It’s been heartbreaking - as tattooing is the love of my life and it is my livelihood - how I’ve made a living.

After months and months of working on referrals, with doctors and a hand surgeon, I have finally been approved for my surgery. Each hand must be done separately with six week recovery time and no use of that hand during then. I won’t be able to tattoo again until early 2023 if all goes smoothly.

Now, to add to the craziness - last week I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis and have spent nearly a week in the hospital hooked up to IVs, getting tested, racking up bills, and missing out on work days with my Treatment job. Although it seems to be going okay and I am getting better, I couldn’t tell you that I am in the clear here yet.

Because of this hospital stay, I have to put off my hand surgery for another month setting me back even longer.

I am asking for help from my friends and family so I can get out of this financial hole that my health has brought me. I am not generally an asker, but I’m in a hard spot right now between missing plenty of work, health bills, normal bills. Those of you who know me know I would give the shirt off my back to anyone who needed it, but this time I am the one who needs it.

I thank you for taking this time to read and thank you if you have anything you can donate. If you cannot donate now, if you could share that would be tremendously appreciated.

I love you all.