Eden's Emergency Exit

Story

My name is Fleurian Filkins. I’m fundraising on behalf of my partner, Eden, AKA Fisher. We won’t be using their full name due to safety concerns. We need to raise approximately $22,000 by the end of August so that Eden can immigrate to Ireland to access vital medical care before their life-saving medication runs out in the US. The consequences of failing to get them there are medically severe, possibly lethal, and heartbreaking to consider! Please consider donating and sharing this fundraiser with others. I promise their life is more than worth the effort. We will do so much good together if we can get them adequate medical care. Here’s Eden’s situation in their own words: “My name is Eden and I am a trans person with several rare, complex diseases. I need funds to immigrate to the EU to access reliable, affordable medical care before my life-saving medication runs out at the end of August. I am multiply disabled by a number of complex conditions. They drastically complicate my activities of daily living during periods of access to adequate medical care, while rendering me unable to participate in my own life due to the severity and frequency of my medical crises when I do not have access. I have several rare diseases, which require specialized medical treatments and medications that are expensive and difficult to obtain in the US. I am on Medicaid to supplement the insurance I have through my full-time job as a disability support services case manager, but I remain unable to afford vital medications and other essential healthcare. The challenges I face will only be exacerbated further if proposed Medicaid cuts go into effect. Some of my medications are no longer produced for US consumers and will become nearly impossible to obtain. One of these treats the severe mast cell disease that has frequently landed me in the ER, exacerbated cardiopulmonary conditions, and led me to develop a chronic wasting syndrome. Other treatments are costly and difficult to acquire in the US, as individual medication components must be imported to specialty pharmacies for custom compounding. These medications are approved for use, more effective, and much easier and more affordable to obtain in the EU. I am projected to run out of my current medication at the end of August 2025. The decision to ration, even as a temporary measure, is not something I make lightly, as it means knowingly increasing my risk of medical crises and further disability. I have already had to discontinue more effective medications for my conditions because I was unable to afford their extremely high costs and frequently had to decide between refilling them or paying rent/other essentials. Losing access to my current treatments will cause me to deteriorate quickly and substantially increase my risk of further medical crises. Lack of adequate interventions will exacerbate my poverty, worsen my quality of life, and increase the risk of additional complications and death. If I do not take initiative now, I fear I will lose the ability to flee the country, live independently and pursue my passions. Living in the EU would grant me access to medical care, safety, and opportunities I am losing access to in the US. My health is likely to stabilize and improve with appropriate, sufficient medical care. The chronic stress, fear and safety risk of being a disabled trans butch wheelchair user would also be significantly lower in the EU, allowing me to meaningfully heal and strengthen my bodymind. Once safely in Europe, I plan to rebuild my life through work and involvement within my local community, attend to my medical needs, and collaborate with my partner, Fleur, to establish connections to help more at-risk people in the US find safety abroad. I qualify for citizenship in the Republic of Ireland, but lack the funds to relocate there. Due to my low income, lack of family support, and costliness of medical care, I cannot make meaningful progress towards saving to immigrate by the end of August alone. Your donations will help me achieve physical safety and well-being, allowing me to avoid devastating medical outcomes and continue to work to help others in need. Donations will go towards the costs needed to immigrate to Ireland and get on my feet while I find work, housing and healthcare. This includes transportation, moving costs, legal fees, home and personal essentials, short-term living expenses, medical care, funds to import my service dog in training, Sasha, and other necessary expenses. I’ve estimated that I’ll need about $22,000 to do this. Any donation, no matter the size, is appreciated!” -Eden

Donation protected

My name is Fleurian Filkins. I’m fundraising on behalf of my partner, Eden, AKA Fisher. We won’t be using their full name due to safety concerns. We need to raise approximately $22,000 by the end of August so that Eden can immigrate to Ireland to access vital medical care before their life-saving medication runs out in the US. The consequences of failing to get them there are medically severe, possibly lethal, and heartbreaking to consider! Please consider donating and sharing this fundraiser with others. I promise their life is more than worth the effort. We will do so much good together if we can get them adequate medical care.

Here’s Eden’s situation in their own words:

“My name is Eden and I am a trans person with several rare, complex diseases. I need funds to immigrate to the EU to access reliable, affordable medical care before my life-saving medication runs out at the end of August.

I am multiply disabled by a number of complex conditions. They drastically complicate my activities of daily living during periods of access to adequate medical care, while rendering me unable to participate in my own life due to the severity and frequency of my medical crises when I do not have access. I have several rare diseases, which require specialized medical treatments and medications that are expensive and difficult to obtain in the US. I am on Medicaid to supplement the insurance I have through my full-time job as a disability support services case manager, but I remain unable to afford vital medications and other essential healthcare. The challenges I face will only be exacerbated further if proposed Medicaid cuts go into effect.

Some of my medications are no longer produced for US consumers and will become nearly impossible to obtain. One of these treats the severe mast cell disease that has frequently landed me in the ER, exacerbated cardiopulmonary conditions, and led me to develop a chronic wasting syndrome. Other treatments are costly and difficult to acquire in the US, as individual medication components must be imported to specialty pharmacies for custom compounding. These medications are approved for use, more effective, and much easier and more affordable to obtain in the EU. I am projected to run out of my current medication at the end of August 2025. The decision to ration, even as a temporary measure, is not something I make lightly, as it means knowingly increasing my risk of medical crises and further disability. I have already had to discontinue more effective medications for my conditions because I was unable to afford their extremely high costs and frequently had to decide between refilling them or paying rent/other essentials.

Losing access to my current treatments will cause me to deteriorate quickly and substantially increase my risk of further medical crises. Lack of adequate interventions will exacerbate my poverty, worsen my quality of life, and increase the risk of additional complications and death. If I do not take initiative now, I fear I will lose the ability to flee the country, live independently and pursue my passions.

Living in the EU would grant me access to medical care, safety, and opportunities I am losing access to in the US. My health is likely to stabilize and improve with appropriate, sufficient medical care. The chronic stress, fear and safety risk of being a disabled trans butch wheelchair user would also be significantly lower in the EU, allowing me to meaningfully heal and strengthen my bodymind. Once safely in Europe, I plan to rebuild my life through work and involvement within my local community, attend to my medical needs, and collaborate with my partner, Fleur, to establish connections to help more at-risk people in the US find safety abroad. I qualify for citizenship in the Republic of Ireland, but lack the funds to relocate there. Due to my low income, lack of family support, and costliness of medical care, I cannot make meaningful progress towards saving to immigrate by the end of August alone.

Your donations will help me achieve physical safety and well-being, allowing me to avoid devastating medical outcomes and continue to work to help others in need. Donations will go towards the costs needed to immigrate to Ireland and get on my feet while I find work, housing and healthcare. This includes transportation, moving costs, legal fees, home and personal essentials, short-term living expenses, medical care, funds to import my service dog in training, Sasha, and other necessary expenses. I’ve estimated that I’ll need about $22,000 to do this. Any donation, no matter the size, is appreciated!” -Eden