Hey friends!

We're writing this because after two years of escalating health issues, things have reached a critical point where we need to call on our community for substantial help.

A bit of background:

As many of you already know, Themme Fatale has been forced to step back from performing due to being disabled by Long COVID, POTS and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, for which there are currently no cures or approved treatments. Experimental medications can provide some limited symptom relief, however these require specialists and private prescriptions that cost hundreds of dollars a month.

Vida has also had to make a large career shift this year due to worsening Stage 4 endometriosis making them unable to continue working in construction. Their surgery is finally coming up on December 20 which is exciting, however due to the severity of their endo (that includes extensively fused organs and may require partial organ removal), they're expected to be out of action for months afterwards. Not to brag, but their specialist said it's some of the worst they've ever seen.

Ultimately things have been extremely difficult, but as two previously capable, creative, and independent people, we've been trying to stay positive and girlboss it out as best we can with what we've got. We've put our whole pvssys into taking turns being each others carer and support which we're both grateful to be able to be, and also feels like a fine blades edge to dance on.

Enter: DECEMBER OF DOOM

This month, it was discovered that Themme has a syrinx growing inside the spinal cord of their neck - it is effecting their coordination and the use of their hands, and can cause paralysis if it continues to grow. The only available treatment is invasive spinal surgery.

(Spine) Hole on main? In this economy?

The same week, our sole vehicle (that we rely on to travel to frequent medical appointments) had the radiator explode. And then got vandalised on the street. Because of course.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

Both our sweet angels Raoul and Beyblade were hospitalised at the emergency vet this week due to the parasite outbreak currently occurring in Naarm/Melbourne (heads up folks with pets!). Thankfully they have received treatment and are both on the way back up, but not before racking up more than $6500 in bills.

Things have already been really challenging (being disabled is expensive, and both of us losing access to our regular sources of not only income but fulfilment and identity at the same time has been a doozy). We're so grateful for the folks who've already helped us survive this far, but these additions while we're both unable to work have made things reach a crisis point, so we are coming to our community for help to try to get back on our feet.

We're asking for help in order to:

To be really honest it's hard to need this much help - we both wish we were in a position to be able to handle this ourselves, however that is often not a dignity offered to disabled people in this country. The available funding is simply not enough to cover basics, let alone multiple simultaneous emergencies. Themme is always yelling "We are all we have, We are all we need", and so I guess this is us being forced to really internalise that.

Anything you're able to offer makes a huge difference. That being said - we know that lots of people are struggling at the moment, so please please only give if you are in a position to be able to afford it yourself.

Thank you so much for reading this far <3

Love,

your Dads, Beyblade & Raoul xoxo