*Update 5/9/26: Had a new MRI done this week, then a follow-up appointment. My MS is progressing. It was stable since my initial diagnosis, but a new lesion was found on my brain. The area it is in is why I intermittently lost my ability to speak and had severe coordination issues around the holidays. The area the lesion is located in is also concerning, as it causes disability. More lab work was done, and now the next course is to start medication…which is no easy feat with our current situation. We need help now more than ever. Still no new job news for Mom, either. Please assist any way you can. *

Hello, thanks for taking the time to read through this. It has come to a point of crisis for my mom and I, and there is just no way to handle finances without the help of others right now. My Multiple Sclerosis makes it impossible for me to “work” in the traditional sense, and my mom’s career just ended unexpectedly. That’s 2 full incomes lost now. We’re scrambling to pay bills and just…live. Additionally, I need to be able to get healthcare and go to my appointments, including several MRIs annually & follow-up appointments for monitoring brain lesions.

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in July 2023, rendering me now physically disabled and unable to work. My symptoms started November 2021, and I lost my corporate career in February 2022. It happened shortly after telling my manager I was sick with MS symptoms…though my contract had just been renewed for the year.

My SSDI case is still ongoing after 3 years, has been denied 3 times, and is not usually favorable for those under 65. The payout would be significantly less compared to what I used to make, and it’s not even guaranteed. That means zero income for me now. I have symptoms daily, there is no cure for MS or medication that will help with current symptoms, and I’m still in the process of figuring out what I can do. I was barely even able to finish a small design project. If you saw me in December, you know I lost my ability to speak (temporarily, for a month). Even my neurologist was alarmed by this, though it’s a common MS symptom.

I don’t come from a wealthy family. I don’t have a close or generous family (those who were have passed on), and instead is one plagued with alcoholism and domestic violence. We’re both domestic violence survivors, and abuse has a lot to do with being later diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

Any savings were used up years ago. My things are worth more to me than retail (though I’ve parted with a lot), and I don’t have a partner anymore to carry me through this. On top of it all, my mom just lost her corporate career after 17+ years there.

It’s been a rough life full of ups and downs, but we tried to make it easier, safe and comfortable for our family. As a child, my mom arrived to the U.S. from Poland on a ship. Learned a new language, started a new life with my aunt and grandparents. Skipped a grade. Became successful. Had 3 children, and survived nearly 2 decades in a marriage with an abusive alcoholic. She made huge changes, a safe home, got her Master’s, became a director at her company. Now with newer leadership, mom’s successful, long-term tenure was terminated. Yes, she consulted with an attorney. She was everyone’s point person, and has a great rapport that has lasted decades. I also had many achievements in my education and career, including being a member of ASID, AIGA, and Mensa, but right now they’re all moot.

We have to pay a mortgage, rent, for vehicles, bills, life, etc. We’re educated, successful, independent, frugal ladies, but we can’t make it alone right now. Living together long-term unfortunately isn’t an option, and we’ve consolidated all we can.

We’ve been through so much, I don’t know what else to do except keep trying, pushing on, and asking for help. My mom is the most caring, giving, selfless person I know. Please share and assist any way you can while we struggle through this time and try to find a new way of survival. Thank you!