Help with Medical Bills, and with disability living expenses

Hi, my name is Diana and I have a chronic illness.

Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose, and by the time I was officially diagnosed in July 2022, the symptoms were already drastically affecting my life. I no longer had the energy to do the things I loved. Recently I even had to give up singing with my second family at the KC Women’s Chorus. I just simply had no more energy to give. Getting through a normal day of receptionist work drained every bit of my energy and willpower.

I had to quit my second job at the KC Renaissance Festival, when I could no longer walk long distances or stand for long periods of time. There are also no more paid music gigs, since I am now physically unable to play my instruments. Most of the ways in which I previously supplemented my income require too much of the energy that my disease constantly depletes.

My full-time position provided medical insurance, but the salary was just barely enough for me to make ends meet. And even the insurance plan with the smallest yearly deductible required me to pay at least $3500 yearly. That’s two months of my take-home pay. Recently, in 2025, my illness became so bad that I can no longer work, so I have no medical insurance any more.

For the past few years, my doctors have tried different treatments to help manage my constant pain and fatigue, trying to make my life more bearable and less miserable, trying to enable me to keep working. I have spent all of my life's savings, including all of my retirement savings, in addition to racking up credit card debt to cover those deductibles.

I’ve also had to pay for a major car repair, and lifestyle adjustments such as walking aids, fall safety precautions, home grocery delivery, etc. My home and garden are in disrepair because I have no money or energy for repairs or basic maintenance.

So here we are. I am finally, with great embarrassment and shame, admitting that I can’t do this alone. It’s not sustainable. The late payment fees are piling up. I have done the best that I can and it’s still not enough.

I need help.

I hope that my friends, family, and community can give me enough support to help me see some kind of light at the end of this tunnel. Any donations will be used to pay for my medical debt, any new medical expenses, and to catch up on my bills. I have applied for disability benefits, but it will be months more before that is approved, and in the meantime I need to pay the bills somehow.

If you have read this far, thank you. I would appreciate any financial assistance, no matter how small. If you can’t help with a donation, I would also appreciate any good thoughts and positive vibes that you can send my way. And please do something kind for someone today. Let that ripple out into the universe, we desperately need it.

With all my heart, thank you.