From Illness to Wellness: Medical Support Fund

“When “I” is replaced with “We”, even illness becomes wellness.”

- Malcolm X

Invisible Disability, or hidden disability, is an umbrella term that captures a whole spectrum of hidden disabilities or challenges, primarily neurological. Invisible disabilities, or hidden disabilities, are defined as disabilities that are not immediately apparent.

About 10% of Americans have a medical condition that could be considered an invisible disability.

25% have some activity limitation, ranging from mild to severe; the remaining 75% are not disabled by their chronic conditions.

Although the disability creates a challenge for the person who has it, the reality of the disability can be difficult for others to recognize or acknowledge. Others may not understand the cause of the problem if they cannot see evidence of it.

Generally, seeing a person in a wheelchair, wearing a hearing aid, or carrying a white cane tells us a person may be disabled. But what about invisible disabilities that make daily living a bit more difficult for many people worldwide?

Individuals with invisible illnesses/disabilities have a harder time receiving the necessary assistance for treatment and the basic living essentials because they “look fine” and don’t fit the stereotype of looking sick. The average denial rate for disability benefits in the USA is 67% (SSA.gov).

My name is Jasmin Hudgins and I am one of 32 million Americans who is afflicted with multiple invisible disabilities. After 20+ years of suffering unknowingly, I was diagnosed with Behcet’s Disease in 2012, a rare auto-immune condition that attacks my blood vessels all over my body. Two years later, I was diagnosed with Crohns and Fibromyalgia. Since then, I have also developed rheumatoid arthritis, orthostatic hypertension and bipolar disorder type 1 (which has been linked to Behcet’s Disease).

Despite these diagnoses, I still persevered and accomplished great things over my lifetime. I was told I would be permanently disabled by the age of 30. However, I traveled the world, moved to the US Virgin Islands, obtained my undergraduate and master’s degrees in the Sciences and excelled in my career in Laboratory Medicine.

In November 2021, my conditions progressed to a point where I could no longer work and disability assistance would be required to maintain a functional lifestyle. The recommended treatments needed cost $1,000s per month. One treatment, alone, is $1,400. Biologics, a common treatment for autoimmune ailments, has been quoted at $7,691 per month.

I have been denied multiple times by the SSA, stating I am not disabled despite the medical and psychological assessments from medical professionals, and I am currently in the process of appealing the decision so I can get the help I need. These appeals can take months, even years before being processed. In the meantime, I am still unable to work or receive the medical attention I need due to lack of financial resources.

I created this campaign, not only to get assistance for medical expenses while we go through the appeal process, but to spread awareness of the invisible illness community. I am selling buttons to promote awareness and raise money for my medical expenses at www.chroniccomfort.myshopify.com.

If you would like to donate another undisclosed amount, please feel free. Any contribution is most appreciated during this challenging time.

Proceeds will go to medical expenses and living expenses:

Labs and imaging

Prescriptions

Doctor/Specialist copays

Rent

Thank you for the compassion and support! You are most appreciated.

-Jasmin Hudgins