Hi, my name is Jo, and I’m reaching out for help during one of the hardest times in my life.

I have a severe hiatal hernia that has grown much worse. My diaphragm has a large hole in it, and my intestines, spleen, and other organs have moved into my chest cavity. This is pressing on my lungs and making it hard to breathe. Even light activity leaves me gasping for air. It’s also pressing on my heart, which causes dangerous AFib symptoms — sudden dizziness, chest pain, and episodes that force me to stop whatever I’m doing.

On top of this, the hernia has caused me to aspirate in my sleep multiple times, which may have caused lung damage. The acid from aspiration has already damaged some of my teeth, which I recently had repaired with help from my mum.

Eating has become painful — food and gas get trapped, and the discomfort can be unbearable. My quality of life has dropped to almost nothing.

I live with autism and severe agoraphobia, which already make everyday life challenging. I’m on a disability pension and have been trying to support myself through small creative projects, like making colouring books and 3D-printed items, but these bring in very little income.

Unfortunately, this surgery is not covered by my medical benefits. The costs are overwhelming — I’ve already paid for multiple scans, and just the procedure to insert a camera down my throat is quoted at $750. This doesn’t include hospital fees, anaesthesia, pathology, or the actual surgery, which will be much more.

I’m scared about my health, the future, and the mounting costs. But I’m also holding onto hope that, with your help, I can finally get the treatment I need, breathe without pain, and reclaim my life.

If you can contribute, no matter how small, it would mean the world to me. If you can’t, sharing this page would also help so much.

Thank you for reading my story and for any kindness you can offer.