I am a queer, disabled, and immunocompromised person sunk in debt and debilitating long Covid, with no family to help support or advocate for me. They have shown during the pandemic that they are willing to risk my health for the sake of preserving a sense of normalcy (I have changed my name to avoid retaliation from them). I could really use your help.

I am in need of $3000 to put out some short-term fires and improve my situation. I may raise the amount as needed, but $3000 seemed like a minimum that would help me put some important changes in motion. I will automate this goal, starting with $1,400.

What Happened

I have debilitating long Covid that keeps me largely housebound—often bedbound—and isolated. I used to sometimes take walks and take nature pictures (see above)—I love watching atmospheric light play on plants and surfaces. Back then, I would even visit a coffee shop (while masked) once in a while. However, I can no longer digest coffee without serious heart palpitations and a general worsening of symptoms, so I have given it up.

I contracted Covid in September 2020, which quickly turned into severe, debilitating long Covid, from which I have never recovered.

I have since been infected twice more, once by my mother, and the most recent case being last May, after which two moles on my back got noticeably larger and I acquired new painful, seemingly permanent inflammation in my lungs. I am very concerned about my likely significantly raised cancer risk.

For six years, I have struggled with immune compromise, POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), frequent SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine storms, brain fog, PEM (post-exertional malaise), blood clots, sudden air hunger, and more.

I am American and unable to afford healthcare fees or monthly insurance payments. I would not be able to afford proper medical care for my condition, even if I could find it or if it existed. There is no cure for long Covid.

Over time, I have found supplements and dietary choices to help reduce some of my symptoms, but it isn’t enough to stop the palpitations, PEM, or regenerate my immune system.

I worked as a professor and was once capable of PhD research, but I had to quit in-person work when my symptom burden became life-threatening and my workplace was not accommodating. Intermittent brain fog and brain changes have decreased my ability to think as hard and long as I used to be able to do without my body crashing. I do half of my online teaching off-camera now so I can lie down and avoid straining my spine, restore proper blood circulation to my head, and avoid accumulating pain in my muscles.

I teach online part-time now, but I cannot work enough to afford healthcare or, increasingly, groceries. Savings are zero.

I cannot acquire disability status/payments from my government, as the amount I make in an average month is just slightly over the limit. What I earn in a month, however, is likely to decrease significantly as we move into the summer. That being said, it is nearly impossible to obtain disability status and payments for long Covid in the US.

I have a few thousand (single digits) in tax debt I am unable to pay. I have some credit card debt from not being able to afford groceries and needing to purchase health tools that allow me to avoid further infection and chemical fragrance contamination (portable clothes washer/spinner, hypochlorous acid for disinfectant, and replacement filters for my air purifier). I have been able to make the minimum payment each month until just last month, unfortunately, and I seem unlikely to make next month’s.

Unfortunately, as it is spring break time and approaching summer, not to mention tax time, students and parents are seeking my services less and less often, and my funds are drying up. I may need to find a new remote job, since I cannot work in-person anymore without extreme high-risk to my health. Remote jobs are very difficult to find, however, even more so those that pay a living wage.

My condition also makes me more heat-intolerant—a sufficiently hot day can have me flat on my back almost catatonic, just to stop my heart pounding and feel my brain and lungs function at least something like normal. The last few years, I’ve spent most of the summers this way. It is mid-April right now, and I am already feeling this way, even as I type this.

This is especially relevant right now, as I am currently in a rental unit that is starting to act like a sauna now that temps in my area are rising. My landlords also need me to leave, since they require the space for visiting family by the end of May. I am trying to leave this unit as quickly as possible.

As I continue to get buried under the increasing cost of living, my debt, my debilitating condition, another sizzling summer, and decreasing returns on the work I do, I am reaching out to you for some serious assistance.

How You Can Help

Clearly, I have several fires to put out. I’ve put a minimum of $3000, because it seemed like a good minimum to help me make some significant positive changes to my life. GoFundMe is automating this goal, starting at $1400.

I pay rent consistently and regularly cut into my food money in order to make minimum monthly loan payments. I want to smash my tax debt and credit card debt, leave my rental unit, and land in a more secure unit where the cost of living is more affordable.

If you can donate to my cause, I would be eternally grateful. If you can share this with a caring community, I would also be eternally grateful.