I am raising funds to repair my car’s engine after a couple of unexpected hospitalizations.

My name is Alex and I am a physically and mentally disabled Uber driver. For years, I have been struggling with what I now know to be scoliosis (a diagnosis that was missed for over five years) and have finally gotten the sciatica it causes under control. I’ve been hospitalized twice in the last four months from other health concerns and work as an Uber driver when I can to support myself. The first time was for two weeks near the end of October 2025, then again for a week in January of 2026. While I am hospitalized, I am unable to earn the money to support myself. I am still reeling from the financial rippling these stays have caused.

Recently, I've been trying to put my life back together after these hospital stints, but my car has begun having engine issues. It feels like the engine is misfiring; it starts shaking when going speeds above 20 MPH, calming a little between 35-40 MPH, before getting worse again, hitting its peak loudness at 50 MPH. Accelerating too fast causes the engine to chug (not a comforting sensation when you are the passenger in the car.) Being unable to drive my car means being unable to support myself, to say nothing of how I am supposed to earn the money to fix my car while I am… unable to drive my car.

Everything I had was already taken after leaving the hospital, and I don't have the money to cover this new bill. And because my car is my livelihood, this will spiral out to be catastrophic if I can't get my car repaired.

To be completely honest, I feel like a failure. I have been at the mercy of Medicaid, getting my groceries from food pantries for two years, all while trying to put myself through school. Normally, I would have a financial aid windfall at this point in the semester, but now that I have actually finished my masters, I find I am no more employable than before. On one hand, I feel like I’m begging; on the other hand, I simply am trying to become an independent member of society again, but I can’t do that from this side of this Catch 22.

This kind of engine symptom could be caused by any number of issues and could cost anywhere from $200 to upwards of $7,000 (though I am hoping it will not be that expensive.) Regardless, I am asking for $5,000 (subject to updates as needed):

250 is going toward the diagnosis itself.

3,000 is going toward engine repairs.

1,500 is going toward bills that Ubering would have covered

250 is being held for GFM fees

I am still awaiting a reply from the transmission shop I have used in the past. While I am well past any 90 day warranty, maybe being a repeat customer, along with my sob story, will work in my favor.

Will you consider donating $15 to help me fix my car and continue to put my life on track after medical and financial hardships? These donations will help me fix my car and help me keep my utilities from getting disconnected.

Thanks for all your support!