We worked hard this year to figure out what we were going to do for next year and we have some ideas, but unfortunately, we still can't afford our healthcare. This country SUCKS for healthcare! (yes, and for other reasons but I am going to attempt to stay focused!)

So I have created another fundraiser. I'm sorry. This is not what my husband and I had planned on for our lives.

First, I want to thank you all for the help you gave us to pay for our health care. Thanks to your generosity, we managed to keep me on the insulin pump and the Dexcom, get a new and better fitting AFO prosthetic, and get new shoes. Seriously, shoes that fit an AFO are expensive! I now have 2 pairs of shoes and 1 pair on the way! For the first time since my amputation, I have more than one pair!

Thanks to you, this happened and we were able to pay our bills and to eat! Food is good!

Unfortunately, we are going to have to do this again. I know we are not the only people who need help, and if you can’t help then we completely understand. We are both trying to do other things to bring in extra money. Al is drawing and I am using my creativity to think outside of the box. If we bring in any money outside of the fundraiser we will be adjusting the goal.

So, what is the $8000 for, exactly? Last year my out of pocket cost was $5500 but this year, the cheapest plan that was available, the in network out of pocket individual is $6200. Extremely grateful that my husband is healthy because we EACH have a $2000 deductible and the $6200 out of pocket cost so that WOULD be a total of $16,400 a year. This does not count what is taken out of his paycheck each month. Last year we raised $8000 for me, and then we stopped and we will continue to do so, as long as each of us stays as healthy as we can. I am not changing the goal for this year, as of yet. Bodies don’t always work the way we expect, and unfortunately health insurance is no different. It is difficult enough to ask for help.

In conclusion I would like to add that we greatly appreciate all the advice we got. We looked into each and every one but unfortunately, we were denied. The issue is not that my insurance won’t cover my devices or my medication. The issue is that they WILL, but we can’t afford to pay THEM. And the fact is there is no help for people who cannot pay for their health insurance. (That will probably be a rant somewhere. Bluesky, Mastodon, here. Who knows but it WILL happen.) If you happen to have a part time job in your pocket that will pay about $700 a month and no one will get upset when I have to call in for my numerous doctors’ appointments, and is accessible to me from home with a vision impairment then by all means, yes please hit me up.

Ok this is long. I am not a writer because *points to everything written above* but I probably should be. I apparently have thoughts and words.

We thank you so much. Goodness even if you just read this big long explanation, thank you!

TL;DR Please help us pay for our health insurance. I have diabetes and we can’t afford to keep me alive. We love you, and we hope you have a wonderful day!

Amy and Al