My name is David, and I’m asking for help because I have reached a point where I can no longer keep myself financially afloat while dealing with serious, chronic health problems.

I grew up in poverty in a family that has carried generations of trauma and financial hardship. For most of my adult life, I tried to do what I was supposed to do: work, contribute to my household, and keep going even when things were difficult. I worked physically demanding blue-collar and warehouse jobs and spent years trying to remain employed despite my health.

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was a child. Diabetes did not suddenly stop me from working. For years, I managed it while continuing to work. Over time, however, my health became increasingly unstable.

I began experiencing frequent and unpredictable hypoglycemia, major changes in my insulin needs, severe fatigue, chronic migraines, disrupted sleep, and worsening mental-health symptoms. Physical activity can cause my blood sugar to drop rapidly, and low blood sugar can affect my concentration, energy, judgment, and ability to function normally.

I also live with PTSD, depression, and severe anxiety. These problems do not exist separately from my physical health. Poor sleep, migraines, recurrent low blood sugar, financial stress, and psychiatric symptoms all make one another harder to manage.

I tried for a long time to keep working anyway. I relied on medical leave, workplace accommodations, missed time, and help from family just to hold onto my job. Eventually, I could no longer reliably maintain the attendance, concentration, energy, and consistency required to keep working.

I am now going through the Social Security disability process, with a hearing scheduled for October 9. While that process continues, I have very little income and the bills have not stopped. My dad is also struggling to keep up with household expenses, and the financial pressure on both of us has become overwhelming.

I am asking for help with basic necessities such as food, utilities, transportation, medical expenses, household costs, and debt while I continue treatment and wait for my disability case to be resolved.

I am not asking for help because I gave up on working. I spent years trying to push through worsening health problems before reaching this point. I do not know exactly what my health or ability to work will look like in the future. Right now, I am focused on staying medically stable, continuing treatment, keeping a roof over our heads, and getting through this period.

Any donation, no matter the amount, helps give me a little more time and stability. If you cannot donate, sharing this fundraiser would also mean a great deal to me.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and thank you to everyone who has already helped me. Your support means more to me than I can adequately put into words.