My name is Destiny.

I am an avid Taylor Swift fan, love to embroider and paint while also watching Murder She Wrote far too late in the evening. I am asking both friends and strangers for help today on my health journey.

This year has been a lot of ups & downs. In July, I experienced sudden hearing loss affecting only my right ear. I woke up on a Saturday morning and realized that my ear felt very stuffed, I was hearing a lot of ocean/static noise in it, voices were distorted and my understanding of words decreased.

Initially, I thought it was allergies and treated it as such. At the urging of my PCP (and some help with the very high copay), I was able to get in with the wonderful folks at UTSW in early August. After multiple visits and rechecking my hearing, they confirmed that I have sensorineural hearing loss in my right ear. My continued care and symptom progression ultimately led to my diagnosis of Ménière's Disease, an inner ear disorder that causes fluctuating hearing loss, vertigo and dizziness.

Of all of the health issues I have dealt with, this one in particular hit the hardest. To be frank, I cried for days. Not because I was afraid to be someone with hearing loss or that I didn’t know there were options available, but because I was just in real genuine shock that something like this could happen so suddenly.

During this time, I underwent 3 unrelated MRIs, multiple x-rays, sonograms and blood testing, visits with Neurologists, Rheumatologists, Orthopedic Surgeons and Internal Medicine Specialists to explore RA, MS, Spinal Issues and Lupus. Though we ruled these out (among others) I continue to suffer from mobility loss primarily in my right leg. Needless to say, this has been a very desperate time in my life. I have a strong support system, but this year has beat my spirit down in ways that I have never expected. I have lived my life with chronic illness, but nothing has tested me in the way that 2025 tested me.

After continued testing, and a lot of time, I received a diagnosis of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. This is a genetic Connective Tissue disorder which causes me chronic fatigue, joint instability, gastrointestinal issues, dysautonomia and pain plus a whole host of other symptoms. Everyone with this condition is different, but it impacts my life quite a bit and to have a name is both devastating and grand. But unfortunately for me, this is only the start of my journey living with hEDS. I require continued care such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, plus visit co-pays to both new and existing doctors.

I come to you with an offer and a request. My medical bills are staggering, and I have only more to go. I am currently sitting in around 30k worth of debt due to medical bills and just life in general. But my primary ask is for help for future care. Short of selling off all of my records (which, admittedly would both hurt my heart but also not generate more than $200) I have already sold Taylor Swift Cardigans and assorted random items that I have in hopes to just push it towards the debt.

Any aid you can give is helpful to me beyond words.

All money received will go directly to this debt and continued medical care.