As some of you may know, in 2019 I left my position with the Social Security Administration, largely because I could no longer manage the work with my chronic health issues. I transitioned to working for the State of California, which involved taking a huge pay cut. I was optimistic that I would be graduating from graduate school in Summer 2020 and would thus be able to quickly advance in my career. I am a disabled woman of color and I knew I was taking a huge chance to bet on happiness over economics but I thought I was prepared.

Then the pandemic happened. I had to drop out of school, in addition to all state employees receiving a 10% budget cut that was effective July 2020. 

I recently had a medical emergency that required me to take two weeks off work. I am supposed to be in weekly treatment going forward but at $100 a session, there is literally no way I can afford it. My car is currently the only operational vehicle for my house and steering column is shaking all the time. I have to take it in on Saturday and I don't know how I'm going to pay to fix it. I owe $2000 in taxes, $50000 in personal loans and my car registration is due this month. I don't know how I'm going to pay for any of it. I'm at 107% of my available credit with no help in sight.

So I'm asking you, if you can, to please help. I'm scared and I don't know what comes next. I don't want to get evicted and I don't want to file for bankruptcy and I have no clue what I'll do if either of those situations come to pass. But if I could fix my car, that would be a start. It would be one less thing to be terrified of. And seriously, every little bit helps.

Thank you