My name is Hailey, and I never imagined I’d be in a position where I’d need to ask for help. I’ve been working since I was 14 years old, and I’m 33 now—I’ve never not worked. When I was 18, I worked construction with my dad for five years. One day, I fell off a roof on the job. The doctors didn’t take my pain seriously because I was young, and I never got the MRI I needed. I’ve lived with chronic pain for over a decade, pushing through every day and working wherever I could.
Last year, while working at Panera, I coughed and suddenly my back gave out. I collapsed and couldn’t move, and EMTs had to be called. After finally getting an MRI, they realized I needed a steroid shot, but because I have Medi-Cal, it took months to get the appointment. By the time I got the shot, my back had gotten worse. Just three days later, I woke up paralyzed on my left side. I was so scared and felt guilty about calling an ambulance because I didn’t want to waste taxpayer money. I crawled to my car and drove myself to the hospital, then crawled through the parking lot until someone helped me. The doctors found that a disc had slipped into my spinal cord, causing paralysis. I had emergency surgery and spent nine days in the hospital, learning to walk again.
I thought recovery would be easier, but I’ve been constantly sick, unable to eat, and have lost a lot of weight in less than two months. Just a couple weeks ago, I was rushed to the ER again and diagnosed with colitis, an infection, and sepsis. My doctor said if I’d waited even two more hours, I wouldn’t have made it. I’m so grateful my mom let me move back in, but I still have bills to pay—car insurance, registration, my phone, and basic groceries. I don’t even have food in my fridge. I feel pathetic even asking for help, but I want people to know I’ve worked my whole life and I’m just trying to find some temporary support while I recover. My primary doctor told me to get on disability, but the process has been impossible—medical records, the website, and even the phone number are always having issues, and I haven’t been approved even though my doctor says I can’t work yet. I have a couple more procedures coming up before I can return to work. All of my medical issues are fully documented by my doctors, and I’m happy to answer any questions. Any support would mean the world to me and help me regain stability while I recover.
Last year, while working at Panera, I coughed and suddenly my back gave out. I collapsed and couldn’t move, and EMTs had to be called. After finally getting an MRI, they realized I needed a steroid shot, but because I have Medi-Cal, it took months to get the appointment. By the time I got the shot, my back had gotten worse. Just three days later, I woke up paralyzed on my left side. I was so scared and felt guilty about calling an ambulance because I didn’t want to waste taxpayer money. I crawled to my car and drove myself to the hospital, then crawled through the parking lot until someone helped me. The doctors found that a disc had slipped into my spinal cord, causing paralysis. I had emergency surgery and spent nine days in the hospital, learning to walk again.
I thought recovery would be easier, but I’ve been constantly sick, unable to eat, and have lost a lot of weight in less than two months. Just a couple weeks ago, I was rushed to the ER again and diagnosed with colitis, an infection, and sepsis. My doctor said if I’d waited even two more hours, I wouldn’t have made it. I’m so grateful my mom let me move back in, but I still have bills to pay—car insurance, registration, my phone, and basic groceries. I don’t even have food in my fridge. I feel pathetic even asking for help, but I want people to know I’ve worked my whole life and I’m just trying to find some temporary support while I recover. My primary doctor told me to get on disability, but the process has been impossible—medical records, the website, and even the phone number are always having issues, and I haven’t been approved even though my doctor says I can’t work yet. I have a couple more procedures coming up before I can return to work. All of my medical issues are fully documented by my doctors, and I’m happy to answer any questions. Any support would mean the world to me and help me regain stability while I recover.
Organizer
