Help Izzie Bridge the Gap!

Hi All! My name is Izzie McLoone.

I’m not someone who enjoys asking for money, but I need help covering living expenses after being out of work following a medical emergency.

On June 6th, I woke up with severe pain, discharge, and extreme light sensitivity in both of my eyes. I was barely able to see, and fully unable to read, drive, use any technology, or work. After a trip to Urgent Care and an emergency visit to an ophthalmologist, I was diagnosed with a severe, bilateral case of a condition called Scleritis.

Scleritis is an aggressive inflammation of the sclera (the white part of your eye) that is often linked with chronic auto-immune conditions (I have been living with Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis since 2007). While I’ve long since learned to accommodate my existing autoimmune conditions as part of my life, the scleritis was a totally new and unexpected diagnosis.

Because of the pain and the heavy impact on my vision, I was required to go on unpaid medical leave from work until cleared by a doctor to return. I attempted to apply for short-term disability assistance, but due to issues involving my recent switch to a new job, that option was not available to me at the time. What we originally thought would be just a couple weeks of recovery turned into over six weeks out of work and with no income.

(To make matters worse, this incident took place just after my boyfriend Zane and I returned from a vacation, so my safety net was already lower than usual.)

Thankfully, with treatment my eyes have fully improved from this flare, and I now have a better sense of what warning signs to look for in case the symptoms return. I’m back to work this week, but it will take time for paychecks to start coming in. However, in the meantime my emergency fund has been utterly depleted. (Zane has been helping to front the cost of payments I can’t afford, but there’s only so much he can cover on top of his own expenses).

With the end of the month coming soon, I’ve realized that I have no choice but to reach out to my community for help with some of this coming month’s expenses, to help me bridge the gap until I can build back and replenish. I know times are tight for everyone, and asking for money like this is something I’ve never done before. But any donations you can spare will go towards my August rent, as well as car payment / insurance, groceries, gas, and other necessary, immediate expenses.

Any gift is hugely appreciated. If you are unable to donate, if you could please assist by sharing this to your network, that would be amazing! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out, and I am happy to answer them. Again, thank you all so much!