Helping Jen Get Back on Her Feet (Literally and Financially)

I know it’s a financially difficult time for so many people right now, and I really don’t reach out for help unless I really, really need it. But I’m at that point, and I do need to ask for help. Please take a moment to read my story.

On February 27th, I was in an e-bike accident and severely broke my leg — a tibial plateau fracture in my left leg. I had surgery to repair it, which meant inserting a plate and nine screws. I was out of work for over six months. When I was finally cleared to return to work at the end of August, I still had physical restrictions and medical accommodations. I’m walking now (which I’m so grateful for), but I’m still in recovery — I limp and use a cane to get around.

My work for more than 25 years has been in the food industry, and that means being on my feet almost constantly. Most recently, I’ve been working in corporate catering, which requires standing and moving about 99% of the time. So, as you can imagine, going back has been tough.

Since early September, I’ve been working with my employer to find a position that fits within my current limitations, but progress has been slow. For the moment, they’ve found some remote work for me, and that’s going well — though for the past two months, I’ve only been averaging around 20 hours a week — less than $2,000 a month — which simply isn’t enough to live on. I’ve been looking for other work, but with my mobility still limited, finding something that fits my physical situation has been difficult.

Throughout my medical leave, I’ve done everything I could to keep myself afloat. I was so grateful to receive state disability, but it truly doesn’t pay enough to survive. Since I was underemployed when this accident happened, my claim was exhausted after the fifth month — but my surgeon didn’t release me back to work until six months after my accident, so that month gap has taken any reserve I had left. I applied for and received several financial grants from charitable organizations just to cover rent — and honestly, I wouldn’t have made it through without that help. I’ve also been on SNAP, which, as many of you know, are expiring on November 1st. I still have a little left in my account, but with no new funds coming in, that will dwindle quickly.

Right now, I have just enough to cover November rent, and then I’m pretty much at zero.

I hate asking for help, which is why I’ve waited so long. I’ve been trying to find a way through this on my own, but things just aren’t moving fast enough. The next few months are going to be rough, and I’m simply asking for a little support to get through this stretch while I continue to heal and get back on my feet — literally and financially.

Any amount helps, truly. Your support will go toward rent, groceries, and basic bills while I work on rebuilding stability and getting back to full strength.

Thank you for reading, sharing, or donating — it all means more than I can say.

❤️ Jen