Help Laid-Off Disabled HHS Fed Compete for USA at U.S. Open

Hey there! Thank you so much for your time in learning more about my story. I am disabled with Parkinson's Disease and a rare congenital heart condition from birth that has required 24 heart surgeries, partially mechanical heart, and 10 minutes of death on Christmas Day 2022 from cardiac arrest (ventricular Fibrillation) until my brother and EMTs brought me back to life (grateful zombie here).

I was diagnosed 12 years ago with young onset Parkinson's Disease, and playing table tennis has helped keep my Parkinson's under control. I now compete on the USA Parkinson's National Table Tennis Team, inspiring people worldwide to not let their struggles stop them from achieving their dreams in life.

I was supposed to compete for the USA at the Scottish International Parkinson's Open for table tennis in Scotland on August 16th and 17th, however after working for the last 23 years in the federal government, I was laid off from my IT Specialist job at Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and I'm on administrative leave until 6/2/25. With no job and no income, I will likely be homeless, eventually without medical insurance, and unable to represent the USA at the Scottish International Open.

I am hoping to instead compete at the U.S. Open this December in Las Vegas and raise the $2000 I need to cover the airfare, room and board, and competition entry fees for both myself and for my caregiver.

I have won bronze medals at the 2018 U.S. Open, silver medal and bronze medal at the 2019 Parkinson’s World Table Tennis Championships. However, in my opinion, the "true gold medal" when I compete internationally is the honor of representing our country. I am devastated that me and my entire office got laid off, so if I'm given the chance, with your help, to represent our country in the spirit of friendly competition, this would really help my Parkinson's and allow me the privilege to inspire others to face life's challenges with a smile and with a ping pong paddle in hand.

Thank you for your time.