This has been the hardest holiday season of my life. Between multiple surgeries on my eye, heart, and foot, I’ve already paid thousands out of pocket. I had to take a full month off work for foot surgery, and I still have a month left before I’m fully healed. Every time I work, it feels like a risk — I know my coworkers don’t mean to, but my foot has been accidentally stepped on several times, making recovery even harder. To date I have spent $19,000 out of pocket not to mention the regular co-pays for doctor visits and medication.

Earlier this year, I lost vision in one eye from a retinal vein occlusion, requiring several injections and laser surgeries. Shortly after, I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, wore a heart monitor, took blood thinners, and underwent heart ablation surgery. Years of dancing on Broadway and off-Broadway left my foot in terrible shape. Surgery was necessary, but insurance refused to cover the plates and screws, leaving me with significant out-of-pocket costs. Recovery is slow and painful, but I keep going because I have no other choice.

On top of this, my mother was recently hospitalized in South Carolina with an infection. She has advanced dementia and doesn’t recognize me anymore. Between my health, recovery, and my mother’s condition, this has been the hardest year — and the hardest holiday season — of my life. Asking for support is incredibly hard for me. I don’t do this lightly, and I’m not asking because I feel entitled to anything — I’m asking because this year has brought challenges I cannot face alone. Any help is deeply appreciated.