Hi my name is Lisa Bobal I am 59 years old and I live in Hammonton NJ I’ve never done anything like this but I’m pretty darn desperate. I’m in a position I never thought I’d be in. I’ve always been an independent hard-working individual and spent most of my free time helping others. Unfortunately I am the one now in need of help I can’t seem to find any.
I unfortunately sustained serious TBI in May 2017 of all places in an ER the very place I went seeking medical attention for something unrelated and left there critically injured.
I reported back to work soon after actually too soon after . I struggled with my job duties trying to hide my disability used my lunch breaks to go to therapies for vestibular issues /vision issues etc.or sleep since I was having a very hard time staying awake. The job was short of help and very stressful and demanding with no compassion for injury or sickness.
My world kept getting smaller since no one could understand what they can’t see. I spent almost every day going to doctors emergency rooms specialist EMTs seemed like nothing was working right in my body. I pushed through even though I was targeted by coworkers and family for not being myself due to injury they could not see. I needed my job my life depended on it I have bills like everyone else and I needed the medical insurance. I sustained an additional TBI
in July of 2018 and 10 days later another.
Things kept getting worse still trying to hold down a job go to doctors etc. used most of my resources to pay someone to drive me to appointments I haven’t driven since May 2017 except very local which is difficult due to visual impairment and fatigue. I reached out for FMLA at work and disability accommodations which didn’ t work out well. The work environment became very hostile and it was suggested I take a medical leave of absence. I was declining
rapidly due to lack of time to heal and additional head injuries , my memory became poor cognitive ability was poor my vision poor sleep poor extreme anxiety etc. unfortunately without support systems I got worse sought out some counseling but really nothing was working. Obtained special glasses from Wills Eye tried all kinds of different eye ware evidently brain and eyes not cooperating , extreme headaches and fatigue ruled my life and constant stress
was destroying my entire body. I’ve had multiple hospital stays during the coronavirus which added stress upon stress which I’m not telling anybody anything they don’t know in these crazy times we’re living. I suddenly collapsed on many occasions so I don’t really leave my house unless it’s an appointment. I had another head injury in October 2020 and one in November 2020 spent the week before
Christmas in the hospital . I lost my job in January since they would not hold it any
longer. With my job went my income and my health benefits. I have applied for
retirement disability but can take
6 to 10 months to be approved or not
approved . I have to pay health premium.and
uncovered medical bills and living. expenses till then and I have no income or savings or
resources and no where to go and no family or friends that are in a position to help. I am embarrassed and humiliated even asking for help since so many people are in dire need of assistance right now.
I do plan to pay it forward when I get on my feet. This was an unexpected circumstance in a pandemic who would have thought it right? I appreciate your time if you’ve read this and any assistance would be greatly appreciated if not no worries I understand. Sometimes one act of kindness can change a whole persons life I’ve seen it . Thank you ,please stay safe.