Help Loki Get Back Independence

From stocking local community fridges with homegrown produce and running a period pantry, to seed sharing and running eco workshops, Loki is a seed and food security activist and farmer who truly walks their talk. Unfortunately this superstar has been slowed down due to illness and needs our help.

Covid-19

In October 2023, Loki had their third COVID-19 infection and developed Long Covid. They spent three weeks in bed in December and constantly felt sick. In February 2024, Loki’s GP sent them for tests and referred them to the very long waitlist for one of the only clinics in the province with specialists treating Long Covid and suspected Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

There is no cure or treatment for ME, but patients are recommended to pace - rest, dial back on activities, and reduce exertion - and practice energy conservation in order to prevent worsening. Pacing lowered Loki’s capacity for farming. Having to move slowly and rest frequently put them behind on everything. By June about a third of their plot was unplanted and they were having trouble maintaining what was already in the ground. They made the difficult decision to not plant the rest of their crops and work with what was already there.

Re-infection

In June 2024, Loki caught covid for the fourth time. It was an incredibly mild infection, and Loki radically rested and took a course of supplements to help prevent long term damage. Despite this, the re-infection led to a crash which included a hospital trip. That crash was one of the scariest moments of Loki’s life, causing them to spend July and most of August completely bedridden.

At one point during the crash, Loki required spoon feeding. They were shaking too hard and were so weak that they couldn’t use a utensil. They couldn’t walk ten feet from the bed to the door without collapsing. They were unable to bathe, stand, or think. When they had energy, they sobbed.

A Difficult Decision

At this point, Loki made the difficult but necessary decision to quit farming for the season. They were also forced to give up a $20,000 new farmers grant from the BC Government. There was no way they could get caught up on the farm, let alone follow through on the grant project.

In October they gave up their beloved farm completely, realizing they were no longer able to do the work required to maintain it, even at a much-reduced scale.

A Diagnosis

After months on the waitlist, Loki was finally able to receive care from an internal medicine specialist and received a diagnosis of ME, as well as possible Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) pending further testing.

Loki has developed new food allergies, their IBS has returned, experiences cognitive deficits, and they are constantly fatigued in a way that hurts their entire body. They can’t make the logical connections they used to, and they struggle to focus and find the motivation to do the things that normally interest them. The slightest bit of activity makes them dizzy, turns their body into jelly, and makes their heart race.

Life Impacts

Every day Loki has to decide where their energy will go, what the highest priority item is, and is it achievable and safe to do so?

On a good day, it takes Loki over an hour to go to the grocery store two blocks away and they can’t do anything else for the rest of the day. Driving a car requires breaks to pull over and rest because sitting upright and paying attention is exhausting.

Loki is currently working from bed at home as they are unable to sit at a desk. They do life-maintenance tasks that must be done and can’t be delegated. Anything outside of that must be carefully planned - every single action carries a cost-benefits analysis.

Loki has been in a crash - a period of severe worsening for an extended period of time - and has been housebound and often bedbound for over a month.

Your Help

Energy conservation is a large part of preventing worsening in patients with ME. To help with energy conservation, Loki is looking at purchasing a convertible rollator/wheelchair and shower grab bars. The rollator/wheelchair is not simply a mobility aid, it is a lifeline that will enable Loki to experience life outside of their bedroom.

Being able to sit anytime they need while being outside of their home, and having a space to put their bags instead of carrying them, would give Loki more freedom to exist outside of their bedroom! When they are unable to walk, being able to convert the rollator into a wheelchair would give them access to the outside world.

Loki is unable to shower standing up and uses a shower stool. Getting in and out of the shower is challenging, as is getting up from the stool once they are sitting. Installing grab bars would make the process easier and safer.

Loki doesn’t have extended health coverage. Not only did they lose the grant money and farm income, but they’ve had to cancel all of the paid workshops they were meant to facilitate. While their income has dropped, their medical costs have increased. There are no approved drug treatments for ME, everything prescribed is off-label. Currently they’re spending over $400/month on prescriptions and over $100/month on supplements recommended by their healthcare team.

Expenses

Your help will enable Loki to purchase the following items and two months of medications to give them a buffer. Any money raised over the goal amount will go towards ongoing medical expenses and treatments.

Prestige 2 in 1 Rollator: $1495

Phone holder: $29.50

Travel cover: $189.95

Accessibility installations

Shower grab bars x 2: $125

Installation: $100

Bath tray: $75

Bedroom caddy: $100

Two Months Medications: $1000

Total: $3,239.45

Goal: $4000

Thank You

Your generosity will not only help Loki obtain the much needed rollator, but will also contribute to their ongoing medical needs and alleviate financial strain during this ongoing challenge.

Let’s come together and make a difference for Loki. Every donation, no matter the size, brings Loki closer to the independence and freedom they deserve.

Thank you for your support, compassion, and kindness.