Help Maegan Heal and Breathe Again

Maegan Mercer-Bourne, who is only 36, and one of the healthiest people I know, just spent two weeks in the hospital. She had norovirus and pneumonia, which was complicated by necrotic tissue pockets that the virus left in her lungs. She's home safe now, and beginning her physical therapy, thank goodness, but her full recovery will take some time as she literally learns to breathe again. We are deeply relieved that she is alive, but as is often the case in America, this does not mean that she is out of the woods.

This summer, the federal government stopped the COVID emergency measures that funded Maegan's college tutorial position. This meant that Maegan had to transition to working an adjunct position, and therefore went from having a full-time job with state health insurance to paying out of pocket for a high-deductible plan on a much-reduced salary while she worked two part-time jobs to make ends meet. This was not Maegan's fault, or due to any lack of planning or forethought on her part. Many people as healthy as Maegan wouldn't have bothered to purchase out-of-pocket health insurance at all, and there's nothing she could have done to save her full-time job.

But I bet you all can see where this is going.

Maegan and her family (Loren and Lineia) were already struggling to adjust to Maegan's decreased income when this terrible illness struck them out of the blue. A two-week hospital stay is tough for any family to endure financially. With only high-deductible insurance coverage and with Maegan unable to work until she is fully recovered, the financial impact of this incident has been catastrophic.

I have personally been the recipient of Maegan and Loren's help many times. When I worked at Shaw University, Maegan was my immediate superior, and her flexibility and kindness made it possible for me to run a theatre festival while still working full-time. Loren once saved my butt by substituting for a main actor in Little Women when that actor could not make a show. Loren swooped in 15 minutes before the curtain and gave an admirable performance with zero rehearsal time in a borrowed costume with script in hand. Many audience members couldn't even tell he was a replacement. It was awe-inspiring.

I'm sure that if you're viewing this link that Maegan and Loren have helped you, too. That's just the kind of people that they are. So it's our responsibility now to help them back, when they need us.

Please donate to help Maegan and Loren keep their heads above water so that Maegan can rest and recuperate instead of rushing back to the two jobs she's currently employed at.

Thank you all so much for considering it.