In 2023, I suffered another car accident. I developed cervical dystonia as a result of the accident. I went through misdiagnosis for over a year until late 2024. The other driver did not have insurance. Because I was misdiagnosed and receiving incorrect treatments for over a year, my insurance coverage on my car insurance for my medical treatments was exhausted quickly. So even though I am anticipating a possible settlement, it will be small if ANY, and a lot of the money will unfortunately have to go towards medical bills that were not covered once my medical benefits from the accident were exhausted. During the time I developed the cervical dystonia, I had to quit my career field and move into dancing since dancing was surprisingly less physically demanding than what I was doing, and I could modify my movements to accommodate myself. Even then, I couldn't work much. I accumulated a lot of debt during this time.

That isn't the end of my story concerning medical issues. After this (in late 2024) I started immunotherapy. I was having bad reactions to the immunotherapy that started bordering life-threatening reactions such as an itchy throat and lip swelling. I am undergoing full treatment for Mast Cell Activation syndrome. At the peak of my severe reactions to the allergy shots, I got Norovirus that lasted 2 weeks and did not fully go away for a month. I never fully recovered after this and have remained incredibly sick this entire time, becoming disabled and often completely bedridden. It has now been over a year. I tried to push myself for months, tried to engage in my hobbies, and tried to work. I was only able to work 1-2 times a month, and anytime after I leave my home or try to act "normal" like go on a hike, I am extremely sick right after or the next day. I didn't realize what was going on with me, and many people around me were invalidating what I was going through, so I didn't understand how sick I actually was and continued to push myself, which I believe made things worse. In the last 4 months, I have become totally barely functioning, unable to work, do chores, errands, have difficulty walking, raising my arms, showering, laundry, standing, cooking, and even taking care of myself in basic ways or administering my own medication to myself. I am still extremely symptomatic despite being on 10+ medications. My entire day is dictated and controlled around my medications and timing on taking them. My care is coordinated between countless specialists (many who are the head of their entire departments and highly esteemed), physical therapists, Post Covid Rehabilitation / POTS rehabilitation therapists, occupational therapists, functional medicine doctors, and TWO primary care doctors.

My full list of diagnosis are: POTS, cervical dystonia, PMDD, chronic urticaria, chronic angioedema, and although I’m being treated on the full aggressive treatment plan for mast cell activation my immunologist technically can’t give me an official diagnosis because I haven’t had a high tryptase result- which are incredibly time sensitive tests and difficult to capture. All of these things affect my nervous system, hormones, GI system, and give me a full systemic response where my entire body is impacted. My mental health has also been greatly impacted by feeling loss of control over my body, health and wellness, and overall my life.

I have started rehabilitation and soon will be in physical/occupational therapy and rehabilitation 4 times a week, as well as weekly IV infusion therapy. I need to focus on my healing and my recovery. I have no quality of life currently as it stands. I cannot live like this. My only concern right now should be getting better and managing my illness. I am doing everything I can to focus on my health. My weekly treatments do not include constant doctor appointments and follow-ups.

I recently ended up getting diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. My doctor suspects I have had this since childhood because I had symptoms throughout my life with long periods of "remission." I started having severe fainting spells when I was 14, which did resolve. I had autoimmune responses my whole life, sometimes having hives for 6 months at a time. When I was 19, I had a similar severe autoimmune reaction to a strong dose of antibiotics from an infection, got long-term hives and fatigue and POTS-like symptoms, but I was gaslit and ignored by every doctor I saw. I dealt with the symptoms and tried to manage them with Chinese medicine, and they eventually went away after 6+ months. My doctors now believe I may have a genetic disorder like a connective tissue disorder, a venous disease, Chiari malformation, or autoimmune disorder, and I am currently undergoing a full workup for all of these things.

Since I have been unable to work, debt is stacking. My partner and I have had to take out multiple loans to pay rent and bills, car note and insurance, and my car is necessary to be able to make it to my medical appointments. I have 55k total of debt, and I pay around 700 a month not including my car note just to pay the interest, and it isn't paying off the actual debt at all. Utilities are not being paid and now are in the thousands owed. Even though my partner works, his job is inconsistent income and has been incredibly slow. He is also an independent contractor. Before I became disabled, I was able to work and supplement all our income when it was slow for him. Now I am not. I am facing food insecurity, I am constantly scared about becoming homeless, and scared about utilities being shut off in spring. I couldn't afford to fix my car, so I had no choice but to take out another loan and get a whole new car, even though I had my old one almost fully paid off.

I have an advocate who is helping me apply for disability, but even if and when I get approved, it will NOT cover all my bills, debts, and costs. It is a 6-month waitlist to get my intake appointment to even begin the process. Even then, I may not qualify. It takes on average someone 6 years to get approved for disability, and they usually need to pay an attorney thousands of dollars to help them (which I don't have). I can't even afford to hire an attorney to file bankruptcy for a lot of my debt.

The constant fear and stress make it difficult for me to focus on my healing and recovery. The financial instability makes it impossible for me to relax. Please consider donating to help me recover in a good way and bring peace and stability into my life. I can't work. I went a long time without asking for help, and I am now in a horrible situation.

All funds will go to rent, bills, debt, food, transportation, medical treatments, and holistic treatments and therapies not covered by insurance, and my few medications which are not covered by insurance. I’m also hoping to hire a weekly cleaner for about 70-100$ per week. I don't know how long I will need treatment. I'm hoping around 7-8 months. I am hoping to recover and I will gain remission once again. I want to believe I can manage my symptoms if I put in the work.