Help Meg Stay Afloat During a Difficult Time

Hey, guys! I'm Meg.

If you're reading this, I want to thank you for taking the time to give my fundraiser a look. Making the decision to set this up was difficult for me. I'm not very comfortable with attention, and far from comfortable asking for financial assistance, especially without having anything to offer in return. But I need help, and as someone with a history of remaining silent when I'm struggling, I didn't want to make the same mistake again.

I started taking medication for depression and anxiety in August 2019. In no time, I felt like a brand new person. For a year, I felt happier and more at ease than I could recall having been in even my most distant memory. Then in August 2020, I began having panic attacks at the onset of work, and throughout the day, and my work performance and attendance began to suffer. Since then, I've been working with doctors to find the right combination and dosages of medication to control my anxiety. But each new dose or medication comes with new side effects - some manageable, some debilitating. Last month, my doctor discontinued working with me as a patient, due to their lack of success in treating my anxiety.

During the eight months I worked with this doctor, they refused to support a short term disability application (something they don't do for any patient), and resisted filling out FMLA documents - eventually filling them out incorrectly. Over this same period of time, my anxiety has grown worse, as has my depression, leaving me laying awake all night, and unable to get out of bed during the day.

I've recently started working with a new doctor who supports my need for time off work, but who can not fill out FMLA or short-term disability paperwork for a minimum of three months. Meanwhile, I've used all of my sick, holiday and PTO time, and have missed full weeks of work. My doctor has written a letter to excuse me from one month of work, and I am currently using that to support an unpaid Personal Leave claim. Unfortunately, Personal Leaves can't be intermittent, meaning I can't work, even when I'm able, and I simply can't afford to lose a full month of pay.

A very long story short - in order to preserve my job and take the time I need to improve my mental health - the unpaid personal leave is my best option. But in order to survive, I will need financial help to keep my bills and rent up to date. Humbly, I'm reaching out for help from those who are able.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this, whether you are able to donate or not. I appreciate the love and support.

Meg