My friend Morgan Straughan Comnick is a very talented writer, a caring wife and teacher, and she also needs your help.

We asked Morgan to make a statement:

“My name is Morgan Straughan Comnick. I’m a teacher of children grades kindergarten to third grade, mostly in children's home facilities, special needs, and/or need alternative school settings. I’m also a writer, poet, and broadcaster.

“In addition to my jobs and interests, I was bestowed a number of ailments: hemophilia, chronic headaches, scoliosis, and a hiatal hernia, to name a few.

"But the one that has ensnared me is Lupus, an autoimmune illness that affects numerous aspects of my life.

“When it flares up, which is often, my body fills with inflammation. My overactive cells trigger when I am in the sun for more than ten minutes or weather changes.

"Now activated, rashes cover my face and arms, and my limbs feel like steel that is painfully shoved into my bones. Brain fog and fatigue become extreme. I’m prone to anemia. And with my immune system weakened, any bug can knock me down and dangerously so.

"Over time, there’s a good chance my active cells will become more aggressive and attach themselves to organs, such as kidneys, heart, brain, etc.

“There’s tons of tests with Lupus too. My annual blood work alone is very expensive, even with insurance.

“This occurs with little to no warning, I often miss work, and making my writing deadlines is almost impossible. I ache for all I miss, hate the sadness of missing another day with my students, the pounding voice of failure when I don’t have the energy for my cherished loved ones and writings.

“Another problem with Lupus, and its related challenges, is financial. Because of my illness, I don’t always get the hours I need from my job. When I miss, I’m docked and have not always been able to catch up the time. All this causes more stress, which is not good for my body, and I’ve sadly had to reschedule labs, appointments, and split medicine because I didn’t have the copays or money.

“As of January, one of my Lupus prescriptions is no longer under my insurance, and the price is now to a point I cannot afford.

“My dear husband has a full-time job, and my family has been wonderful at helping when they can. However, it doesn’t make up for my lost hours, nor the rising cost of my medicines. As a result, I am now behind in bills, payments we need to live, and with fees for being late only multiplying…I cannot keep up.

“I feel pitiful, not just in my health but in my soul. It hurts, dealing with this stress, the guilt. I cannot take care of myself, and the frustration of what this chronic condition has taken from me.

"So here I am, bending the deepest parts of my heart and kindly asking for your help.

“If my writing has made you smile, or you’ve enjoyed any of my nerdy videos, or my cosplay, please consider donating. Any would be helpful and much appreciated. Also, please SHARE this on your social media.

"Love, Morgan"

Thank you for caring and for your help.