Help Overcome Health Struggles and Secure Basic Needs

Most of you know part of or all of my story for the last few years. But in short, my current state began, like many, with COVID in 2020, but since then has declined in a number of ways. I've had a broken neck and cervical fusion which has left me with nerve damage and persistent neuropathy. I've developed and been diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) leaving me exhausted and fatigued to the point of being bed-ridden numerous times throughout the month. I've been diagnosed with brain damage on both sides of my brain—white matter lesions to be specific—and I was recently diagnosed with severely low testosterone, contributing to worsening many of my daily symptoms. And this is the very short version.

All of this has contributed to me being physically restricted in almost every facet of my life. I play guitar less, or hardly do any of the hobbies I enjoy. I rarely—if ever—leave the house, cannot perform my previous job on which all my work experience was built, and struggle to do basic household chores and take care of myself.

Recently, the disability benefits I was receiving from previous employer were ended, and while I have an appeal process I can go through, it is a lengthy one. My disability application through the state was also denied a few months ago, though it is currently being reviewed again, and I'm waiting for another case manager to take a look at it. I spent 2yrs waiting on my disability application, nothing about it is quick, especially in the state I live.

I received my last benefit check this month, and have thankfully paid all of this month's bills. But next month's bills and after are a different issue. $1850 will cover my rent, power, and phone, and barely the cost of food for a month. During this time I'm hoping to make progress on getting treatment through my endocrinologist, and possibly find remote work I can do from home, as consistently leaving the house is just not feasible for me.

I thank you all for donating, sharing, and taking the time to read this.