Hi, I'm Rainier, a 42-year old trans, nonbinary person. Last year, around December 15, I felt a tearing sensation in my shoulder while lifting a box at work. In the following days, I experienced some of the worst pain in my life (nerve pain), plus numbness, tingling, loss of sensation in my index finger, chest and back pain, and weakness. My left arm became a stranger, and one I didn't trust, because I never knew when I would drop whatever was in my left hand.

I didn't have money for a co-pay to urgent care, so I hoped the pain would go away. Ibuprofen couldn't touch it, but acetaminophen became my best friend. By January 3rd, I couldn't take it anymore and went to urgent care. My activity restrictions meant I couldn't work at all, so I've been on medical leave since that urgent care appointment. I haven't been with the company (grocery store chain) long enough to qualify for PFML or FMLA. It's been a financial struggle, but workers comp pays a little (around $1,100/month) and friends have been supplementing my lost wages. Unfortunately, I don't have any biological family to lean on.

My workers comp claim has been hindered considerably by red tape, and I'm at another knot in the bureaucratic road again. I've received different diagnoses depending on the doctor and their specialty, so what workers comp has coded for my injury doesn't match the assessments from my primary care physician and my physical therapists. This is a problem for workers comp rules, I guess, and my lost wage payments stopped without notice. I have not been paid in a month, since March 23. I've got $16 in my bank account and only $40 of credit available, as of April 20.

On April 17, my cat also had a seizure. She is fortunately doing fine, but I would like to get her into the vet sooner rather than later to know what is going on. She is around 19 years old and full of life. It will be at least $400 for the initial exam and bloodwork.

My platonic glucose guardians have done what they can this month, and I only have the option of crowdfunding left to make sure I can at least get rent and vet fees covered, if workers comp doesn't come through before May 1.

It's likely that I will need additional financial support through May and maybe into June, depending on if I'm cleared to return to work at the current estimate (May 4), how many hours I can work per shift, and how many shifts I'm given (I'm told this shouldn't be an issue but you never know).

If back pay from workers comp comes through before May 1st, I need $1,620 to get me through the rest of the month and get T'amber's preliminary vet fees covered. If payment is delayed further, I'll need $2,720. Here is the breakdown of April's expenses:

May expenses are the same except $30 for my credit card payment and an additional $75 to cover two sessions of therapy ($150 total). My minimum need for April, without workers comp, is $1,860 (to cover rent and vet costs). Everything after that will cover bills and supplies. If more than $2,720 is raised, extra money will go toward next month's expenses. If I'm able to go back to work in May, my need will be greatly reduced.

Any amount helps, and sharing on your various socials would be a great help, too! If you prefer to donate without additional fees, you can find me on:

I have one additional diagnostic exam coming up, a nerve conduction test in my left arm this coming Thursday. I assume anything coming back wrong or abnormal means my leave extends. I will update my GFM need as things change over the next weeks and months. Thank you so much!