Help retired zookeeper with medical bills

Hello, my name is Grace Rexroat. I'm 27 years old, and since childhood I have been passionate about animals and animal behavior, which led me to the University of Minnesota and a career in zookeeping. Now, unfortunately, three significant medical issues and injuries have stopped me in my tracks, making it possible (maybe even likely) that I will not be able to return to my career.

I began my career at the Houston Zoo, working as a primate keeper (from lemurs to gorillas) and was about three years in when I got sick in July 2020. I left the Houston Zoo to move home to family in Kansas City. Brain surgery to fix a chiari malformation (my brain is too big for my skull!) followed in November 2020.

After recovering from surgery, I returned to my profession as a zookeeper at the Kansas City Zoo in May 2021. Shortly after starting that position, I was in an accident that resulted major medical issue #2: a concussion (traumatic brain injury - TBI) and pinched nerve in my neck. This new injury forced me to leave my career field again. I have been unable to work a job, either in zookeeping or elsewhere, due to these injuries and the resulting severe symptoms.

Now for medical issue #3: in November 2021, while still healing from the TBI in May, I injured my lower back and ended up in the hospital. A torn annular ligament and bulging disc has resulted in even more pain, a longer healing journey, and a possible back surgery down the line.

My life has drastically changed due to these injuries. I am in constant, incapacitating pain with little relief and am no longer an independent 20-something. Unfortunately, I have not yet been approved for social security benefits. Medical bills and daily expenses are a constant struggle. I haven’t received any income since May and my savings are almost gone with my credit card bills getting higher. I’ve also been paying for COBRA insurance since last October, and that alone is $500 a month.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Behavior from the University of Minnesota and now I’m unsure what my future in this field will look like. I'm devastated that these health problems have taken me away from my life-long passion of working with animals and doing active education and conservation work. I hope to return to some version of this career path, but the time-line of my recovery is vague and fluid.

My family and friends have helped so much, but I’m at the point where I need even more help from the community. Any amount donated will help me get through this complex and challenging time and I can’t even begin to thank you.