Help Skye Overcome Unexpected Financial Burden

Hi, my name is Skye. I’m a trans woman who has worked incredibly hard to build a life for myself. But right now, I find myself in a position where I need help—something I never imagined I’d be asking for.

I’ve always been determined to create a future where I can live fully and authentically. I took on a job in healthcare, where I received a $1,500 sign-on bonus. I used that money to pay for medical schooling, which I hoped would be a stepping stone toward a career that would allow me to help others. I had a plan, and I worked hard to make it happen.

Recently, I was offered a new opportunity—a better job that would move me closer to my goals. I left my old position, knowing I’d need to repay the sign-on bonus. But I was ready for that—I’d accounted for it. What I didn’t expect was the weight of what came next.

Out of nowhere, I received a $1,000 bill from a local small, a therapy office I had trusted and turned to during a vulnerable time. This was a place that was supposed to help me work through my struggles and be a source of support. Instead, this same office has shut down without any notice and left patients like me completely stranded. The bill that they sent doesn’t even show up in my account, and despite my attempts to reach out to them for clarification, I’ve received no response. All I’ve been told is that the full amount is due by May 30th—with no way to pay it in installments, no way to dispute it, and no way to explain why I’ve been left in this situation.

The total amount of debt I’m facing now is overwhelming. Between the $1,500 sign-on bonus I need to repay and the $1,000 therapy bill, my total debt adds up to $2,500. This includes the money I owe from my sign-on bonus, which I expected, and the unexpected debt from the therapy office, which came out of nowhere and I was blindsided by.

This bill has hit me harder than I could have imagined. I’ve already paid off my student loans, done everything I can to stay on top of my financial responsibilities. But this debt, combined with my existing obligations, is overwhelming. I’m stuck between paying for hormone therapy—something I need to live authentically—and paying off a bill from a business that has ghosted me.

It’s hard to explain how much this has taken a toll on me. It’s not just about money. It’s about feeling abandoned by a place I trusted, being given no explanation or support, and now being left to pick up the pieces alone. I can’t afford to do both—pay for my hormone therapy and pay this sudden, massive debt.

I’ve always prided myself on being independent, on handling things on my own, but this is different. I’m at a breaking point, and I don’t know what else to do.

I’m asking for help—not out of desperation, but because I need a lifeline. If you can donate even a small amount, or share this with others who might be able to help, it would give me a chance to make it through this without losing the progress I’ve fought so hard for. This isn’t just about money—it’s about my health, my future, and my ability to live authentically.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Any support, big or small, will make a world of difference.

With love and deep appreciation,

Skye Austin, NREMT