Hi there, my name is Dani! Though a lot of folks online know me as Squid.

Here's what's going on:

Back in April of this year, I took a couple of weeks off of work as I was struggling a bit mentally and started to have some really intense joint, hip, lower back and leg pain.

Fast forward to a bit more recently, one trip to the ER as well as a trip to a bone and joint doctor, I was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia and other deformities of the hips. Basically, my hips are weirdly shaped and not sitting in my hip sockets correctly which has lead to hip joint snapping/cracking, something I've experienced since I was born. Doctors said I would grow out of it multiple times when I was a newborn-toddler. All of this has led to a labral tear and labral cyst on my right hip, which has caused daily discomfort and throbbing pain that radiates through my hip, thigh, knee and even into my lower back. My bone and joint doctor highly recommended and referred me to a surgeon for a very invasive hip surgery to correct the issue.

Last thursday, I traveled 3 and a half hours from Upstate NY to Boston, MA to see and speak with a surgeon. It's unfortunately the closest surgeon who specializes in the surgery I need. I currently have the procedure scheduled for August 11th. I'll be in the hospital for about 2-4 days depending after the surgery is completed and then will be on crutches for 6-8 weeks as well as out of work for at least 2-3 months (all recovery progress depending). Getting this procedure is going to correct the joint issues and prevent further damage to the bones and tissues as well as prevent early onset arthritis.

Thing is, I am still going to be on leave and out of work until further notice. I need to stay employed with my current place of work so I can utilize my insurance for the procedure and doctors visits I have had so far and moving forward. They don't have any light work accommodations for me either (it's a heavy lifting warehouse job) so I cannot even go back briefly until the surgery date. Commissions have been helping but they are just not busy enough at this time.

What I am asking for is enough to cover my car payment, car insurance payment, rent, phone bill and some grocery for the next 4 months so I can comfortably afford living while out of work and recovering after my procedure.

If anyone is curious about me receiving disability- the company affiliated with my place of employment that takes care of short term disability did a lot of miscommunication on their end with me about my previous application and them along with my doctors are dragging their feet, so I haven't received anything for the last 3 weeks. I'm unfortunately running out of funds. I still don't really receive a livable wage as I only get 60% of my paycheck and the state of NY takes about $170 of it as well.

Thank you so much for reading. Anything helps, including just sharing this around.

-squid