Help Wendy McDaniel Cruz Through Her Health Battle

For those who do not know me, I am Wendy (McDaniel) Cruz, RN. For the last 13 years, I have worked as a nurse, most recently being an RNCM and private care nurse for hospice patients. In addition, I have spent countless hours at the bedside of people around my community in need of a little help during their last days. Caring for others is my passion and it's who I am.

I hope to somehow continue to do so in the future, whether through some kind of work or volunteering, as I am able.

My story is somewhat long, so I will attempt to condense it. In 2019, while working as a hospice RNCM, I went from completely healthy one day to passing out 6-7 times daily the next. Literally, every day. It took months to find a doctor who wouldn't just tell me to see a shrink or that it was in my head. I was finally diagnosed with Dysautonomia. A couple of months later, I received a pacemaker. Passing out became minimal, but symptoms continued. But I was able to return to work after being off for nearly 7 months. I lost a lot during that time. A couple of months later, my pacemaker perforated my heart, causing me to be off work for another month while I was struggling to get caught up. I then moved to be closer to my dad and friends in the Columbus area so I would have support. I was able to work for less than a year when I then had a stroke in 2021. Loss of income again. My father took me to see a disability attorney who said I definitely needed to file, but that meant not even working part-time, which left my dad covering ALL my expenses for quite some time. It was too much. I was starting to feel better after a ton of therapy and convinced myself I could go back to work full-time. After going through multiple jobs since 2022 due to medical issues, losing jobs due to hospitalizations within the probationary period, having other health issues pop up, surgeries, etc., which brings me to now...

On Sept 29, I was admitted to the hospital for 8 days for hypoxia/hypoxemia. They found no cause at all, per usual. I was discharged home on oxygen. I am okay without it when I am sitting for the most part, but need it on to do much of anything at all. In addition to that, I am still dealing with low blood pressure, tachycardia, severe chronic pain, new onset neuropathy, and more. I am scheduled to see multiple specialists between Nov-Jan and am finally realizing I have no choice but to file for disability. That being said, I have zero savings, zero income, and I've already sold everything I own, aside from clothes, etc. I need your help to stay afloat—honestly, to survive—the next several months while I fight for disability.

I am extremely blessed to have been provided a home to live in during this time. But I still have expenses such as my phone bill, car insurance, gas money to get to/from appointments, groceries, etc. There will be miscellaneous needs that everyone has (laundry detergent, personal care items, etc.). And lastly, I will be losing my car as I am far behind, the payment is too high, so I will need to somehow come up with funds for a dependable used car. In addition, I cannot lose my dog and with that comes pet expenses.

I am praying that I am approved for SSI/SSDI within 6 months or so. Please prayerfully consider helping me during this time. I am committed to giving back to my community in any way that I am able. Any dollar amount would be so helpful.