EDIT - Please scroll down for the May 2023 update below.

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Kaye Luecke (formerly known as Megan) is a 32-year-old, non-binary person. You may know Kaye from UC Berkeley, or Contact Improv, or the Rationality Community. Every day, Kaye struggles to eat and sleep enough due to their trauma, and can’t tolerate many of the ordinary stressors of daily life. They have complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) and physical disabilities, such as chronic nerve pain, that severely restrict their ability to work. I have organized this campaign so that Kaye can afford a stable place to live, get the specialized treatment they need to progress in their recovery, and afford treatment for their physical conditions.

An Appeal from Kaye’s Friends

Gustavo: "I met Kaye through the Berkeley Rationality Community. They are one of the sweetest people I know, and their laughter is powerful enough to lift me out of a bad mood. They are a sensitive and empathetic soul, and would contribute a lot more to our world if their basic needs were met. " 

Terran: “Kaye is a gentle, caring person with a talent for enjoying simple pleasures even in challenging situations. They have a contagious innocence and lightness about them. Whenever they're able, they enjoy caring for those in need and sharing in others' happiness."

Kaye’s Story

Kaye began experiencing nerve pain in 2010, a few months after graduating from UC Berkeley. Kaye saw dozens of doctors, but they were unable to diagnose or treat their symptoms. By 2012, Kaye’s pain had grown so debilitating that they were no longer able to work. Fortunately, Kaye's employer-sponsored disability insurance enabled them to continue to seek treatment until they were finally diagnosed with late-stage Lyme Disease in 2013. By the time Kaye started treatment in 2014, they were unable to use their hands, stand, or walk for more than a few minutes at a time. Antibiotics treated the infection, and out-of-pocket treatments helped with the lingering nerve pain, allowing significant progress toward recovery over the next few years. 

In 2018, Kaye lost their employer-sponsored disability insurance. They were able to pick up part-time work as an afterschool teacher, but they could no longer afford many of the treatments for their nerve pain. Over the next two years, Kaye struggled to keep their symptoms under control and maintain stable housing, often relying on the goodwill of friends and family. By early 2020, Kaye’s symptoms were well-managed enough that they were able to do gig work helping people in the Rationalist Community and cooking for a disabled friend.

However, a few months into the pandemic, Kaye started experiencing flashbacks, extreme dissociation, and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder that left them terrified of being near people in many ordinary circumstances. They were forced to stop working almost entirely. Over the past eight months, their symptoms have worsened. Even with medication, Kaye now has immense trouble eating, sleeping, and coping with the ordinary stressors of daily life, leaving them unable to work more than a few hours a week without backsliding.

Kaye has been diagnosed with PTSD and a dissociative disorder. Two therapists have recommended that Kaye see a specialized therapist for frequent, ongoing therapy in order to recover their functionality. Unfortunately, few therapists are experienced enough to treat patients with both of Kaye’s diagnoses. Despite much searching, Kaye has not been able to find a qualified and available therapist who accepts Medi-Cal insurance. Unfortunately, Kaye cannot afford other insurance.

Kaye’s therapist and neurologist are supporting Kaye’s application for federal disability benefits (SSI). However, the application process could take years, and Kaye will run out of money by the end of this month.

Hope for the Future

Before the pandemic, Kaye sang in the Bayesian choir, practiced contact improv, taught seniors how to use computers, and taught art classes for children. “I miss working,” Kaye says. “I had found jobs that I enjoyed, but I can only work a few hours a week now. I can’t even go into a Safeway or cook food without having an anxiety attack.”

Kaye’s conditions will likely require years of treatment. However, access to specialized care and a supportive environment could transform their ability to care for themselves in as little as a year. “I just want to be functional again,” explains Kaye. “It’s so hard for me to eat, and I keep losing weight. I can’t even think about sleeping without panicking. I have to take sleep aids that leave me groggy the next day.” 

Kaye would love to find a steady job helping people or the planet, and would be excited to volunteer in wildlife rehab again. They want to have all the experiences they missed out on as a young adult - travelling the world, going to dance festivals, and backpacking, to name a few.

What does Kaye need?

Kaye is asking for $17,000 to cover specialized therapy, rent expenses, and physical health treatments for six months.

Specialized therapist: $225 per 90 minute session for 26 weeks = $5850 - GOAL MET

Physical health and nerve pain treatments ($6000):

Neurologist: $235 per appointment

Other doctors: $125 - $235 per appointment

Massage therapist: $150/month

Treatments for nerve pain and ongoing health conditions (compounded medication, 18:1 CBD oil, OTC medication, supplements, etc): $500/month

Mineral IV: $200-500 per infusion

Tests from independent labs: $550

GoFundMe fees estimate: $200

Rent at their house: $800 for a room for 26 weeks = $4800

GoFundMe fees estimate = $350

FAQ

If you would like to learn more about what Kaye is going through and what treatment they have already tried, you can visit this FAQ that they wrote.