Most of you who come here already know me. I'm Jessa, I'll be 54 this year, and I've had a diagnosis of clinical depression and anxiety for the past ten years. For the past two years, this has been updated to bipolar disorder and panic disorder. Most recently, since January of 2021, I've also been diagnosed with agoraphobia.
Medication has actually helped my depression. It has not helped my anxiety. Medications for anxiety either have no effect or make me so sleepy I can't work anyway. Starting in January of this year, I began to have difficulty keeping up a full-time work schedule. My employer made a great many concessions to try to find a position that wouldn't set off my anxiety.
However, as of April 12, 2021, I have not been able to work. Most days, I'm not able to leave my house. On good days I can manage a trip to the grocery store as long as I don't stay too long. This means I sometimes have to make several visits to get everything I need. With the help of a very dear friend, a wonderful employer, stimulus checks, and using all my sick time, I've been able to stay afloat.
I have short-term disability through work, but I've heard nothing from them since I sent in my forms a month ago. I have also applied for Social Security Disability, but this process can take years. I'm in the process of getting Medicaid and SNAP (what they used to call food stamps) and am waiting on information from my employer to reapply after being denied.
The good news is I called a lawyer to help with SS/Disability. An 'intake specialist' called me back and got some details, then said if they were interested in taking my case, I'd hear from them. If not, they'd send me a letter. Yesterday they called to schedule a time for me to come in! I might have a lawyer to help with my disability claim!
The bad news is just today my phone service was interrupted for non-payment. Because of course it was.
Last month, a lot of people offered help, but I didn't take it. Now, I'm asking for help. $1300 will make rent, pay my phone bill, and pay my credit card minimum so I don't crash the credit rating I've worked so hard to build back up. Any more than that will also pay for rental insurance, next month's rent, psychiatrist appointment, all KINDS of things.
If you can help, I appreciate it. If you can't help, spread the word?
Or just run me over with your car, that'd be ok too.