Let’s Give Dory a Break

Since contracting Covid in February of 2022, Dory’s symptoms of Long Covid have become a real and consistent challenge to his livelihood and well-being.

While many of you know about his symptoms, Dory often holds back the extent of how bad they still are most days. He knows there are other problems in his community that are more pressing, and also doesn't want to feel like he is a burden to others in expressing his suffering.

Healing has been a much longer road for Dory than anyone could have expected.

Although he tries to maintain his joyful demeanor, his symptoms truly are incapacitating. An awful, gripping headache has been a daily constant; he describes it as a vice grip around his temples, that is always present. Over the counter painkillers help soften it slightly, but it has been present everyday, with varying levels of intensity. His providers identify it as a deep sinus infection that they simply do not know how to treat. Brain fog, short term memory loss, loss of taste, body aches, and intense exhaustion and fatigue are all a part of his daily life. He cannot make it through a day without resting for several hours before and after any activities. In regards to any relief, Dory plainly describes having, at best, “good-bad days”, and, bleakly, and more often “bad-bad days".

Ultimately, and disappointingly, the medical world doesn't exactly know how to best treat Long Covid.

Over the last 19 months, Dory has tried every affordable treatment prescribed. He has seen numerous providers that are actively coordinating his care. He is currently waiting 4 months to see a neurologist, and unfortunately, he cannot access a current study on Long Covid at Dartmouth Medical. His doctors openly admit they are not sure of what will significantly help, and they are merely "trying things and seeing what sticks". However, they are in agreement that rest and time to recover are the best means to deal with the intense fatigue.

Making enough income to make ends meet is an extremely difficult everyday challenge with his symptoms.

As many of you know, to supplement his work teaching and performing theater, Dory’s massage and bodywork practice is his main supplemental income. He fully loves the gift of massage, and deeply enjoys his practice, however the nature of the work is simply physically exhausting for him right now. He is only able to offer 1-2 sessions a day, at most, and must rest for hours before and after sessions. If he's having a "bad-bad, day", he has to reschedule altogether.

And, as you can imagine, having the energy to care for his other basic needs has proven challenging as well. When you're sick and can't taste things, cooking for yourself is just an uphill battle.

We don’t have to express how much Dory means to the communities he is a part of.

It seems like anywhere you mention his name, someone says “Oh, Dory? I love Dory!” His involvement in local theater and arts projects such as: the New England Youth Theater, Vermont Suitcase Company, and Get Thee to the Funnery (and more) to volunteering his time hosting curling tournaments smack in the bitter heart of winter, his involvement in multiple communities across Vermont is only matched by the enthusiasm, warmth and generosity with which he delights those around him.

After all Dory has given to us, we want to offer him a break.

Ideally, this support would look like a financial cushion for several months, allowing him take a break from his massage practice, to not juggle multiple work committments, and to get the rest he desperately needs. In addition, he can put any funds he sees fit towards trying the (expensive) alternative treatments that have been recommended, and may prove helpful in the long term.

It’s hard to express how much Dory means to us. His reluctance to take this step before now speaks volumes, recognizing the many other people and causes calling for financial support in this moment of crisis. But sometimes the most important things to show up for in life are the people right in front of us. If we can help ease his financial strain while he goes through this, we would love to do that for him.

Any amount, no matter how small, is received with the utmost gratitude.

Let’s give Dory the rest he deserves.

In Love and Community -

Emily Velush, Sandy Klein, and Monika Grist-Weiner