Long Covid, Lost Time, and Languishing in Limbo

Hello!

My name is Katie Bayler, and I have recently been diagnosed with long COVID. For the last nine years I have had my childhood dream job as a municipal bus operator, now that dream may be coming to an end.

Since I last had COVID in February, I have been missing on average, 4 days of work for each biweekly pay period. Now I have finally been able to start on my employer's short-term disability plan while I await intake appointments and test results, however that plan begins with 8 unpaid work days, which means a full pay period out the window because of the six weeks of sick time I've taken since February burning through all of my PTO, and leaving me with paychecks that have averaged 60% of my normal pay.

The reason I'm starting this is our property taxes are due very soon, and if they don't get paid the city will seize our house.

On top of my own illness, we recently had to put our oldest dog to sleep, after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

What I'm asking for is a fraction of the money I've lost this year to illness, be it through lost pay or medical bills. it pains me to even ask for help, but we really need it.

thank you,

Katie