Luca's Health & Top Surgery Fund!
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Hi all - thanks for visiting my GoFundMe!
I am a 20-something disabled non-binary trans person, currently working in a temp-to-perm position at an anti-racist non-profit. After three years in theological school, I decided to step back for my mental health's sake due to severe Islamophobia and anti-LGBTQ discrimination and microaggressions I incurred during my studies.
I suffer from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hypermobile and classical) and have had two associated surgeries due to tearing my ACL and needing a secondary preventative surgery on the same knee. EDS is unfortunately degenerative, and my body has deteriorated in the last decade that I have been diagnosed. I may likely become a full-time wheelchair user before I am 35 due to the current state of my ankles, knees, hips, and back.
I also have PTSD due to an extensive history of abuse and sexual assault, along with BPD (and associated dissociation issues), severe depression, IBS, and asthma. On their own, these various health concerns are difficult; combined, they make daily life challenging.
As you may be aware, I was hospitalized at Brattleboro Retreat Center in late April 2018 due to severe mental illness. I spent six days in Vermont, in which I endured some of the most awful healthcare experiences of my life. Prior to going to Brattleboro, my abusive father had agreed to pay for the stay. Since then, for my own safety and well-being, I have completely cut off contact with him, and he has returned the bill to Brattleboro. I am now left with a $3,500+ bill on top of previous health bills for a total of ~$1,500.
In June, I found out that I also need dental work as soon as possible that I have been unable to afford, amounting to ~$1,000.
I am currently insured through MassHealth, which I will likely lose before 2018 with the hopeful buy-out of my temp assignment's contract. While this will mean a boost in overall pay, my employer does not provide health insurance, and I will be in need of finding an alternative plan to cover my health expenses.
As I am staring down the ~$120,000 in student debt I have accumulated over the past seven years, I am looking to both settle previous medical debts and prepare for top surgery, which I am hoping to have in 2019. Top surgery will not only mean reaffirming my gender, a necessary step for me as a trans person, but also aid in relieving some of my EDS struggles, primarily on my back and shoulders.
The breakdown of the $10,000 I am looking to raise is as follows:
- Brattleboro Retreat bill: $3,500
- Top Surgery (and associated costs): $4,000
- Dental Work (multiple cavities and a deep cleaning for a tooth with a bone defect): $1,000
- Previous Medical Bills: $1,500
I am hoping to create a Patreon before the end of 2018 to get back to writing, creating, and speaking in order to be supported in a more consistent manner so I can get my life back.
Anything helps, whether it be donating to tweeting this link to your followers. I really hope that this campaign will aid me in regaining some autonomy as 2018 has been one of the greatest struggles that I've endured.
xoxo Luca
I am a 20-something disabled non-binary trans person, currently working in a temp-to-perm position at an anti-racist non-profit. After three years in theological school, I decided to step back for my mental health's sake due to severe Islamophobia and anti-LGBTQ discrimination and microaggressions I incurred during my studies.
I suffer from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hypermobile and classical) and have had two associated surgeries due to tearing my ACL and needing a secondary preventative surgery on the same knee. EDS is unfortunately degenerative, and my body has deteriorated in the last decade that I have been diagnosed. I may likely become a full-time wheelchair user before I am 35 due to the current state of my ankles, knees, hips, and back.
I also have PTSD due to an extensive history of abuse and sexual assault, along with BPD (and associated dissociation issues), severe depression, IBS, and asthma. On their own, these various health concerns are difficult; combined, they make daily life challenging.
As you may be aware, I was hospitalized at Brattleboro Retreat Center in late April 2018 due to severe mental illness. I spent six days in Vermont, in which I endured some of the most awful healthcare experiences of my life. Prior to going to Brattleboro, my abusive father had agreed to pay for the stay. Since then, for my own safety and well-being, I have completely cut off contact with him, and he has returned the bill to Brattleboro. I am now left with a $3,500+ bill on top of previous health bills for a total of ~$1,500.
In June, I found out that I also need dental work as soon as possible that I have been unable to afford, amounting to ~$1,000.
I am currently insured through MassHealth, which I will likely lose before 2018 with the hopeful buy-out of my temp assignment's contract. While this will mean a boost in overall pay, my employer does not provide health insurance, and I will be in need of finding an alternative plan to cover my health expenses.
As I am staring down the ~$120,000 in student debt I have accumulated over the past seven years, I am looking to both settle previous medical debts and prepare for top surgery, which I am hoping to have in 2019. Top surgery will not only mean reaffirming my gender, a necessary step for me as a trans person, but also aid in relieving some of my EDS struggles, primarily on my back and shoulders.
The breakdown of the $10,000 I am looking to raise is as follows:
- Brattleboro Retreat bill: $3,500
- Top Surgery (and associated costs): $4,000
- Dental Work (multiple cavities and a deep cleaning for a tooth with a bone defect): $1,000
- Previous Medical Bills: $1,500
I am hoping to create a Patreon before the end of 2018 to get back to writing, creating, and speaking in order to be supported in a more consistent manner so I can get my life back.
Anything helps, whether it be donating to tweeting this link to your followers. I really hope that this campaign will aid me in regaining some autonomy as 2018 has been one of the greatest struggles that I've endured.
xoxo Luca
Organizer
Luca Alexander
Organizer
Malden, MA
