These days, it may seem like we all need a GoFundMe just to go to the grocery store. But what if you couldn’t physically get to the grocery store? Or if the simple act of preparing a meal left you debilitated for days to a week?

That scenario is reality for Jenni Bearden, who has endured an incredibly challenging medical journey over the past 24 years.

She developed Lyme disease as a baby, and went into late-stage Lyme and developed severe myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) in her late 20s, leaving her completely disabled by age 30.

Now 54 years old, Jenni is mostly bedridden, only able to leave her home a few times a year. She struggles with a severe circadian rhythm disruption, fibromyalgia, and other debilitating co-morbidities. These conditions are often labeled “invisible disabilities,” because the person may look or seem “normal,” but in fact they are deeply struggling. The slightest amount of exertion can set them back for weeks, because their cells don’t create energy the way most of us do.

Jenni is an avid animal lover, and donated her time and energy for as long as she was able, running a rescue in her area. She no longer has the ability to even have a pet of her own or spend time with animals and hasn’t even had contact with one in several years.

Despite her creative efforts to cover her expenses by working part-time from home for as long as she could, Jenni’s financial situation has become dire. Food, medications, prescribed supplements, and other necessities have to be charged as there isn’t enough cash flow. She has accumulated nearly $50,000 in credit card debt, as she battles skyrocketing rent increases and the inability to work at all anymore. Applying for loans or assistance programs has been fruitless, as her overwhelming debt makes her ineligible.

Jenni lives in South Carolina, where the public safety net is thin. Outreach to Congressional representatives has been fruitless.

Jenni's greatest need is to pay down her credit card debt to regain financial stability and avoid potential homelessness - an unthinkable prospect given her severe limitations; she can’t even leave her home without assistance and wouldn’t be likely to survive a single day as a homeless person.

With compassion and understanding, we have the opportunity to ease Jenni's burden and provide the support she desperately needs to focus on her health and well-being. By contributing to her GoFundMe campaign, we can help restore her financial footing and open the door to a more hopeful future.

Can you help? Every bit makes life a little easier for Jenni.