Raising Hope: A Fundraiser For Ama Rose

Hello, my name is Ama.

As of right now, I’m in a lot of pain. Every day I wake up in pain, nauseous, and dizzy - the severity increases with any exertion. Im unable to stand, walk any distance, or use my arms or neck extensively without an increase in each symptom.

I currently have a caregiver who helps me out with cooking,cleaning, washing my hair, and getting around to my appointments. I fall often, and this has all become very scary

When the pandemic first began, I lost my career. Since 2012 I worked in the experiential marketing field as a Tour manager, event lead, product specialist and brand ambassador. I also worked as a choreographer, day care teacher, cashier, emcee, and more. Despite this loss, I fought for unemployment and worked small jobs that paid small amounts just to have a little bit of cash such as, rearranging the chips in grocery stores when I was living in Brooklyn.

I moved cross country to California for a job offer that fell through the moment I signed my lease, and attempted to succeed as a BIGO host among other things. Eventually I quit hosting as the long hours in front of the camera was triggering my migraines. In the midst of this I found myself not recovering from the Covid that I got right as the pandemic began.

I began going to doctors, in May of 2022 when I was finally able to get health insurance. I was already much worse. My doctors sent me for testing, imaging, physical therapy, acupuncture and tried a bunch of different medications, yet despite this I watched as my health rapidly declined. I became weaker and in the span of a few months went from only using a knee brace to a cane, to a walker and now a wheelchair. My doctors approved me for a power chair when it became obvious that I was unable to push a manual wheelchair.

in September 2022 I applied for Social security disability insurance as well as State disability insurance, at the urgency of my doctors, physical therapist, and social worker. At that time I had been fighting as hard as I could to do *some* kind of work, and had started boarding peoples pets.

I’d been urged to apply earlier, but I believed that I was going to get better. That I “just needed to try a little harder” That I needed to pivot. It was when I found myself unable to work at all anymore, and had pushed myself into an excruciating level of pain and malaise and I could not push through any longer, that I applied .. I am still waiting on the ruling.

In December of 2022 I caught Covid again , this time from my buildings maintenance workers..and my health decline, got even faster.

In the midst of this long Covid, my doctors have also discovered that I have a connective tissue disorder, and they are now sending me to a teaching hospital that has more resources to help me :)

I’ve communicated with my landlord throughout this ordeal, and followed all the Covid protection guidelines for people who are low income and effected by Covid.

As of August 2023, I’m currently searching for accessible housing, as my last place was not conducive to my health.

❤️ thank you for everything!

Ama