CONNIE STEEL ASKING FOR HELP - WORK MEDICAL LEAVE

I am still undergoing medical treatment at UT Health Austin’s Post-COVID-19 Program and will be off work for at least one more month. Although the time off has been unpaid, I am very fortunate to have an employer who has allowed time for me to heal. The goal has always been to get better and go back to my full-time job.

I’m just asking for help to get me to that point. January’s car note has not been paid and I only have a portion of February rent. I appreciate everyone’s concern, donations and best wishes! It all helps, probably more than you know. Thank you!!

With Gratitude, Connie

—————————————————————-As I lay here, unable to sleep, I feel like an update, and an explanation might be beneficial. These are my words. I can only speak for myself, and I can only speak from my experience and tell my truth as I have lived it. I first got COVID-19 in June 2020. I was originally off work for four months as a result before I returned to work just four hours a day and began slowly to build that up to six hours and try to do eight hours a day. Eight hours days were rare. I’ve had prolonged symptoms from the initial COVID-19 illness of shortness of breath, profound fatigue, lightheadedness and loss of balance, loss of short-term and long-term memory and overall weakness just to name a few. For the past 3.5+ years, I’ve dealt with these ongoing symptoms having changed the quality of life as I knew it. I have missed the things I used to be able to go and do and people I could see. But that’s not been my life since having COVID-19.

The second time I got COVID-19 was in September 2022. I missed 11 days of work. Because I hadn’t been physically able to work full-time, I had been using paid sick leave faster than I could accrue it. So the 11 days off work were unpaid, which left me unable to pay October and November 2022 rent. This resulted in an eviction and moving the day before Thanksgiving of 2022. I put all of my belongings in storage and went into temporary living situations, renting a bedroom.

As I continued to try to force my body into working 40 hours a week, my ability to function became less and less, eventually leading to a complete medical leave from work starting September 1, 2023. That medical leave from work has since been extended to a total of six months off as I undergo treatment at the University of Texas Post COVID-19 program.

This has been physically disabling and financially devastating. I’ve not worked full-time since June 2020 and I’ve only earned part of my salary due to unpaid time for not working 40 hours. As I have pursued short-term disability benefits since 9/1/2023, the financial crisis has grown exponentially. On 12/5/2023, I received an initial short-term disability benefit payment for two weeks of September 2023. Then the short-term disability claim was denied for October, November and December 2023. Further detail indicates the denial was based on a subjective case note rather than official medical disability documentation and diagnoses. Yes, there are multiple diagnosis. I am hiring an attorney and appealing the denial.

My family has helped as much as possible financially and as mentioned, in the original gofundme description, I find myself desperately in need of financial assistance. I know the request for money is not a popular one, that it’s often seen as distasteful, often overlooked. The Texas “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” hasn’t been successful for many COVID-19 longhaulers, and there is no safety net. I have minimized expenses as much as possible but still have basic expenses that must be met. January rent is only partially paid and car expenses and insurance are coming due. Part of the medical expenses are coming out of pocket. Today, testing positive for COVID-19 for the 3rd time only exasperates the crisis.

I feel like I stand naked and without dignity, although I realize that is pride talking. I wish I wasn’t in the position to have to ask for money. I resisted it for a long time and almost paid dire consequences because of not asking for help earlier. I feel like the story that I have to tell can only be an example of a complete leveling of pride, a complete surrender and a complete vulnerability. I stand before you and I ask for your help.

Thanks for reading this very long explanation.

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I am four months into a six-month unpaid medical leave from work while I am undergoing treatment at the University of Texas Austin Health’s Post-COVID-19 program. Initial short-term disability benefits were paid for September, but New York Life withheld October, November and December payment of $7,073.00 pending “objective evidence” of a “disability” rather than an “illness”. The Brain MRI that is scheduled for 1/8/2024 is anticipated to show the results that New York Life requires to reinstate short-term and long-term disability benefits. (No jokes please. I’ve been sick af for a long time.)

In the interim, I find myself in desperate need of financial help. Anything at all would help a great deal. Any prayers, good juju or other positive energy that you can send my way would also be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!!