Support Chris in Overcoming Financial Hardship & Setback

Story

Hi! My name is Chris! Here goes…. For the positive aspects. First and foremost, I’m a mom! I have an absolutely amazing 22 year old son that is the reason for my every breath and the reason I wake up every morning! I’m not sure how I was so blessed to be his mother, but he is by far the best thing that has ever happened to me! I raised him as a single parent for most of his life. Despite all the struggles with single parenting and wanting to give your child the best life they can have, I was somehow able to raise them with strong morals, independence, integrity, and so much more. As for me, outside of my absolutely amazing son, I’ve dedicated my life to Healthcare, specifically Pharmacy. I started college right after I graduated. I went to School full time and also worked full time as a Pharmacy Technician. I unfortunately had to medically withdraw from school midway through my first semester of my Freshman Year due to unexpected surgery. Upon recovery, and while still working full time as a Pharmacy Technician, I very unexpectedly was graced with pregnancy. Being 20, no longer in college, working but making minimum wage, I chose to do what I thought was best, and that was to focus on my pregnancy and career. There are many ways the Healthcare is viewed, but some of the most genuine people work in the field. I learned early on in my Pharmacy Career, that being a Pharmacy Technician would not be a large paying field. Why you ask, because Pharmacy Technicians aren’t required to attend schooling. Yet, knowing a Career in this field could result in financial struggles, I chose to dedicate my life and create my Career as a Pharmacy Technician and all so I could help people! Helping people was all I desired to do, and with no longer having the means to go back to school, choosing to be a Pharmacy Tech was the best way I could think of being able to help patients and care for my family. I knew early on that the only way for me to define my path, get to the highest level I could, and provide the most help I possibly could was to incorporate diversity. It’s crazy to think all the way back to how I started, to where I’m at now. 24 years later, I’m Professionally Licensed in 3 States, have my National Licenses, and I’m Certified to give Vaccines, as well as CPR. Now, I’m blessed to be in my dream position to provide the maximum assistance to patients However, despite my success, and all of the Professional Licenses’ & Certifications, the Salary Levels have not caught up to the Specialized Certified Pharmacy Technician job descriptions. Now, for the extreme vulnerability. Outside of normal day to day struggles, they really evolved during Covid, like it did for so many others. During Covid, I worked on a very large Hospital Campus. I was working on the outpatient side, but because I was in an “administrative role” because of the specialized duties I do, in addition to staffing, I cross-trained with the Inpatient side so I could help more. Well, due to the severity of the pandemic, I’d work my normal Outpatient Pharmacy Shift, and then went right upstairs and work another full shift with Inpatient. I was working roughly 100+ hours a week. Because everything was on lockdown, and I was either working or sleeping, I got in the bad habit of ordering out, and treating myself to gifts because I had the extra money and wanted to reward myself for the first time in my life. I also paid off all of my debt. In 12/2020, I went on leave for a planned, but major wrist surgery. Upon my return back to work, I accepted a promotion to my now current and dream position. However, I went from working insane hours, to 40 hours a week, with no overtime, and then a child still in school -which also was an athlete, and all of the inflation, everything was very difficult. Then, the apartment complex we lived in became increasingly less safe. One of my neighbors was aggressively harassing me for reporting concerns to the Police and Apartment Complex because of the significant domestic relationship she was in. So sad that someone would get aggressively and consistently be harassed because I was trying to report to the proper parties so she would be safe. Because of the harassment, I no longer felt safe in our apartment for us, so I went in tremendous debt to break my lease, and move into a rental house. I knew it would be an adjustment and extra costs would be incurred, but I significantly under anticipated the amount to get basic needs, for things that weren’t needed when you had an apartment. I had my budget set for the transition, and my spending was under control. However, I quickly went into further debt purchasing cost effective needed items. But that unfortunately triggered the bad spending habits, despite being cautious of how much I spent, it added up quickly, and very quickly transitioned into a spending addiction. I just wasn’t able to come to terms with the compulsion and addiction. I did have a part time pharmacy job, which helped, but the hours were restricted, so the extra help was limited. I finally realized the level of debt I had, and it completely devastated me! So I signed up for Debt Consilidation, which has helped some. But I unexpectedly lost my part time job in February due to downsizing, and that’s when things really fell apart. No only losing the job generally detrimental, but it was extremely detrimental on my mental health -which I already struggled with. So overnight, I had lost my second job, my mental health was immensely worse, and my spending addiction was unstoppable. I knew I didn’t have the money to spent, but regardless of what I tried to do to control it, the compulsion was sadly unstoppable. Through a current donation, I was able to get my rent caught up for this month.  However, due to financial distress, I’m behind on my car payment. Legal repercussions have been threatened for both my home and car. After months of crippling anxiety, financial struggles, chronic fear of various things happening, and so much more, I finally hit rock bottom. I’m working hard with my psychiatrist to better my mental health, but presently I have to decide between my personal health and daily living expenses. Yes, I completely understand that the “simple resolution” would be to get a second job. However, with extensively working with my Psychiatrist, due to my very poor mental health, she strongly advised against getting a second job, until my mental health can further be addressed, and overall in a better place. I’ve sold things to try and get extra money to make progress, I’ve cut out all unnecessary spending, and I’ve redone my budget to only include required household and car bills. But due to the level of pay I made, despite only having necessary bills, I still won’t make it check to check.  I’ve had so many full blown panic attacks and breakdowns which has also resulted in a severe migraines, I decided enough is enough! I, like most people, am incredibly hard on myself, and tend to set unrealistic expectations for myself. Being an older millennial, we were just raised to not talk about emotions, ask for help, show any signs of weakness, and so much more. I already feel like an absolutely horrible individual for the stress I put on myself because I battle with the compulsion for my spending addiction, but even more for the position I’ve put myself in. Talking about any of this; much less in-depth for friends, family, and strangers to see is also sending me into a severe emotional tailspin. I would never physically harm myself, but with the excessively poor mental health I’ve got right now, and facing the incredibly harsh reality of losing everything in the very near future, I can’t even effectively express with words! And honestly, if makes me wonder if I’m worthy of existing. I know I’m a good person, and with good intentions, despite my poor reflections of addiction I’ve made. I have dedicated my entire adult life to healthcare and helping others. I can generally dig myself out of a hole, but this time I just simply cannot. I’ve finally come to terms with my spending addition, fully come to terms with the detriment it’s caused, and had decided this is end of the addiction! I will no longer allow this evil addiction to take over my life anymore! That being said, I know the compulsion will still be there, and I will have to fight incredibly hard each day to not spend. I know I am not, and will never be perfect, but I’ve been able to admit my addiction and failures. I will be relying on friends and family for support, encouragement, positivity, and hopefully without judgement.  In order to have a hard reset with the current financial distress, I officially have to ask for help. And I ask for help without being judged. I’ve already contacted my Debt Consilidation Company to hold payments for the next few months while I try to financially recover, and get back in a good place. Thankfully they were understandable. As far as my car goes, I received a letter from a local Law Agency obtained by the Credit Union’s Debt Collector, that they’re needing to receive full payment on the remaining amount that was Financed + Interest & Fees. That amount is $15,303.46. They’ve given a respond date of Aug 10, but it also says that they do not have to wait until the listed date to take further legal action. Both the Credit Union and Debt Collector were already closed for the day by the time I got the letter. I will call the beginning of the week in an attempt to assess options, but I’m not sure if they would be willing to work with me. I received another letter from the Law Firm that the Debt Collector obtained. They’re presented it to a Judge, and are requesting a trial date. I and now in complete disarray more I already am. So I’ve listed a donation goal that would allow both my Rent (now paid for) and Car to be addressed. I know times are tough for so many and with so much overall uncertainty. I’m truly a good person that has a good heart, and helps as much as I can, but have fallen into immense distress, and am begging & pleading from the bottom of my heart for help! So if you are inclined and/or that allows you to be in a position to provide any sort of assistance, it truly would be life changing! I really don’t ask for help easily, but I have to set aside my broken pride that I try to have, and pray for a miracle. In closing, I truly appreciate your willingness to even read my testament. For those of you that don’t know me, this is the most honest I’ve been with myself for far too many years, and is very uncommon of me to openly express distress. I am beyond committed to make this restart to happen, and to continue be more responsible going forward. And I will always continue to vow to my patients, that I will always be in their corner, and do everything humanly possible to make sure you can receive, and continue receiving your life sustaining medications(s). Always appreciative, Chris