Incredible human Dasha Shleyeva needs our help!

Dasha had vocal cord surgery on April 21, 2026.

During recovery, she will need to greatly limit the use of her voice, including even basic conversation for the first three months. Singing will take much longer to return and may require up to a year of vocal therapy to heal. During this time, she won’t be able to work as a server or in any role that relies on her voice, and will need our community’s support.

How did we get here?

Dasha has been navigating ongoing long COVID symptoms since early 2021, including fatigue, cognitive impairment, joint and muscle inflammation, insomnia, and sudden energy crashes.

In 2022, a concussion from a biking accident compounded these challenges. For months, she was treated for post-concussion syndrome, where even basic daily tasks could lead to sensory overwhelm, dizziness, nausea, and migraines.

While continuing to work in demanding service environments, Dasha developed vocal cord nodules from hours of projecting her voice in loud settings. Over time, speaking and singing became painful and often impossible, requiring frequent periods of vocal rest resulting in lost income. Without a financial safety net, she fell into debt.

Why now?

Dasha is currently enrolled in a graduate program in art therapy and timed her surgery between practicum and internship. This short window gives her a few weeks for strict vocal rest and aligns with full recovery by next spring (May 2027), when she’ll graduate and start working with clients full time.

Where are we going?

Dasha has spent years showing up for others, and is deeply committed to building a future where she can continue helping people heal through creativity, care, and embodied expression. Let’s help her sing again!

This fundraiser gives Dasha the ability to cover her living expenses, continue her studies, and focus on her health without taking on more debt.

We are starting by raising support for the first three months of recovery, and will adjust the goal as Dasha moves through healing and the next phase of school.

We are profoundly grateful for any support, whether that’s donating, sharing this fundraiser, or reaching out with some encouraging words.

Thank you!