Help DSP Avoid Eviction due to Medical Bills

For those of you who know me, “Draw Stick People” is my pseudonym on Twitter. It has been so wonderful being a part of many communities over the years. Many of you I consider friends, even if we have never met in person, and some of you I have come to know in real life. I treasure these relationships.

One of those good friends from Twitter is aware of my health crisis and the financial crisis that has resulted. With the mounting medical expenses and now an eviction notice, I can no longer survive on my own. They encouraged me to create a GoFundMe account.

My landlord, who has been trying to work with me, has now decided to terminate my lease unless I can pay my back rent and penalties, along with June’s rent, within days (on or before June 1st). I have spent the past several weeks using every contact I have and calling agencies for emergency rental assistance. Unfortunately, the few funds that are open either don’t apply to my area or require minor children in the home. If I lose my apartment I have no other options and I don’t know what will happen to me. I’ve lived here for years and it is truly my home.

This all started in 2021 after a car accident damaged my dominant hand. Despite 12+ months of treatment and occupational therapy, surgery was required on 4 fingers and my palm. The therapy was continued since it didn't seem to be healing properly. Recently, they determined that the surgery has likely worked, but my hand did not fully heal due to the development of RSD/CRPS. It is evident on xrays of my hand. CRPS is a neurological condition that can develop, most often, in the extremities (especially hands) after injuries and surgery. It can cause many issues, and in my case, has primarily manifested as hyper-reaction to movement resulting in swelling, restriction in my range of motion, and it impedes normal functioning.

The injury of my right hand prevents me from writing, typing with both hands, and most other normal activities of daily living. It has made it very complex to earn a living. I was recently referred to another specialist who has recommended a series of treatments that we expect will return the needed function to my hand. But this treatment is beyond my current financial abilities. Without help, I’ll be able to do little of what is medically recommended to regain normal use of my hand, and thus my life.

On top of what has been going on with my hand, eleven weeks ago I had a bad fall. This resulted in the fracture of multiple bones along with several torn ligaments and tendons in my right foot. I also sprained both ankles. This left me incapable of driving. For the initial 2.5 weeks, I wasn’t allowed to put any weight on my foot or even to rest it on the floor. Using the crutches for several weeks has made my right hand regress significantly.

I’m wearing a CAM boot now (it's in the photo). It protects my foot while it heals and allows me to put weight on it. Though I’m slow, and my foot is still swollen and painful, I am now crutch-free. While surgery has not been completely ruled out, I should now be starting physical therapy — if I can afford the co-pays and transportation.

Soon, I should be able to wean from the boot and use a special shoe and ankle brace. Until I’m able to wear regular shoes, I won’t be permitted to drive. This means I have to continue to pay for transportation for medical appointments, and to get food and other necessities.

Like many people, the pandemic stopped the type of in-person work I did, due to limitations of contact. The work I was able to do was severely limited by my injury because it required fast typing. The ensuing medical bills over the past few years have depleted my savings. I need these treatments and therapies to rehabilitate and get back to normal life so I can catch up financially and live independently again.

My financial needs:

$6500: Rent/utilities/health & car insurance and penalties to be able to avoid eviction and keep my home (This is the most important and the most pressing)

$10,000: Hospital

$1,000: Orthopedic surgeon

$5000: Co-Pays for Physical and Occupational Therapy

$400: Transportation to medical appointments for the next 2 months (2 hand therapy and 2 foot/ankle physical therapy appointments per week and 2-3 physician appt/month)

I am humbled to say the least. I am also terrified. I have never asked for financial help in my life. As the situation has become dire, I am finally taking the advice of my wise and caring Twitter friend (which I should have done immediately after I broke my foot) as I have run out of money and options. The thought of this, being so vulnerable when I’m usually very private about finances and the severity of my medical status, asking for help when so many people are in equal and even worse situations, is difficult for me in a way that I cannot adequately describe. I imagine it would be for most people.

Because these are challenging times for so many right now, it makes it even harder for me to ask. But I am here now. Please know that anything you can do will make a difference for me to come through this with hope for a future without pain, with full use of my hand and foot, without the overwhelming medical expenses, and most immediately and importantly, not losing what has been home for many years.

If there is anything you can do to help, please know that I'm grateful. Within our Twitter community, if you would be willing to share my page, I would be honored.

I am grateful to every one of you.

Warmly,

DSP/Draw Stick People