Support Jalynn’s 6-Month Knee Surgery Recovery

Hi everyone,

Nine months ago I slipped on ice—and it completely changed the trajectory of my life for the rest of the year. (Honestly, who knew something so simple could cause this much chaos?)

Since that day, I’ve been living with severe knee damage that has only gotten worse. Every step is exhausting. Between the constant swelling, the grinding and clicking when my knee shifts back into place, and the sharp pain of it trying to pop out of socket, I can barely move without feeling like my body is betraying me. Even working requires a mobility aid just to get through the day. I’m tired. I’m in pain every single day. And it’s wearing me down.

The truth is, my independence is already slipping away. I’ve had to sell my car just to survive. I’ve exhausted every option I could think of—my job doesn’t offer disability pay, I don’t qualify through the state, and every resource I’ve chased has been a dead end. I even took a full month off work to try physical therapy alone, but now that I’m back, my knee feels worse than ever. On top of that, I’ll be without income for at least six months while I recover, because my body heals more slowly than most with my Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and the high risk of re-injury. I’ve stretched myself as far as I can go, but now I’m at the edge—physically, financially, and mentally.

This surgery is my chance at something better. It means walking without constant pain, without the fear of my knee dislocating again, and without relying on a walker every time I have to stand for long periods. But to get there, I need the right equipment to recover safely and keep some dignity and independence through the process.

Here’s what I need to make recovery possible and safe:

To move around without help:

• Wheelchair

• Floor scooter

To shower/to hoist myself up by myself:

• Shower chair

• Handle bar for the shower/one next to the toilet (x2)

• Bath mat

• Removable shower head

For comfort and healing:

• Crutch pillows

• Leg cast protector

• Bandages

• Extra pair of sheets

• Mini fridge for my room

What I need might sound small to some, but to me, it’s everything. It means being able to get out of bed without falling. To shower without fear. To cook a meal without risking another dislocation. To hold onto just a little bit of autonomy in a time when my body keeps taking so much from me already.

I’ll be honest: I’m scared. Scared of how much harder life could get if I can’t access what I need. Scared of losing the little bit of independence I still have. But I’m also hopeful—hopeful that if I can find the support to get through this, I’ll finally be able to heal, regain my independence, and not have to live like this for the rest of my life.

If you can donate, no matter how small, it will directly help me get the equipment I need to move safely, recover, and hold onto my autonomy. If you can’t donate, sharing this page means the world.

Thank you for reading my story, for caring enough to be here, and for reminding me that I don’t have to face this alone.