For the past six months, I have faced a series of medical emergencies that have changed my life. For the first time in my adult life, I was hospitalized three times due to complications from a blood infection and severe lymphedema in my left leg. The infection was made possible by the lymphedema, and after insurance was billed for my stays, I received a bill that is nearly two-thirds of my yearly salary. I just received the bill in the middle of May. After talking with friends and family, I decided to reach out for help through GoFundMe.

I am an adjunct English professor and Honors College instructor at the local state university. As such, I am currently out of work for the summer, patiently awaiting my fall schedule, which may be reduced due to the impact the economy has had on new enrollments. I usually teach required English and Honors courses for incoming freshmen and sophomores, so new enrollment numbers are crucial to my job and take-home pay. I am also my mother’s official live-in caretaker, a role I have held since my father passed away three years ago. She depends on my income, so this situation has been upsetting for her as well. Even the hospital’s suggested monthly bill would take up most of the cost of mom’s mortgage, leaving us with next to nothing to work with, even if I return to full-time hours in the fall.

All help will go directly to paying the medical bills, which will in turn help me pay for what my mother and I need to keep her in her home, fed, and with the lights on, month in and month out. We more than anything need financial help in paying the bills, but would also hope people would share my story to others who also might help. Kind thoughts and prayers are always seriously welcome as well. We believe these immaterial encouragements can make a difference too. For anyone who would like to see proof, I am able to provide the hospital bill upon request.