As a part of their spiritual practice to cultivate humility and create a feeling of interdependence, Cambodian monks walk around to local businesses and ask for alms(food offerings) everyday. I watch them from the coffee shop that I go to in the morning. This practice is called pindapata and it is a beautiful thing to watch. It got me thinking about my own ability to ask for, well, really anything. It's literally the last thing I ever want to do. I've always thought that over my dead body would I ever ask anyone for financial help. But when you come to the moment in your life when you are looking at death, it suddenly seems silly that you wouldn't reach out. And perhaps it's meant to be a part of my experience for my spiritual growth? Perhaps the last thing I want to do is the one thing I must do. So I am here to ask for some help.

This is my story: 4 years ago, I was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's. My journey since then has, not surprisingly, been challenging to say the least. It has culminated in me needing to leave my full-time job because my body couldn't take it anymore. I was not in a financial place (I had recently finished grad school and started a new career just prior to my diagnosis) to be able to live in the States and support myself without working. So I created a plan to move to Southeast Asia in search of a lower cost of living where I could work less while still supporting myself. I am now in Cambodia. What I did not plan on was a decline in my health and an increase in my Parkinson's symptoms that would make it difficult to work at all. Of course, I knew this was a possibility- moving abroad is stressful and I didn't know how my body would do with it. But I had to take the chance because I had few other options. I know a lot of you will say I should go back to the US and apply for disability benefits- but it takes an average of 2 years to get approved and there is no assistance for the in- between time.

So I need to come up with a new plan, but I don't know what that is yet. In the meantime, I need some help.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for any support you’re able to give. Whether it’s a donation or simply sharing this page, it truly means more than I can put into words. I am humbled and incredibly grateful for every bit of love and support.