About 1 month ago, I was critically injured. I am still recovering. I have some memories of that day but don't recall the 2 weeks following it that I spent hospitalized in the ICU. I am still in treatment and not 100% better yet. I am doing the best I can, but cannot afford my treatment. The injury was an accident and not anyone's fault.

On the day of my injury, it was a typically nice day and I went with my partner to a public park in downtown Denver for a free outdoor concert in the afternoon. We took an Uber and I recall walking through the park, getting a bite to eat at a local restaurant, and returning to the park to await the band starting. We met up with my partner's friend. I remember standing on a bridge, chatting, admiring the views. And then nothing. Then I woke up in the hospital, not knowing where I was or why or what day it was or what was happening.

According to my partner, I had collapsed that day out in the park. I have a chronic illness that leads to a reduced heart rate and low blood pressure, which often causes dizziness and fainting. That day was warm and sunny, and the hot weather tends to make my blood pressure worse. I fainted, my body collapsed to the ground, and my head hit the cement sidewalk. I fractured my skull, was bleeding out, sprained my neck, and caused a traumatic brain injury. I was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, immediately admitted to the ICU. They ran tests and CAT scans and observed the bleeding inside my brain. They stapled my skull closed, put a neck brace on me, and hooked me up to an IV. I spent nearly two weeks in that hospital. Eventually, I was conscious and could wake up and talk but had no idea where I was or even who my partner was or what was going on. The doctors and nurses would explain everything, but then I'd fall asleep again and wake up and not remember again. It was like 50 First Dates, I guess. The day before I was discharged, I finally recalled who I was and where I was and was able to process and retain one day to the next. They sent me to a rehab hospital where I spent another week. I was in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy daily. I was on 9 different medications. I practiced learning how to walk and talk and read again. I could feed myself and eventually learned how to bathe myself and continued to recover. They removed the staples from my skull. I was discharged back home.

I am still in treatment and attend outpatient PT, OT, and Speech multiple times per week. I am still taking multiple medications. I still have difficulty walking and often get lightheaded and dizzy going from sitting to standing or just trying to move around the apartment. I get severe head pain and exhaustion. I use ice packs to dull the pain and get lots of rest. I can't do any basic tasks, I can't cook or clean, I don't do chores, I can't do self-care, I can't drive my car, and I can't go to work. Before this injury, I worked full-time and was paid every two weeks. I have been excused from work but am not being paid for my time away. I have filed paperwork for FMLA/FAMLI leave and short-term disability but have not received any payments yet. My savings are running out. I have already been charged nearly $3,000 by the hospital and will still be billed by rehab and outpatient, as well as seeing a primary care doctor, a neurologist, and other specialists, and paying for ongoing medications. I cannot afford to cover it. I cannot afford to cover my rent for September or pay any of my other bills. I was completely unprepared for this financially, as well as physically and emotionally still trying to recover from this accidental near-death experience.

I have had multiple friends and family members reach out and send texts, calls, and cards, and I am incredibly grateful. If anyone out there in the universe can offer more support, I will be very thankful.