Ryan Elder's Long-COVID Relief Fund

Hi my name is Ryan Elder,

I have been struggling with Post COVID Syndrome, better known as Long-COVID, since April of 2022. As a result of this condition I live with chronic pain, chronic fatigue, intermittent brain fog, depression, and post-exertional malaise, among a host of other symptoms. As you may imagine, this has led to a steep decline in my overall wellbeing.

Before developing Long-COVID, I was active, energetic, adventurous, and enjoyed many aspects of life such as cooking, camping, hiking, dancing, and socializing. My capacity for these activities has dwindled to almost nothing save for preparing the simplest of meals and seeing a friend or two for a few hours a week. I now spend the majority of my time in bed resting, unable to take part in the things I once loved to do.

Aside from my diagnosis, I am also an artist. My mediums have ranged from illustration to bookbinding and fiber art. I still enjoy creating art when I manage enough energy to put pencil to paper, though this is rare. For over a decade, I also worked in the Food and Beverage industry serving tables, scrubbing dishes, manning the fast food window, brewing and roasting coffee, and eventually educating and training new baristas.

The past 12 months have been especially troubling. About a year ago, I became too crippled to work and have struggled to scrape by. My current housing arrangement is also, unfortunately, coming to an end. I must be out of my current residence by the end of September. Resulting from this unstable housing situation, I was left no choice but to let go of my companion animals, my two beautiful cats Bingo and Lazer. Right now, I reside in Philadelphia, PA, but will be moving to Arkansas to be nearer my aging parents.

My goal is to apply for Social Security Disability benefits. This is a difficult and lengthy process, made harder by the facts that I am only 28 years old and Long-COVID is still a new and poorly understood condition, least of all understood by the Social Security Administration. My hope is that should I be granted these benefits, it will allow me to focus on my health and safety and eventually get to a place in my life where I am no longer scraping to survive, but am able to live a fulfilling life in spite of my chronic illness.

However, until that happens—if it happens—I am left to find what little resources are available to me on my own.

And so I ask, humbly, if you are able to donate anything at all to helping me keep my chin above water and continue my survival until such a day I am equipped to support myself, I urge you to do so.

The money you donate today will help to cover moving expenses, and help me to pay for necessities such as mobility aids, hygiene products, and other incidentals. As well, the money will go to my emergency fund, should I find myself in dire need.

I am grateful to you for taking the time to read my story and for any generosity you share.

Thank you,

Ryan