imtired.com
Donation protected
(this is a continuation of my previous youcaring fundraiser, due to the merge between the two)
Hello, my name is Kimberly and in April of 2017 I was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and ever since then I've been fighting with the US Social Security Administration for disability benefits while having to work to sustain myself even as my pain levels increase and something else hits me, all the time.
Before all of this happened I was working full-time, even overtime, sometimes 10 or 11 days in a row. After the onset of the symptoms that eventually led to my diagnosis I had to scale my hours back because it was just exacerbating things, and as of now I work at a maximum of 25 hours per week, no more than six hours a day. I had to switch jobs shortly after my diagnosis because the actual environment I was working in, combined with the stress of working that much, most likely was the catalyst for the lupus to finally show itself. Even though my current job is very much relevant to my interests and they make accommodations for my disability it's progressively getting harder and harder to perform my expected duties, BUT I do not want to job hop again, as I already have a bit of a history doing that (and you know bipolar people can't keep jobs...). My job also keeps an automated tally of absences and I have to basically file an attendance accommodation request twice since I'm part-time, so I just keep going in even when my pain is too great because I don't want another absence to my name. I am planning on taking an unpaid week of rest at the end of August, but who knows if that could end up extending much longer than that.
I an currently at the first court stage of the SSDI appeal process, though I do not have a court date yet; I was told that could potentially be over a year off. Even though I have handed in countless documents to the SSA stating I have full-on SLE they seem to be treating it as I have yet to be properly diagnosed, so I'm just going to hand in more until something happens. I've had bilateral carpal tunnel since February, and in early July I was informed that I also have fibromyalgia, likely from a combination of the lupus itself, joint hypermobility, and several auto accidents and a malfunctioning elevator incident. This makes it hard for me to stand or walk for more than 15 minutes at a time, and it's not even walking anymore, more like hobbling. The aforementioned hypermobility has also given me a right knee that is prone to dislocation and I'm worried about doing something to make it come out again. I also suffer from Raynaud's phenomenon, and that combined with the carpal tunnel has left my hands especially sensitive to cold environments. I've been advised to stop working altogether but I'm afraid of doing that, getting denied and then falling into the unemployment hole once again, so here we are.
I currently am on six prescriptions: Plaquenil, Prednisone, Mobic, Imuran, Prozac, and Ventolin, with plans to start me on Cymbalta soon. I also take multiple vitamin supplements, including iron and vitamin D because the lupus saps those like a monster. My commute to work is 40 minutes each way, so that eats up gas. I have several monthly bills to take care of (cell phone, internet, and three credit cards). I'm also making monthly payments on imaging, lab work, and doctor's visit bills, or at least I'm trying to. I stay with family so rent isn't an issue at the moment, though I would like to get out of their hair for real. I have to wear wrist braces every waking moment, and I also wear a knee brace because of the aforementioned dislocation. I wear wigs due to hair loss and would really like to get a new one, one of a much better quality that will last longer than the ones I've had before.
tl;dr I'm falling apart and need help; any and all help is greatly appreciated! $1000 is a tentative goal for now since I'm still working, but any extra will help immensely
thank you and peace n blessins
Hello, my name is Kimberly and in April of 2017 I was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and ever since then I've been fighting with the US Social Security Administration for disability benefits while having to work to sustain myself even as my pain levels increase and something else hits me, all the time.
Before all of this happened I was working full-time, even overtime, sometimes 10 or 11 days in a row. After the onset of the symptoms that eventually led to my diagnosis I had to scale my hours back because it was just exacerbating things, and as of now I work at a maximum of 25 hours per week, no more than six hours a day. I had to switch jobs shortly after my diagnosis because the actual environment I was working in, combined with the stress of working that much, most likely was the catalyst for the lupus to finally show itself. Even though my current job is very much relevant to my interests and they make accommodations for my disability it's progressively getting harder and harder to perform my expected duties, BUT I do not want to job hop again, as I already have a bit of a history doing that (and you know bipolar people can't keep jobs...). My job also keeps an automated tally of absences and I have to basically file an attendance accommodation request twice since I'm part-time, so I just keep going in even when my pain is too great because I don't want another absence to my name. I am planning on taking an unpaid week of rest at the end of August, but who knows if that could end up extending much longer than that.
I an currently at the first court stage of the SSDI appeal process, though I do not have a court date yet; I was told that could potentially be over a year off. Even though I have handed in countless documents to the SSA stating I have full-on SLE they seem to be treating it as I have yet to be properly diagnosed, so I'm just going to hand in more until something happens. I've had bilateral carpal tunnel since February, and in early July I was informed that I also have fibromyalgia, likely from a combination of the lupus itself, joint hypermobility, and several auto accidents and a malfunctioning elevator incident. This makes it hard for me to stand or walk for more than 15 minutes at a time, and it's not even walking anymore, more like hobbling. The aforementioned hypermobility has also given me a right knee that is prone to dislocation and I'm worried about doing something to make it come out again. I also suffer from Raynaud's phenomenon, and that combined with the carpal tunnel has left my hands especially sensitive to cold environments. I've been advised to stop working altogether but I'm afraid of doing that, getting denied and then falling into the unemployment hole once again, so here we are.
I currently am on six prescriptions: Plaquenil, Prednisone, Mobic, Imuran, Prozac, and Ventolin, with plans to start me on Cymbalta soon. I also take multiple vitamin supplements, including iron and vitamin D because the lupus saps those like a monster. My commute to work is 40 minutes each way, so that eats up gas. I have several monthly bills to take care of (cell phone, internet, and three credit cards). I'm also making monthly payments on imaging, lab work, and doctor's visit bills, or at least I'm trying to. I stay with family so rent isn't an issue at the moment, though I would like to get out of their hair for real. I have to wear wrist braces every waking moment, and I also wear a knee brace because of the aforementioned dislocation. I wear wigs due to hair loss and would really like to get a new one, one of a much better quality that will last longer than the ones I've had before.
tl;dr I'm falling apart and need help; any and all help is greatly appreciated! $1000 is a tentative goal for now since I'm still working, but any extra will help immensely
thank you and peace n blessins
Organizer
Kimberly Gibson
Organizer
Greenbriar Heights, VA