Digging Out of Crisis

Good heavens, where do I start? As some of you know, I've been having a really rough time since my Mom passed away in 2010 - that year was a definite turning point in my life, and not in a good way.

Starting that year, my daughter was diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis. That was Christmas of 2010 - we spent most of her Christmas break from school in the hospital. A biopsy showed that when we caught the disease, her liver was already badly damaged - they didn't know whether or not to call it cirrhosis it was so bad. So I essentially live every day not knowing whether my daughter will survive, what's going on inside her body, or if she will need a transplant at some point. Right now it is mostly under control with medication, but there are a lot of concerns with the medications too.

That year also started the downward spiral of my health and my income. As my health got worse, naturally I was unable to accomplish as much writing as I normally would, and eventually I would be kicked off welfare benefits for time spent on them. I have been trying to get disability for almost 4 years now, and still have had no luck - even though SS admits I can't get a normal job!

I'm basically at rock bottom right now - I live on $30 a month from the VA and food stamps. That's it. My father helps me out with a credit card when he can, but we are getting close to maxing it out, even with my paying $100 on it every month. That takes care of my basic bills and what basic needs I can't afford. I have medical bills from both of us, including prescription costs for me, most of her's are free with the state health care I'm on. But unfortunately it doesn't cover a lot of things that I need for my health, such as alternative care (massages, herbs, acupuncture, chiropractic care etc) and any type of support I need to just live a normal life. It also doesn't cover basic care such as dental, optometry etc for me, just my daughter.

To give you an idea of what I face each day - I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, degenerative disc disease, anxiety disorders (yes, plural!), panic disorder, depression, chronic headaches, bursitis in my hips, insomnia, herniated disc in my lower back, muscle fatigue and weakness, Reynauld's and cold sensitivity in general, GERD...and I'm probably forgetting a few things. It's quite the list, and I take a fistfull of meds daily just to get out of bed.

I really hate asking for help, but I have really nothing to lose at this point - seriously, even the roof over my head is falling apart! So if you can spare anything, as little as $5 would help ease up some of the pressure, make things a little brighter for Midget, and clear my mind so I can write more and follow my dreams, so that one day Midget can follow hers. And hers are vast right now! Everything is appreciated, with sincere gratitude.