Recovering from endless emergencies
Donation protected
June 23, 2018
Since my father died in January 2017, my life has been an escalating series of expensive, traumatic, statistically improbable disasters.
Right now, I'm preparing to fly to NY to make end-of-life decisions for my aunt. I'm her POA and medical proxy, and unfortunately, after a very long and horrible decline, I'm sad to say that multiple sclerosis is going to win. My aunt was my father's only sibling, and she is the only relative left on that side of the family. I never knew my grandparents. The quintessential cool aunt and the reason I'm a cat lady, she has been a huge influence on my life, and I'm devastated.
It's not cheap to travel last-minute, and it comes on the heels of an absolutely improbable list of disasters, all of which were hugely expensive or emotionally devastating or impaired my ability to work, or all three. These include the death of my father, the death of a friend and of a beloved mentor on the same day, a second-trimester pregnancy loss, more pet emergencies than I'd budgeted for, an emergency trip last year when my aunt was critically ill but turned around, various expenses associated with being my aunt's POA, many of my own medical expenses for dumb accidents, illnesses, and so on, and on, and on. And on.
I estimate that these situations have cost me well over $10k. My emergency fund didn't consider the possibility of 18 months of unending disasters. My savings are gone, I have liquidated many of my assets, work is slow, and I'm a freelancer: I have not been able to afford to take time off to "grieve" or engage in "self-care" for any one of those events. I'm terrified of what is next, because I no longer believe that I won't wake up to a huge, expensive, life-altering disaster.
If you are willing to help, I'd be so grateful. If you can't give, but might be willing to help out with the pets or yard when I'm away, that would be so appreciated; I'm also happy to help with resume edits / reformats and I have a rate for friends.
If you don't want to give to me, please consider donating to the MS Society, as they have helped by subsidizing the geriatric care managers and are a great organization anyway.
It would still mean a lot even if you just said hi.
Since my father died in January 2017, my life has been an escalating series of expensive, traumatic, statistically improbable disasters.
Right now, I'm preparing to fly to NY to make end-of-life decisions for my aunt. I'm her POA and medical proxy, and unfortunately, after a very long and horrible decline, I'm sad to say that multiple sclerosis is going to win. My aunt was my father's only sibling, and she is the only relative left on that side of the family. I never knew my grandparents. The quintessential cool aunt and the reason I'm a cat lady, she has been a huge influence on my life, and I'm devastated.
It's not cheap to travel last-minute, and it comes on the heels of an absolutely improbable list of disasters, all of which were hugely expensive or emotionally devastating or impaired my ability to work, or all three. These include the death of my father, the death of a friend and of a beloved mentor on the same day, a second-trimester pregnancy loss, more pet emergencies than I'd budgeted for, an emergency trip last year when my aunt was critically ill but turned around, various expenses associated with being my aunt's POA, many of my own medical expenses for dumb accidents, illnesses, and so on, and on, and on. And on.
I estimate that these situations have cost me well over $10k. My emergency fund didn't consider the possibility of 18 months of unending disasters. My savings are gone, I have liquidated many of my assets, work is slow, and I'm a freelancer: I have not been able to afford to take time off to "grieve" or engage in "self-care" for any one of those events. I'm terrified of what is next, because I no longer believe that I won't wake up to a huge, expensive, life-altering disaster.
If you are willing to help, I'd be so grateful. If you can't give, but might be willing to help out with the pets or yard when I'm away, that would be so appreciated; I'm also happy to help with resume edits / reformats and I have a rate for friends.
If you don't want to give to me, please consider donating to the MS Society, as they have helped by subsidizing the geriatric care managers and are a great organization anyway.
It would still mean a lot even if you just said hi.
Organizer
Miranda Tedholm
Organizer
Portland, OR
