Help a disabled trans gent survive!
Donation protected
My name is Aubrey, and I'm running this campaign on behalf of my platonic partner Jo.
Jo is a swell human being who, in addition to being transgender and an advocate for LGBT+ individuals, has done social work, taught kids, and has volunteered their time to society in abundance whenever they've been able - until a traumatic brain injury on the job a little two years ago completely derailed their plans. Since then, they were forced to work part time until they could no longer manage even three hour shifts a few days a week. A long battle in court was necessary just to get the worker's comp insurance to cover the basics for treatment. It's only in the last few months that they've finally been able to begin recovery.
Compounding problems, although they're in the uncertain process of waiting on a disability determination, they are no longer able to work. The savings that they earned in the court battle have dwindled, and they only have enough rent money left to cover February. That's it. That's all the money they have, and none is coming in. On top of that, part of their recovery work is a vision exam and treatment that will require upwards of $500 -- more than their cost of rent -- upfront, before the worker's comp insurance will reimburse them.
Jo has given me permission to be candid here about their disability and their struggle. Living with them, I have seen firsthand just how bad things are. They only have a finite amount of energy and focus, which often means prioritizing personal care or productivity. We are both disabled in different ways, and for Jo, that sometimes means that they can either cook meals for the day or clean, but then they may not remember to take medication or bathe, or they might develop a debilitating cluster headache if they try to multitask too much.
They are supposed to take regular, hourly breaks to sustain their energy, but this can be hard to remember, as they also suffer from memory problems and lack a concept of time. One bad day like this can lead to several days of recovery, wherein all they can do is alternate between sleep, migraines, and walking around in an incoherent daze. They need reminders to eat, to do certain essential daily tasks, or to remember appointments. Sometimes they end up too drained to even attend these necessary appointments, sleeping through them and setting them back further on their recovery track.
There is no way that Jo can work in this condition, at least not until more recovery work is done, and even then, recovery work is exhausting and can be a two steps forward, one step back kind of thing. With no money coming in and no disability determination in sight, Jo needs help - your help, if you're able. Every little bit makes a difference, and every share pushes Jo closer to having a safety net.
Jo's rent is about $460 a month, which includes utilities and internet. My goal is to help them raise three months' rent, with enough of a financial buffer for items like medication and gas to get to various appointments. This should get them through the initial disability determination and one round of appeals, if necessary.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Sincerely,
Aubrey
Jo is a swell human being who, in addition to being transgender and an advocate for LGBT+ individuals, has done social work, taught kids, and has volunteered their time to society in abundance whenever they've been able - until a traumatic brain injury on the job a little two years ago completely derailed their plans. Since then, they were forced to work part time until they could no longer manage even three hour shifts a few days a week. A long battle in court was necessary just to get the worker's comp insurance to cover the basics for treatment. It's only in the last few months that they've finally been able to begin recovery.
Compounding problems, although they're in the uncertain process of waiting on a disability determination, they are no longer able to work. The savings that they earned in the court battle have dwindled, and they only have enough rent money left to cover February. That's it. That's all the money they have, and none is coming in. On top of that, part of their recovery work is a vision exam and treatment that will require upwards of $500 -- more than their cost of rent -- upfront, before the worker's comp insurance will reimburse them.
Jo has given me permission to be candid here about their disability and their struggle. Living with them, I have seen firsthand just how bad things are. They only have a finite amount of energy and focus, which often means prioritizing personal care or productivity. We are both disabled in different ways, and for Jo, that sometimes means that they can either cook meals for the day or clean, but then they may not remember to take medication or bathe, or they might develop a debilitating cluster headache if they try to multitask too much.
They are supposed to take regular, hourly breaks to sustain their energy, but this can be hard to remember, as they also suffer from memory problems and lack a concept of time. One bad day like this can lead to several days of recovery, wherein all they can do is alternate between sleep, migraines, and walking around in an incoherent daze. They need reminders to eat, to do certain essential daily tasks, or to remember appointments. Sometimes they end up too drained to even attend these necessary appointments, sleeping through them and setting them back further on their recovery track.
There is no way that Jo can work in this condition, at least not until more recovery work is done, and even then, recovery work is exhausting and can be a two steps forward, one step back kind of thing. With no money coming in and no disability determination in sight, Jo needs help - your help, if you're able. Every little bit makes a difference, and every share pushes Jo closer to having a safety net.
Jo's rent is about $460 a month, which includes utilities and internet. My goal is to help them raise three months' rent, with enough of a financial buffer for items like medication and gas to get to various appointments. This should get them through the initial disability determination and one round of appeals, if necessary.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Sincerely,
Aubrey
Organizer and beneficiary
Aubrey Ramsdell
Organizer
Leverett, MA
Jo Hawthorn
Beneficiary
