Tishana Brown

Hi everyone! It’s hard for me to say this, but I really need your help. These past few years have been some of the hardest I’ve experienced. Losing my mother was difficult enough, it’s still hard to believe she’s not here, to the multitude of health problems within the last year. Between the removal of my gallbladder, cutting a cyst out of my shoulder, and a full hysterectomy due to numerous fibroids, it’s all taken a heavy toll on me. Getting back on my feet has been excruciating, as I’ve been fighting to recover not just physically, but mentally as well. Having a severe mental breakdown lead to being diagnosed with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Therapy has been amazing, but it’s a process, and a slow one at that. When I could finally return to work, I could only do so with a reduced schedule, doctor’s orders. My ADA paperwork was filled out and then mis-handled by New York Life, who handles our short- and long-term disability for State Farm. None of the needed documents made it to work, resulting in my time off being denied and State Farm firing me. Unemployment and Food Stamps haven’t paid anything in the last 8 weeks, it just shows as pending. Even after numerous calls and emails, I still can’t get an answer. I know it’s likely due to the government shutdown and layoffs, but even going to the office in person just resulted running around in more circles. Thankfully friends and local food pantries have been making sure me and my dog don’t starve, as well as gas funds for interviews and necessary errands, but I need a bit more help so I can keep my home and pay for my life-saving medication. I’ve tried all the rental and government assistant programs, as well as local churches, but they’ve all been defunded. I’m not asking for continuous support, but just enough to get back on my own two feet. I appreciate the time you’ve taken to read and thank you in advance for any help you can give. Blessing and Prayers, Tishana