General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDoes it EVER get better?
Full disclosure: I've asked for help before this past spring via GoFundMe, and many, many kind souls (most of whom I've never met) responded generously and compassionately, enabling me to stay in my little country house, and begin my new career as a non-medical caregiver for the elderly, a job I am finding quite fulfilling (I'm learning additional and valuable advocacy skills, and my clients love me!). I remain grateful beyond words for the help I received this spring.
Frankly, I was confident that this recent request for help was going to set my course to success as a non-medical caregiver, the full-time employment I expect to maintain until my retirement in five years.
However, on November 2 of this year, after two weeks of rather limiting back pain caused from lifting and shifting a bedridden client, I was standing outside beside another client on a beautiful autumn day, when this independent, creative, elderly client FELL right in front of me! My automatic response was to try to stop the fall, but I couldn't! This all happened in the blink of an eye.
The outcome of this accident? A broken wrist for my client, and a severe back injury and sciatica for me. I have been bedridden since that day. The first three weeks of November, I've had severe and relentless pain in my lower left back and down to the calf of my left leg. For this past week, my pain has been manageable, but I am unable to do much more than hobble to the bathroom or into the kitchen. The distance to my kitchen is daunting, but I am now managing two meals a day, and I have been able to wash a few dishes!
Anyway, I have an appointment with my doctor to get a referral to a specialist so that I can get an MRI. I may need back surgery, but I should qualify for my state's version of the ACA, since I've had such a meager income throughout this year (to date, I've grossed around $5300).
Obviously, I've generated zero income for the entire month of November. I'm not sure when I'll be able to get back to work (I'll know more this Thursday), but I do know that I'll need a lot of help to pay my monthly bills for the month of January (I actually had saved my last two paychecks, and they were sufficient to make all my monthly bills for December). In addition to my regular monthly rent and utilities, I need help paying for my doctor's/chiropractor's visits (my chiropractor has been kind enough to wait for his payments) and the drugs I'll have to purchase.
I know I've said this before, but please do note that I have been a volunteer advocate for survivors of relationship violence for more than thirty years. I've created and facilitated peer support groups and provided one-on-one advocacy for survivors during this time. For the past 15 years, my volunteer work has been focused on children and an informal type of art therapy. Before I moved home to Newton County, I was providing free art lessons for low-income children.
This is volunteer work that I am continuing where I currently reside. Right now, I'm providing free art programs at our local library, I'm helping three younglings by tutoring them in math, and I am helping one amazing young artist by transporting her to our knitting group and our woodcarving group (at least, I was providing transportation before this accident).
Again, I mention my volunteerism, because I want everyone to understand that I am giving as much as I can at present, and I fully appreciate everyone giving me as much as they can to help me.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of my request. My GoFundMe can be found here.
chervilant
(8,267 posts)even if you cannot afford to help--and I personally know how difficult times are--please K&R so my request will get more exposure.
Mnemosyne
(21,363 posts)chervilant
(8,267 posts)Too many of us are struggling. I know that this is the make or break for me. I will not be homeless, and I will not move in with my toxic family. I do have another option, but I try not to talk about it because it freaks people out, whereas I view it as a perfectly reasonable option, given the times.
I hope things get better for us both.
Mnemosyne
(21,363 posts)edge of that abyss. Things have to change sometime is what I keep telling myself. Each day is another chance for something to go right.
I'm having to sell my home, at a big loss, soon. Sheriff's sale for 1600 in property taxes July 2016 and am not going to lose everything I put into it. Just have nowhere to go.
I wish you the best, chervilant. PM if you ever need someone to listen.
chervilant
(8,267 posts)I absolutely despise banks. I was working for Countrywide when Mozilla led the initiative to sell sub-prime loans to "the previously under-served clients who couldn't qualify for a conventional loan." I remember the hairs on the back of my neck stood up as he pontificated about these "under-served clients," whose foreclosure rates were about 27%. He told us that we were "looking at that statistic all wrong," and that it really meant that "over 70% of subprime loans are viable, secure mortgages." We all know what happened there.
BTW, I refused to sell those sub-primes, and resigned soon after my manager stopped negotiating rates for me, leaving me dead in the water.
Gosh, I wish I could help YOU.
(I will PM you anon, I am having to rest after seeing my doctor today, and let the pain get back to a dull roar.)
Response to chervilant (Reply #11)
Mnemosyne This message was self-deleted by its author.
Mnemosyne
(21,363 posts)I deleted my other reply as I was afraid it gave too much info out in public. PM if you want to chat.
Please don't worry for me! Things will work out one way or another, always do. Just sometimes fear of the unknown rears it's head and despair can grab one quickly at times.
chervilant
(8,267 posts)I struggle daily not to succumb to despair. I have been in this bed a MONTH on December 2, and I have to stay in it another two weeks. No income coming in... It's pretty scary.
I'll PM you when it warms up and I can type longer.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)Recced your thread.
chervilant
(8,267 posts)That hug helps a lot, too.
uppityperson
(115,679 posts)I am experiencing similar, can not help but can k&R and wish you luck.
chervilant
(8,267 posts)I hope your situation improves, as I hope for myself and so many others. There are simply too many of us lined up at the edge of the giant abyss, with the oligarchs poised to give us a little nudge.
Photographer
(1,142 posts)I ended up hospitalized for a couple of months, I lost everything except my laptop and phone and now live in a hotel room with a not so secure future. This was a month after my mother passed and I spend a good deal of my time crying and unfortunately cannot find and am not fit for work.
Best of luck to you.
chervilant
(8,267 posts)I am so very sorry to hear about your Mom!
I was my Mom's caregiver the last three years of her life. I lost her unexpectedly--to kidney failure. I miss her every day. It took me over six months to get beyond the extreme grief, where I would cry unexpectedly, and sometimes just couldn't stop. I still talk with her, almost every day.
I wish I could give you a BIG hug.
Photographer
(1,142 posts)She had a stroke which took her voice and left her infirm for three years. We knew the end was coming but it still hurt(s) like hell.
We visit in my dreams where she can walk and talk again... And dammit. There I go again.
chervilant
(8,267 posts)that my grieving (ALL humans' grieving, she actually said) is a very personal experience, and that no one can tell me how or how long to grieve. Her words of wisdom helped me tremendously, as I gave myself permission to rage at the arrogant doctor (in absentia) who prescribed her the meds that destroyed her kidneys; and to succumb to long, racking sobs at night, when I missed tucking Mom in and telling her "nite nite, don't let the bed bugs bite!" She would always chuckle.
I have many wonderful memories from the three years I had my Mom all to myself. Those can never be taken away from me.
I hope you have many wonderful memories of your Mom.
again.
Photographer
(1,142 posts)AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)chervilant
(8,267 posts)I wish I had enough strength in my back to actually MAKE some popcorn...
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)Good luck, I hope things improve.
Delphinus
(11,840 posts)So sorry you are going through this. I hope you heal soon.
chervilant
(8,267 posts)My doctor has me on a stronger pain killer that makes me nauseous and gives me a slight headache. The pain is manageable, but I still have to stay off my feet for the next two weeks.
I encourage everyone I know/meet to take care of your back!