Greetings, I’m Michelle! I have faced challenges from the very beginning. Born premature and abandoned at birth, I spent my earliest years in an orphanage before being adopted. Unfortunately, life never really got much easier for me. Despite this difficult start, I worked hard to overcome these adversities, earning a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and dedicating my career and life to helping others in the behavioral health field. Health Challenges and Disabilities: My life took a drastic turn eight years ago when I contracted Lyme disease during grad school (photo included of the plate-sized Lyme rash on my leg). Without timely diagnosis or treatment, it progressed into a chronic condition that continues to affect me to this day and requires long-term antibiotic therapies. In 2020, I faced another life-altering challenge; a severe COVID-19 infection, which required four emergency visits and two ambulance rides. The illness led to long COVID, which uncovered several other comorbidities, many with no cure. This left me completely bed bound for three years, and while I’ve made small progress, I remain homebound relying on virtual platforms for appointments and social connections. Forced Retirement and Financial Struggles: These illnesses have forced me into early retirement before I could fully launch my career. While I was approved for SSDI due to immune deficiency, it’s simply not enough to cover the overwhelming costs of: • Rising insurance premiums • Life-sustaining medical care and treatments • Medications and supplements essential to managing my conditions • Basic living expenses My monthly rent is $1,600 and my SSDI payment is only $1,200. I have been fortunate enough to survive thus far with the assistance of credit cards, and a part time job that was recently dissolved due to automation. I'm looking for a new position, but it is really difficult to find a job with the hours and accommodations I need because of my illness. No Family Support, But a Furry Companion. I have no family support, but my cat, Little T, has been my constant companion and emotional support throughout this journey. On my hardest days, it’s his presence and love that keep me going. However, Little T has his own health issues and requires expensive urinary wet and dry food. While he’s excellent at comforting me, I haven’t yet figured out how to get him to pay the bills! How Your Support Will Help: Your kindness and support will help me stabilize my health and prevent losing the little security that I have left. Donations will go toward: Medical expenses and specialist care Insurance premiums and necessary treatments Living expenses to ensure stability and safety Urinary cat food and cat supplies Giving Back to the Chronic Illness Community: Despite everything, I remain hopeful. My dream is to recover enough to become an advocate for others in the chronic illness community. I want to use my experiences to help others who are navigating similar challenges. For years, I dedicated my life to helping others, and now I’m humbly asking for help in return. Every donation, share, or kind word makes a tangible difference in our lives. Thank you for helping me hold on to my home, my health, my furry best friend, and my hope. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering offering your support during this critical time. With Heartfelt Gratitude, Michelle and Little T. ❤️🐾 Go Fund Me: https://gofund.me/2edbcd86