This is a continuation of the fundraising efforts I have been engaged in for the past 2 years as a means of soliciting assistance to help me through my medical condition.
There have been some positive updates to my medical condition since the last fundraiser. Financially, I am in a better place than I have been due to securing membership in the Medicaid program, rather than the COBRA medical insurance benefit program I was formerly in. Thusly, I no longer have the $600 monthly premium that I used to have to pay in order to keep my medical benefits active; nor do I have the co-payment required with each doctor's appointment. That is significant financial relief.
Healthwise, I am also improved; my cardiologist has cleared my high blood pressure through medication, to the point that I am now only required yearly checkups of my heart condition. My chronic dizziness, however, is still confronting me; I have now been officially diagnosed by my private doctor as having POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), a condition that produces dizziness and even fainting spells if I move too much, too suddenly, or are subjected to too much stress. As a result, my private doctor has recommended that I not seek to return to active employment in the short or medium term.
I am still currently collecting Long Term Disability from my former employer's benefit plan; it is currently in review for extension beyond June 2024. Also, I am applying for Federal disability benefits and to have my student loan debt permanently discharged due to my disability; that too is under review. My ultimate goal is to hold on until May 2026 when I reach the minimum age to apply for Social Security and Medicare.
Although having Medicaid has significantly reduced my expenses, I still face minor bills that stretch them to the breaking point, as well as the need to purchase food during lean periods. Hence, this fundraiser.
As always, I thank & appreciate every one who has helped through this.