Help Forest Ember Heal.

My name is Forest, and I'm struggling. It's with a mix of vulnerability and determination that I ask for your help. I've got some fight left in me—and I’ve realized that asking for help when I need it is an important and necessary part of that fight.

I am a student (currently on medical leave), community organizer, show producer, EmCee, comedian, musician, friend, animal lover, neurodivergent, queer woman who is passionate about advocating for people and facilitating community. And I am in a jam. I find myself at a crossroads, battling physical pain, medical complexities, and the daunting task of rebuilding my life.

I often mask my pain with a smile and a joke. But behind the laughter lies a constant battle with physical and emotional anguish. If I were to convey the extent of my pain every time I experienced it, that's all I would ever talk about.

On August 28th, 2021, I was a passenger in a car accident that left me with injuries from head to toe. From these multiple injuries, to phantom sounds disrupting my sleep, to waking up in panic attacks (it's called Exploding Head Syndrome and it's caused by stress and lack of sleep and it also causes stress and lack of sleep so it's a complete nightmare), to unexpected setbacks in my health, each day presents a new challenge. And the road to recovery has been longer and more complicated than I ever imagined.

Since the accident, I've had between 1 and 6 medical appointments every week. That's 27 months (or 108 weeks) of constant medical appointments. The financial strain of these appointments, unsteady income, and transportation costs, coupled with the need for custom orthotics to aid my healing, has created an overwhelming challenge.

I have run out of PP from the insurance company. I’ve topped out student loans, and being on a medical leave from school makes me ineligible to work at the school radio station as I had been. I continue to produce shows and I’ve been picking up jobs intermittently, but my health is always a factor. At a recent job, I triggered my wrist injury from the car accident. One of my doctors recently told me that in order to progress with all of the physical therapy, I’ll require prescription orthotics. Getting an overdraft fee of $28 this week finally pushed me to the point at which I feel that asking for help is my only option.

I’m fighting a voice in my head that tells me I’m not sick enough to ask for help. I recently told a close friend, “I think people who do GoFundMe campaigns are usually unable to leave their houses,” whereas I’m still able to leave mine. This friend asked, “How many times did you leave the house this week?” My answer was two times, both for medical appointments that I piggybacked other meetings onto. And one of those times I pooped my pants as I arrived at the meeting. I simply cleaned up and continued. This is unfortunately becoming familiar to me. I often don’t realize that my threshold for pain and discomfort—and what is tolerable and “acceptable” for myself—is astonishing; it takes other people pointing out things to me, such as if anyone else pooped their pants, they would likely call off the meeting and go home. But if I went home every time I pooped my pants or was at level 9 pain, I would never be out.

I'm desperately looking for gratitude and trying to come from a place of curiosity relating to my daily pains, all while fighting for a life that does not feel comfortable living.

I’m required to reach what the lawyer calls “Maximum Medical Improvement” before they’ll move forward with the settlement from my accident. But I haven’t and can’t reach Maximum Medical Improvement without maximum medical care. I need your help.

I need to get better. I'm a fighter. I know I can heal. I just need some help.

If you are able to, please consider donating. Please share my GoFundMe with people you know who can help. Your support isn't just a financial contribution; it's a lifeline, giving me the chance to access better medical care and rebuild my life.

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Other ways to help:

-If you have part-time gig work for me, please reach out. I will gladly accept work that will not harm me further, as I need a chance to heal.

-Recommendations for trustworthy medical professionals or specialists.

-Emotional support and understanding during this challenging time.

-Please come to my shows and spread the word about them so they can continue to happen.

Your time, money, effort, and energy are deeply appreciated. Thank you for being a part of my support network.