Cameron is a caregiver. Now she needs care.

My name is Keely. I'm fundraising for my niece, Cameron Meidam. In their short 24 years, Cameron has survived more tragedies, traumas, and heartbreaks than many people will in their entire lifetimes, including sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and the sudden loss of multiple close friends and family members. After nearly a decade of only intermittent mental health treatment due to economic circumstances, inadequate access to appropriate care, and lack of social support, Cameron finally reached a breaking point. On October 24th, they made the difficult and brave decision to seek help by appearing at Mayo Clinic Behavioral Health and disclosing that they are in crisis. They are in desperate need of funds so that they can have some stability and security while they dedicate themselves to healing.

While they are now connected to a therapist and psychiatrist and covered by their parents’ insurance, Cameron does not qualify for paid time off, medical leave, or other benefits, which prevents them from accessing care. Wait times for appointments are long, finding the right treatment requires trial and error, and they do not have a local support system. They cannot recover from burnout and heal from past trauma while simultaneously sustaining their school schedule, working their physically and emotionally demanding healthcare job and internship, and caring for their pets (one of which has a chronic health condition that requires constant monitoring and maintenance medication). The initial goal of $7500 includes living expenses and anticipated out-of-pocket healthcare costs (ex. medication and co-pays). It also includes $2500 to repay the unsubsidized private student loan that Cameron was forced to take out for the current semester after they were denied federal financial aid.

Cameron – like every person who struggles with their mental health - is so much more than the experiences that have led them to this point: They love concerts and music festivals and dancing; scary movies (particularly Lost Boys and Beetlejuice); road trips to mountains and warm weather; and snuggling with their two rescue cats, Nolan and Peanut.

Cameron with Peanut

Their sense of humor ranges from silly to deadpan, and they're always willing to make a fool of themselves to make someone else smile. They're the ideal partner for a spontaneous adventure, whether that's blacklight trampolining, sculpture garden picnicking, Ferris wheel riding, impromptu hiking in seasonally inappropriate attire, or pie-eating.

Cameron makes a kissy face on a Ferris wheel

Cameron paddles a kayak on a lake

Cameron is a joyful blur as she jumps on a trampoline.

They use fashion as a means of self-expression and share photos of their eclectic style and elaborate makeup looks on Instagram.

One of Cameron's makeup looks from Instagram

A photo from a recent style photoshoot

Cameron is majoring in Rehabilitation Services and was set to graduate in May 2021 until the pandemic made it unsafe for them to participate in the hands-on labs required to complete their degree. They plan to make their career helping children on the Autism spectrum and their families through Early Intervention programs. While in school, Cameron also works in healthcare and spends their days tending to the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of elderly and disabled adults. They have continued this work throughout the pandemic despite the risks to their own health because they are committed to serving the most vulnerable.

The desire to serve is not limited to Cameron's work. They're extraordinarily empathetic and generous to both loved ones and complete strangers. When someone is in distress, they're the first to offer an ear or a distraction, send a thoughtful gift, or jump in their car for a sleepover and much-needed hugs.

Cameron sleeping with Keely's senior dog, Gussy

Cameron and her brother, Hunter, in their pj's with Gussy in a panda hoodie

Cameron and Keely each partly in frame, attempting a selfie during a sleepover

When Cameron's great-grandmother was being neglected in a senior care home, Cameron regularly drove over 6 hours round trip to monitor her well-being, advocated for her to be transferred to a better facility, and reported the home to the state to ensure that no other residents would suffer (the state investigated, substantiated the claims of neglect, and took appropriate measures).

Cameron celebrating their great-grandmother's 103rd birthday in May 2021

Cameron and their great-grandmother on Mother's Day 2021

Cameron's great-grandmother, Helen, grins and reaches up to hold Cameron's outstretched hand Cameron is committed to building a more just and equitable world. She’s known for her very direct intervention style and doesn’t mince words with bigots and abusers. On one occasion, they stood directly in front of a giant pickup truck full of white frat boys yelling racial slurs at a Latinx student to tell the harassers exactly where they could go with that behavior and before escorting the student to their dorm. During the Black Lives Matter uprising in 2020, Cameron was beaten by police, arrested, and jailed for multiple days after joining peaceful protests in Minneapolis. Upon their release, they were doxxed by a Conservative blogger, which endangered their life. Even so, Cameron continued (and continues) to use their voice, experiences, and privilege to draw attention to the treatment of Black and Brown folks by police and to call out injustice wherever they see it. These are only a few examples of the ways in which Cameron supports their loved ones and their community. They pour their soul into everything they do, and they now recognize that they cannot pour from an empty cup. The only way for Cameron's cup to be refilled is for them to dedicate themselves to healing. I am asking the world to show up for them the way that they show up for it so that Cameron can get well and continue to be the brilliant, bold, and extraordinarily kind human they have always been.

Cameron with their cat, Nolan.