Abbey Needs Surgery - Asking for Help with Associated Costs

Hi all, here's the gist - many of you may not know that last year I was diagnosed with a severe tarsal coalition and osteoarthritis in my left ankle. I'm set to undergo a subtalar fusion on April 25th and we're humbly asking for some financial help from family and friends who might be able. It's really hard to know how much to fundraise for since there are so many uncertainties but this is where we're starting.

Now, the simplest way to explain what I'm dealing with is that I have extra fibrous matter growing across bones and joints in my foot, where there shouldn't be. It's very likely that this is something I was born with but wasn't symptomatic enough to cause me major issues until last year when I visited a foot and ankle specialist up here in the PNW.

After moving to Washington at the end of 2022, I joined an indoor soccer league and started a pretty labor intensive job at a farm. Both of these things brought me great joy but unfortunately became the trigger that led to immense daily pain in my left foot that I could no longer ignore. I saw a doctor in the early summer of 2023, finished testing in the fall, and ultimately realized that this issue wouldn't be going away on its own or even with some conservative treatment options.

I felt lucky to be connected to a doctor who didn't rush to surgical recommendations but after a year of this issue getting exponentially worse, I've decided to pursue a subtalar fusion to correct the deformity in my foot with hopes that it significantly decreases - or better yet, completely takes away - the pain that I feel on a daily basis. The last year has been really tough on my body and brain and I'm hopeful that this surgery will drastically improve my quality of life because, well... I sure hope to have a lot of life left in me!

Unfortunately due to my current role as an AmeriCorps (this job ends in July and I'm considered a volunteer, not an employee of any specific entity), I've been told that I do not qualify for standard medical leave or disability assistance. I am still going to try and apply for the Washington State Medical Leave but it is almost certain that I will not qualify - however, I won't know this until after my surgery when I can officially apply. While Eric and I are fortunate to have some savings, we definitely aren't prepared to lose half of our income for an undetermined amount of time. Eric was laid off late last year and as you can imagine, that had already caused a bit of financial uncertainty.

I really want to let my body heal so I'm currently planning to take at least one unpaid month off from AmeriCorps in the initial recovery stage. I'm hopeful that I can do some remote work for my AmeriCorps position from June-July (when my term ends) but as with any surgery and especially one that requires a significant recovery period (6-12 months, for much of which I'll be non weight-bearing and very slow back to independent walking), we have to do what we can to prepare for the unknowns. I have health insurance through mid-July but after that, things are a bit uncertain (depends on flexible work opportunity, independent insurance costs, etc.)

Right now, our current needs are:

Eric and I deeply appreciate you taking the time to read through and consider supporting this fundraiser. We're believing in a full and healthy recovery so that we can move forward with our lives.

Much love and gratitude <3,

Abbey & Eric