Alleviate financial stress for Mars

Hello, hi! My name is Bonnie, this GFM has been set up with the intention of giving some financial support to Mars, an Indigenous, queer and disabled person who is going through the medical system in order to get answers for some serious and debilitating symptoms.

Mars, who had already been struggling with respiratory issues contracted covid and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), which later developed into pneumonia and two seperate shingles infections resulting in hospitalisation. It's believed that an abnormal immune system response has been triggered which may be the catalyst for the onset of neurological symptoms they have recently begun experiencing.

Mars has been through chronic illness and disability all their life, however the the addition of neurological symptoms (with MS being suspected) has meant that their ability to work and financially support themselves in no longer viable. This has meant that they are struggling to afford rent, and cover bills and medical expenses.

When you go from working full time, to being unable to work there is often no reliable systems to support you. Trying to manage your medical journey, and advocate for yourself is challenging enough but having to do so without a liveable wage feels almost impossible.

I am asking, as a fellow queer and disabled friend of Mars, for help. Mars has been through so much already, has bared their soul and their medically journey thus far in order to get support. I hate that they can't receive support without having to go into every detail about what's going on.

For now I am asking for a minimum of $3000. This will cover;

This target may be increased pending any changes to their situation, diagnosis, treatment etc.

If you know me, you will have seen me struggle through a lot of this medical stuff myself, often it's daunting, confusing, there is a lot of back and forth and so expensive. Yes you may be entitled to some money back via medicare, but from experience, most of the time you are reliant on those rebates to be able to afford the next lot of appointments and testing. Being sick is mentally, physically and financially taxting!

On top of this Mars is also living through the very public debate of being a Blakfulla in so called australia, during the political landscape of a referendum.

If you have capacity and kindness, and want to show solidarity for Blak, queer, trans, or disabled folk please take a moment to share this with your network, and contribute what you can.

If you cannot afford much, please know that any amount is helpful, and that many hands make light work.

love and solidary. xx