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Help Amy Recover with cPTSD and Trauma

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I'm working very hard to get well and I'm humbled to ask for help.

American medical system that it is, I'm drowning again in life. If you can donate to cover any part of my trauma treatments, please do.

My first memory is one of the worst traumas of my life. And, unfortunately for me, trauma is hardly an uncommon occurrence throughout my 46 years. Because of the many major traumas that happened to me as a child, young adult, adult and even in the workplace, for whatever reasons, the past 12 months have been so triggering that I'm currently disabled.

Trauma and PTSD are medical diseases, yet I continue to struggle to accept that it's not my fault. And now it's understood that I have cPTSD which actually has caused brain damage and wrecks havoc in every area of my life. 

Since I became disabled this fall while working, my company removed my benefits and I make 50% of my salary on disability. So half the pay, no health insurance coverage and good luck getting better on your own so you can return to work!

In the midst of finally working during COVID, I could tell something was wrong but I was literally powerless to stop it. For me, life became a downward spiral...again. Not able to care for myself, I have to have my mother cook for me to have any chance of eating during the day. Since December, I struggle with being able to eat even more so because the anxiety has shut down my stomach.

Because dark thoughts and negative behaviors became a part of my day to day life, I reached out for help. Having worked so hard on myself all of these years, I could never imagine that I would feel suicidal, lost, hopeless or worthless again. I called my doctor and let her know that I don't know what's wrong, but I do know something is very wrong. 

Thank goodness I had been working with a therapist for years and have been seeing my other doctors for over a year --- because then they could actually be helpful this time. I immediately begin an increased regimen of medications as well as doctor appointments and therapy appointments.

Then the worst thing ever happened. I started losing my executive functioning. Who even knew that was possible?!? Me, a gifted student and top of my class all the way since grade school. Now I'm quickly overwhelmed, confused, irritable and cannot navigate anything myself. Losing my ability to function independently has been excruciating.

To get certified as disabled to qualify for short term disability took over a month. And my therapist pulled my doctor's together and this team REFUSED to let me slip through the cracks. This team REFUSED to let me quit of the times I wanted to give up because it was taking too long and was too difficult to navigate. And then I was approved and eventually discovered that I could purchase my own health insurance --- something that no matter if I lose my job or not, nobody can take away from me.

Thank God for the option to purchase COBRA health insurance coverage. To even get ACCESS TO much needed treatments, I need QUALITY health insurance and I'm paying the $650 month premium so that the following numbers listed below for why I'm asking for financial help are actually not worse. 

I've already had to file bankruptcy last year because my medical bills are already more than the average Americans' these past 5 years, which is of course outrageous. So I cannot take out more credit this year to take or carry this burden myself. Hence I'm relying on the kindness of those friends and colleagues and hopefully some family and your friends who have something to donate during this unprecedented times.

Your donation pays directly for my treatments. To obtain the treatment on April 10th, I'll need at least the $500 down. If these medical bills are paid, then it will also be possible for me to catch up on the 2 months rent I'm behind because, what do you know, you literally cannot squeeze blood from a turnip! It's all I can do to keep moving forward.

What I'm asking for will get me through April with treatment:

Heartland: MD & Psych
$767 and counting

Trauma PHP Program
$750 copay + 10% daily until $8,000 out of pocket

Trauma Residential Program
$850 copay + over $800 travel
(Not doing that again!)

SGB Saturday April 10th at Stella
$1475 
(Note: This is the 50% off compassionate care discount for THE leading treatment that big pharma doesn't let insurance companies pay for).

Specialized PTSD Therapy
$3000
(Other quickly effective and leading treatment that big pharma doesn't let insurance companies cover either).

Please donate to my cause. You will literally be saving a life and helping me to have access to living again.

Sincerely,
Amy

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Donations 

  • Timothy Garrison
    • $50
    • 3 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $25
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $20
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $30
    • 4 yrs
  • Jonathan Stewart
    • $25
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer

Amy Suda
Organizer
Chicago, IL

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