Help Fund Accessible Living During Recovery

Hey there, friends! I'm crowdfunding because I need a little bit of help. As some of you may know, I've been dealing with a pretty nasty knee injury since February, and it's been quite the rollercoaster ride. It all started at work, and initially, the surgeon's Physician's Assistant thought it was just general arthritis. But, as it turns out, another provider took a look at my file and discovered that it's actually an osteochondrol defect caused by my work injury.

Basically, the cartilage that's supposed to protect the bones in my knee joint has been damaged, and now the bones are grinding together. It's been super painful and has really impacted my life in more ways than one. Not only has it made it hard for me to do my job (since I need to walk, stand, and climb stairs), but it's also made it tough to sleep and even get around my own house. It's especially tricky because my room is downstairs, and all the important stuff like the kitchen, dining area, and accessible bathtub are upstairs. To top it all off, I've had way too many falls and near-misses, whether it's on the stairs or in the shower. It's been a rough few months, to say the least.

On a positive note, there's a surgery that could really help me out. The surgeon will clean up the damaged cartilage and perform something called a microfracture, where he'll drill tiny holes in my bones which, fingers crossed, will encourage a sort of "scar" of cartilage tissue to form over the damaged parts. The recovery process won't be a walk in the park, though. I'll have to be completely off my feet for up to two months and then only partially weight-bearing for another two months.

Here's where I need your help. I'm currently living in a household where I can't rely on other people to cook for me or bring meals to my room while I recover. So, I'm fundraising to rent an accessible long-term hotel room with a kitchenette. This way, I can take care of myself and make simple meals without having to worry about navigating a difficult living situation. Your support would mean the world to me, and I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on my progress. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, and I'm so grateful to have such amazing people in my life!

(Pictured: me standing between two local performers for approximately three seconds before going back to my seat. Not pictured: the big, bulky brace under my pants that helps keep my knee joint in alignment and reduces grinding between the bones.)