Help Karina with medical bills and expenses

Hi, my name is Karina. I am a musician and teacher in NYC and I am currently in the process of being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Because of my chronic pain and fatigue, I have had to take a lot of time off work (unpaid), and even after just a few months, my medical and credit card bills have skyrocketed. I have started this fundraiser to help pay my insurance deductible for this year ($5,000) and help cover treatments not covered by insurance (acupuncture, support groups, massage therapy, etc).

These medical complications began with a crowd-crushing accident about 9 years ago; trapped at the bottom of a pile of people, my body folded in half, I ended up in the hospital with multiple concussions, three compression fractures in my mid-back, and severe shock. After many years of therapies and treatments (while I was still on my parent's insurance), I was able to finish college and start a professional career in NY. Unfortunately, many years later, debilitating pain has had me stuck in bed for months. My diagnoses so far include PTSD, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, IBS, headaches, insomnia, nausea and vomiting. Singing, teaching, and working have become almost impossible. Because my partner and I are self-employed, the insurance we can afford does not cover most of my treatments and therapies.

If you have ended up on this page, I want to thank you for taking the time to read about my story. I have not asked for help over the years because I know so many people in the world desperately need the help of this amazing community. If you are unable to help with any financial support, please know that just taking the time to read this means so much to me. Additionally, if you have any other resources for fibromyalgia, PTSD, chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, disability for self-employed workers, etc. please reach out, as I would love any help you may be able to offer.

Love and gratitude,

Karina Camile Parker