Help Lio Heal from Long Covid
Donation protected
Hey y’all!
If you know me, then you know how ridiculously hard-headed I am about asking for help. I hate it. A lot. You know how extremely difficult it is for me to write this post.
For those who don’t know me, hello, my name is Lio (they/them). Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
To put it simply, I need help. A lot of help. Currently, my health is very poor and has been poor for many years now. A radical ‘90s surfer boy might describe me as “sick as hell, bro.” Once you’ve read my story, you might agree with him.
After a viral infection in 2020, I was diagnosed with Long Covid. If you don’t know what Long Covid is, here’s a TL;DR: it’s hell on Earth. Eating a hive of fire ants would be a cake walk compared to this.
There are over 200 symptoms of Long Covid.
I have experienced 172 of them.
My symptoms include organ damage, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and adrenal dysregulation. I’ve got (more than) 99 problems, and Long Covid is alllllll of them.
This illness has severely impacted both my ability to work and my income. As a result of all of these symptoms, it’s been incredibly hard for me to survive on my own. I have depleted my savings. I am barely surviving, and the only way I’ve been able to make it this far is by working more than my body can handle. For context, I am fatigued after taking a ten minute walk around my block. I once went on a hike and spent the next three weeks face down in bed with debilitating pain.
Because you are an incredibly intelligent, handsome, and funny individual, I’m sure you can imagine how well I handle a 40 hour work week.
Now times that by four.
That’s right; I currently have four jobs/gigs to make ends meet. My neuroinflammation is so bad some days that I can’t even count to four.
It is impossible for me to sustain myself this way. I’m not living. I’m not even surviving. I am clinging tooth and nail to the edge of a cliff, and my fingers are starting to slip.
I created this fundraiser to help cover some of my immediate survival needs and purchase assistive devices, services, and treatments that will make it easier for me to manage my symptoms, survive, and work. I have extensively researched these treatments, and, in the case of the Vielight Neuro Helmet, even trialed some of them, with success. I have high hopes these tools will increase my chances of recovery while decreasing stress, inflammation, and pain.
With your support I will be able to pay for:
Vielight Neuro Helmet + Vagus Nerve Stimulator.
- These two products reduce neuroinflammation and help me be functional so I can work without exacerbating my condition. I’ve used the photobiomodulation helmet before for two months, and it drastically reduced my brain inflammation.
- As for the Vagus Nerve Stimulator, one of the first body parts that Long Covid attacked was my vagus nerve. This left me with vestibular issues that cause intermittent nausea, vomiting, confusion, migraines, vision problems, heart palpitations, fascial tension, nerve damage, and more. It also effects my ability to drive, meaning my ability to engage with the world has been severely impacted. Soothing the vagus nerve has been a key part of my treatment. I’ve reached the limit of what I can do with at-home devices, so it’s time to invest in medical-grade equipment to lessen symptoms and add functionality into my life. Long Covid symptoms have robbed me of my independence. These two devices are the ones I need the most because many of my symptoms are exacerbated by vagus nerve issues, myalgic encephalitis, and brain fog.
Cleanair Space Halo PAPR Device.
- This is a wearable air purifier that lets me have my own private tank of purified air. I need it because I’ve been pushing off necessary speech pathology appointments that require me to remove my medical mask, which I cannot due because I am now immunocompromised and cannot afford to catch any illness. Due to my vagus nerve issue damaging the left side of my body, my tongue no longer works correctly, and I need assistance in relearning how to shape sounds. I can’t speak as clearly nor as long as I used to without causing excruciating pain and migraines. My job as a writer includes more talking than it does writing. I need to be able to clearly pitch my ideas, and “sound professional” in this industry. My inability to sound more “professional” in my field is hampering my ability to get work. Addressing my speech issues would help me get more work opportunities. This device would help me get these speech issues treated, and improve my chances of finding work.
Nukit far UVC torches.
- These Far-UVC torches inactivate airborne viruses. When I have to unmask for speech and dental appointments, using these would add another layer of protection to prevent me getting sick.
Laminar air flow portable purifier.
- This air purifier creates a bubble of clean air around your face. Like the Nukit torches, this would add another layer of protection.
These assistive devices give me hope that I can go beyond barely surviving and start thriving.
I just need a little help from my friends, and kind internet strangers, to get there.
Your support and consideration means more to me than you can possibly imagine.
Thank you for reading, you wonderful human, you.
Cheers,
Lio
Organizer
Elliott Maya
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA