Invisibly Disabled Black Non-Binary Artist Needing Support

I am an Invisibly Disabled, Neurodivergent, Non-Binary Black Arts Worker and Community Care Advocate experiencing financial hardships during a time of burnout and needed recovery.

“My body is sacred. Exhaustion does not honour the sacred.” - Tricia Hersey, The Nap Ministry

I am reaching out for support because I have comorbid conditions, including ADHD, IIH, PCOS, Asthma, Depression, Anxiety, BPD, and - very likely Autism ( that I am hoping to confirm in the near future) -resulting in debilitating chronic fatigue. I am frequently bedridden/immobile and go through cycles of cognitive decline. I often cannot balance caring for myself and maintaining employment during recent cycles of burnout. I don't have the family or community support available to help (without sacrificing more of my mental health and autonomy). To date, I haven't been able to access hospital care because I used to have a support partner for support who was also anxious about me being hospitalized. After our separation, I had to start working during a mental health crisis point and it's been incredibly tough to "recover".

Because of the several comorbid conditions without adequate medical care and recovery, I experience memory loss and general cognitive decline. I can write and often speak clearly, but managing a fairly demanding administrative part-time job, needing additional necessary short-term employment contracts, household chores, grocery shopping, and other essential adult responsibilities, has become extremely hard. It was already challenging when I was "married," and has become even more difficult now after surviving years of financial and emotional abuse in my relationship. My husband’s eventual departure left me not only alone but also in debt.

I am currently receiving Employment Insurance and waiting on the results of an ODSP application. Still, the amount of EI I receive is not enough to cover all my expenses, so I have fallen behind on rent and require medication costs not covered by insurance, and I am experiencing food insecurity.

If you are able to donate, I would truly appreciate it. Once I am able again, I have every intention of paying it forward as I am a dedicated advocate for community care and mutual aid.

It is difficult asking for help, …especially as I have had to turn to my community for help before, but I look to the words of Tricia Hersey the founder of The Nap Ministry: “Unravel from toxic individualism. Ask yourself: What does it serve me to navigate life by myself? The lie of individualism keeps us separated, isolated, exhausted, and disconnected. Without collaborating in rest and care, we will not make it.” I know right now I am limited and I am in need of help.