Jennifer Potocnik

My friend Jennifer has worked hard for 33 years as a medical social worker, helping others find resources to get them through our difficult medical system.

Now it’s her turn.

Jennifer has been suffering from chronic back pain for over 25 years. I have been friends with her throughout this time and have been continually amazed at the strength and perseverance she’s shown. She’s gone through decades of injections and physical therapy. She never gave up and kept trying.

But the time has come and she needs our help.

Jennifer now has total numbness on the bottoms of both feet and knees, and has extreme weakness in her legs related to severe nerve impingement in two places in her lower spine. She’s constantly in tremendous pain.

She was recommended surgery 7 months ago for a L-5/S1 fusion; however, her goal was to keep working, despite extreme pain, until next June, when she will be eligible for short term disability. Unfortunately, things have progressed faster than expected and now she can’t walk for more than a short distance. She had another MRI, and now needs an L4/S1 TLIF fusion as well.

She hasn’t been able to work for the past 6 weeks because her symptoms are now quite serious. She does not qualify for her disability insurance until next June and is currently on unpaid leave.

Like most single social workers and other public servants, she basically lives paycheck to paycheck, with a mortgage and car payment plus other bills. She also has a sweet Gordon setter Ruby, who is important to her as a therapy dog and was her hunting partner when she was able to get out.

Jennifer has spent her life advocating for others. I’m hoping you will join me in giving back to her during this hardship. She is currently on unpaid leave from her job. She may not be able to get back to work for up to a year, and without disability insurance, she has no income. Thank you. Any help you can provide would mean a great deal to her.