Let's help Barbara Mitchell through a rough patch

Barbara is a wonderful human and has helped and supported so many of us over the years. She's been injured and could sure use a little help right now. Please feel free to share this with others and help spread the power of good!

Here is her story:

On September 21, I was working the wine tent at Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Outdoor Summer Concert Series when I tripped over an unsecured cord from the point-of-sales terminal and landed knee-first (and hard) onto concrete.

I initially brushed it off, believing I’d be fine (maybe a little sore) but back on my feet in no time. I had a full schedule and several new work situations I was looking forward to starting.

I haven’t worked since.

It turns out that I sustained a tibial plateau fracture – a fracture at the top of my shin bone at the knee joint – which has made event work impossible.

My employer is covering medical expenses, but at the moment it appears that I’m going to receive about $400 TOTAL for what’s conservatively going to be 10 weeks’ worth of lost wages because I was a part-time, seasonal employee at CSM and they have private insurance rather than coverage through the state.

I’ve talked to an attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation. I’ve talked to the state Department of Labor & Industry. I’ve talked to CSM’s insurance company, who have been incredibly great and are apologetic about the amount of lost wages they’re able to compensate me for.

There’s nothing anyone can do.

I’m not good at asking for help. I’m used to being the person putting on benefits for other people. This is a humbling spot to be in.

But… I need help. Rent alone is $1200/month (cheap by Seattle standards) and even though I live on a Trader Joe’s budget and drive a 21-year-old car, expenses sure do add up – especially when you don’t have any income coming in.

Any help you can provide, no matter how small, means the world right now. I promise to continue paying this forward when I’m back on my feet.