Melissa Goodman's quest to get back on her feet

I never imagined myself in this position. I'm stranded, isolated, injured, without a steady income stream, savings depleted, running out of necessities, beong consumed by an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness. My name is Melissa Goodman and just 2 weeks ago I had a plan & the pieces were falling in place. My new job was starting; I finally had my medical and Social security appointments lined up.

In the blink of an eye

My job offer was revised & my new start date is not until November. My car broke down, and a catastrophic chain of events began. I wasn't able to get to my biopsy appointment (abnormal cells consistent with melanoma), my Orthopedic Specialist (Bone marrow lesion & Ankle fracture not healing), or my Social Security eligibility appointment pending those results. Then, I Re-injured my ankles while walking to the nearest convenience store for food & supplies. It feels like glass is grinding between my calf & foot where my ankle should be. Next, I couldn't qualify for an equity loan on my house or car because my job didn't start and Finally, I find out I can't sell my house without replacing the septic and eating up most if not all of my equity. I'm entirely out of options, and why I am asking for assistance to raise $6,600. My 2014 Fiat needs to be towed and breakss, speed sensor & transmission repaired and temporarily help cover medical expenses and necessities for Riley (My dog) & me.

My back story

I bought a little house near the Lake in East Texas three years ago. I'd been at a job I loved with good benefits and no credit card debt; I was only paying on my home and jeep. My credit score & savings the highest they've ever been.

Covid begins

I was admitted to the hospital, where I stayed five days, released on bed rest without diagnosis & still feeling awful. I was surprised to learn I had been laid off while in the hospital on FMLA. The company was closed temporarily along with most area schools and businesses due to Covid.

Uri turns out the lights

I was finally working, the new job was remote, I loved it. I worked a lot of overtime and was emotionally drained with Covid, the death & illnesses of my friends and family. I hadn’t watched news or paid attention to weather or power grid issues so I was completely unprepared for Winterstorm Uri took down the powerlines leaving my rural E. Texas community without power for ten days. As a result I'm unemployed (again), with double pneumonia, a damaged jeep, busted pipes and roof that needed to be replaced. Recovery was difficult and slowed by the fact we had Little if any cell or internet service, there was no gas or food, stores were closed &/or empty for atleast another 2 weeks.

I got half

By the time I'm approved for unemployment I'm already employed. It took 23 weeks, If I hadn't return to work I would have over $8,000 in additional income and not had a 5 month gap of income coming in.

Delta

It took 4.5 months to start another job after delays with computer access. I loved it, everything if going great, I went to training for a week in Dallas. Then, I slipped at home and broke my left ankle, two days later I can't break a fever of 102.8 and find out most of my Co-workers I was with last week have Covid . Delta was my 3rd and most difficult round with covid. I was in the hospital & ER several times over the next few weeks. My Orthopedic Surgeon appt delayed 3 months before I get an MRI or return to work. Another month of not being able to get in with the Orthopedic surgeon, My GP gets the MRI results & I have a Bone marrow lesion on my right ankle and probably needed surgery. I should've been be off both my feet this whole time & can't go back to work.

And so it goes

Unemployed again, tens of thousands of dollars of medical bills, no insurance, ineligible for any kind of benefits or assistance (no dependents &/or made too much money &/or not working). Finally, the last week of February I'm cleared to work and start job hunting and get to collect unemployment again from March to July. During this time I've had 48 interviews, 20+ said I was over qualified, 5 said I was under educated, 11 were scams either requiring a fee or to buy equipment. A few never gave a response leaving me with 5 job offers with start dates, 4 of these offers have been retracted due to either hiring freezes or buisness closures and the last job offer has a start date of November 7th. I've liquidated all my assets, maxed out my credit cards, surended my Jeep had to get help from friends to make it this far. I got the Fiat from family unfortunately it wasn't as reliable as told and ive spent the last of my cash trying to troubleshoot the issues myself. Having my car fixed and help with medical costs and necessities temporarily would give me a renewed sense of hope. I wouldn't be so isolated, be able to get to the store and run errands. My ankles are not holding up and I'm afraid the Bone marrow lesion is still present and further injury may force me off my feet again. If I can get to my Orthopedic Appointment and have my biopsy complete. I'm confident one of these results will provide the answer(s) needed to begin the healing process permanently. Should there be long term issues my Social security eligibility claim should kick in and give the medical and financial coverage needed to weather that storm.

I would love nothing more than the opportunity to begin my job in November healthy & able to stand on my own two feet again. Any help with making me reach my goal would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Melissa D Goodman