Supporting my recovery and staying afloat during medical leave

Hi everyone,

As many of you know, I’ve recently had to take a leave of absence from work (FMLA) to focus on my health. While I am grateful to have the time to recover, being on Short-Term Disability has created a very difficult financial situation that I didn't fully anticipate.

While I am unable to work, my regular income has been significantly reduced, yet my expenses have actually increased. On top of my normal $1,200 rent, I am now responsible for paying $450 a month in health insurance premiums out-of-pocket just to keep my coverage active while I'm out. Between those costs, utility bills, and groceries, the math simply isn't adding up.

The Financial Reality

While FMLA protects my job, it does not cover my paycheck. Being on Short-Term Disability means I am only receiving a fraction of my usual income, and I am now responsible for paying my health insurance premiums out-of-pocket to keep my coverage active.

I am expected to be out of work until the end of February 2026. To keep my housing secure and my medical benefits active during these three months, I have broken down my essential monthly costs:

• Monthly Rent: $1,200
• Health Insurance Premiums: $450
• Basic Utilities & Food: $500
• Monthly Total: $2,150

My Goal: $6,450 This goal covers these essentials for December, January, and February. Reaching this target will allow me to focus entirely on my recovery without the constant fear of losing my home or my medical insurance.

I have all my FMLA approval and insurance premium invoices on hand and am happy to share them privately with anyone who has questions.

Asking for help is never easy, but I’m reaching out to my community to help bridge the gap while I recover. My goal is to raise enough to ensure my rent is covered and my medical insurance stays active so I can focus entirely on getting healthy and back to work.

How you can help:

• Donate: Any amount, no matter how small, goes directly toward my rent and insurance.
• Share: If you aren’t able to donate, sharing this link with your network would mean the world to me.

I am so incredibly grateful for the texts, calls, and support I’ve already received. It makes a world of difference during a tough time like this.

With love and gratitude,

Kara 🖤