Hello, my name is Holly. I am like any normal American. I had to save PTO in order to be able to hope to afford having a child. Then, the shutdown hit. As a contractor, I am forced to use all my PTO and go negative when it's gone before they do LWOP. Also, we do not get back pay once back to work. We're now 3 weeks into this hell with no end in sight. Each week used has taken a week of the time I saved for my leave when I have this child. Now, we're in trouble. Mortgages need to be paid. Student loans need to be paid. Child care needs to be paid. This money will really just cover the bills so I can recover. That is it. But I also can't roll from the OR, post C-section, right back to the office, because daycare can't and shouldn't take a days old newborn. So, I am hoping to recoup the losses from the reckless shutdown so that I can heal from the major surgery that will ensue this summer. I really just need to replace the paychecks I'll miss in that time, replace the PTO that was stolen, imo, because I was forced to use it during this shut down. Please, whatever you can contribute will be so greatly appreciated. <3