Hello, my name is Justice.
On December 17th, 2024, I was assaulted while playing Pokémon Go on the 38th St pedestrian overpass. The assailant struck me on the cheek and the eyebrow, ultimately leaving me with a concussion, which has been the gift that keeps on giving (sarcasm). I was recently admitted to the hospital for 1 week due to an infection that managed to take root in a space created when I was punched. This has created 2 abscesses, 3cm and 1cm respectively, directly next to my spine. The surgeons said they felt it was too risky to aspirate, so I have been on IV antibiotics for 2 weeks, and they just dropped off another 13 days’ supply.
Unfortunately, FMLA only has 520 hours of protected leave, and Paid Medical Leave runs concurrent with that. So, in the time I was waiting on my post-concussive therapist appointment, almost 5 months following the assault, I have used up my Family Medical Leave and Paid Medical Leave, and have only just begun the multiple treatments necessary to get me back to work.
I am seeing a vestibular therapist, a speech/cognitive therapist, and a post-concussive therapist. I will be seeing a vision therapist and have seen a neuro-ophthalmologist.
I’m writing now because I have not had a paycheck since May 20th and am out of money. The only income currently coming in is mom’s social security, and it isn’t much and certainly doesn’t make ends meet.
I moved home to help mom out with the bills and house, and now I am an expense as opposed to help.
I’m not doing well with this. My brain no longer works how it has worked for me for most of my life. My vision, though it was messed up before, is so much worse and impossible to function with now.
I had a number of autopay items that hit one of my bank accounts and overdrew it without my realizing it had started doing so. My main account is at 0. My cards have been used to buy groceries and are now late. I have run out of options but to come to the community. Work is doing all it can to hold my position, but I can’t go back to work if the problem that caused me to go on medical leave isn’t fixed, and at this point, the therapist most likely to achieve that has only had 2 appointments with me to try.
So if you can help me to make it, I have a week-long hospital stay to pay for, my meds following the hospital, food, other bills, and gas to get to my appointments. Any and all help will be appreciated.
