I’ve been in EMS for 17 years and got my BSN and have been working as an ER nurse for the last 8 or 9 years.  I ultimately chose to take on an agency nursing contract because I felt like there was more I could do to help out and went to New York because they were getting pummeled by this .  Unfortunately after a few months I contracted a high viral count of Covid 19 from patients I had been taking care of.  Ultimately I ended up with the illness, was hospitalized, intubated, placed on a ventilator for 11 or 12 days, and lived in an Intensive Care Unit for an additional few weeks because I was in chongestive heart failure, respiratory failure, septic, and several of my organ had taken a blow in the process.  

I was just thankful to be alive and still am very blessed to have pulled through.   

My parents were put in a position to choose end of life care, or keep on battling while I was comatose.  

Luckily, I ended up getting through that experience alive, which horribly isn’t always the case for a lot of people.   

After being released, due to insurance issues, I wasn’t able to get into a rehab hospital to rebuild my strength, and I was senthome prematurely to make space for some folks that were worse off at that point. 

Unfortunately because of a blood clot that formed, and my complete weakness, I collapsed two days after being discharged and broke my left leg/ankle.

Ive petitioned workmen’s comp twice but they stand firm saying there’s no way to prove I became ill due to an occupational exposure to the virus.  And I’ve been without any income for almost 5 months, and was just reaching out to see if anyone’s got some spare change they wouldn’t mind tossing in my direction to help me with the thousands and thousands of dollars I’m getting slapped with bill wise.  

Any and all efforts to lend a hand to help me get back on my feet, so I can get back to helping you and yours, is honestly and very much appreciated.  

Thank you all so much again,
-Shawn