mcglirkymeow
89367
1640
54
2020 has been brutal. January, my company cancelled my contract after 6 years when it was discovered I have epilepsy - undiagnosed for 35 years.
Covid broke out and me sick on meds, I couldn’t get a job right away. Discovered I have freaking brain damage from child abuse as a kid and didn’t know it - I was a banking exec and can’t do that work anymore. Six weeks of Covid, nearly died. And here I am, a year after that diagnosis, and Covid has testing delayed - I am not cleared to work, and a team of 6 docs working with me. I’m not well at all.
I’ve pushed through it all and been really okay, until November 2020 when the Canadian Government decided I’d been too long without a full diagnosis and prognosis and cut all funding, despite all 6 docs (4 specialists) declaring they can’t due to Covid delays. I haven’t had money since. My sister, who lives in Europe, calls me up yesterday, walked me through a grocery order online and paid for it. She had me get things I can’t get, lots of staple foods and freezer foods, enough to keep me going a couple of months with the food bank filling in the gaps. It arrives in a few hours.
The significance: my life reduced to sobbing because someone remembered I’m alive and took care of one of the stresses in my life: food. Many people have no idea what it’s like to not know if tomorrow you’ll be eating. I worked hard to not have that worry since food was withheld from me as a kid. My 49th birthday is around the corner and for it, I received food, and it’s the best present I’ve ever gotten. Keep life simple, kids. I had everything: home, a good wage, savings, investments, friends - all gone in a year. And it’s still an awesome life. Every day. Enjoy your Wednesday, my dudettes and dudes! I get to eat a full meal today!
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EDITED: HOLY carp and mackerel, FP. You people are amazing. I've received PMs of encouragement, offers of sending money (thank you, but I'll be alright - there's others that are in more dire need!) and just.. wow. You've made this lady's day, month, year. Seriously.
FP... uh.. no dick pics cuz, I'm a lady. Or something. I will gleefully take cat photos, recipes for easy & inexpensive meals & stories of your fave D&D crazy character builds.
Holy hell.. overwhelmed. There are seriously awesome people in this world.
weirdsmith
That's pretty rough trot you've had. Glad you're still looking on the bright side. It says a lot about your character. Enjoy the food!
Kaivarii0210
I'm really glad you've made it this far and that your sister was able to look after you even from that distance.
jbilly90
Fuck yes. Woot. Garden if you can.
Zahnradfee
I hate countries that treat their ill and disabled this shitty. Cancelling support because there is not final diagnosis yet... that sucks.
4nicator
So happy for you, don't ever give up we need you and we love you.
HappyPetunia
You asked for recipes; Check this subreddit out: https://www.reddit.com/r/EatCheapAndHealthy/. I hope things turn around for you quickly!
mcglirkymeow
I’m on there for sure, been subbed (and a poster) for awhile. Thank you so much regardless!
Catscradle2112
I'm so glad you got food and i know what that is like...we went hungry as kids and all you can think of is food. <3
Astramancer
My favorite stupid D&D build: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/War_Hulking_Hurler_(3.5e_Optimized_Character_Build) 1179d6+23 damage.
mcglirkymeow
LaurenLikesStuff
DM for recipes, sent!
mcglirkymeow
Woot! Thank you!
artisanbutnotartistic
and simmer until rice is tender. The more rice you add, the farther the meat stretches. Freezes well and reheat in microwave :).
MAN9000
A friend once gave us $200 when couldn't afford food. Never forget that. Also standing in food lines sucks. From the US.
ChloeRed
One of the christmas presents I used to give a friend of mine was X vouchers, good for a big shop each time. When they needed it, we'd 1/
ChloeRed
go to collect them, go shopping, and fill the house/freezer with what was needed. 2/2
rudejohn
I think standing in food lines sucks no matter where you're located.
MAN9000
Yes.
CouldntCakeLess
All the best!
JohnSmithterms
In the UK firing someone for an illness can quite easily end up in a 5 figure lawsuit. They can stop paying you for not coming into work tho
EchoDelta141
?food, glorious fooood! HOT sausage and MUStard?
StabbyMcMurder
That's a rough hand to get dealt. You got a positive attitude though, which is awesome! You got this!
Dominator497
I'm very glad things worked out OP. When I read things like this, I get sad. I think humanity needs to rethink a lot of ways that we operate
artisanbutnotartistic
Cheap and easy: 1 pound ground beef, rice, tomato sauce and spices of your choice. Brown the hamburger, add rice, sauce and spices 1/2
mcglirkymeow
Thank you! I always forget about rice. I actually have some. Betcha I can cook a batch and store in the fridge for a few days too. Thanks!!
seijirou
It's so awesome that you have a positive attitude still. Bless you and bless your sister. I hope your 2021 is the inverse of your 2020 <3
mcglirkymeow
Thank you! Hope your ‘21 is massively better too, even if your ‘20 was amazing.
OrdinarilyBob
I've been without Food before in my life. Sux. Glad you got a Basic Life Need filled. If/when you need more help, ping me and I'll help.
OrdinarilyBob
Here's your requested cat pic to brighten your day (with sound):
mcglirkymeow
Omg LOL! Thank you!
tsunamisue
Oh man! So glad you've come this far bud!! Thank goodness for people who care. You are not alone! Thanks for sharing!! Can't wait to 1/?
tsunamisue
See where you go from here! Glad you are positive, open to help, and moving forward! Don't give up, the best is yet to come!
mcglirkymeow
Heck yeah it is - she ordered me chocolate. CHOCOLATE! And coffee! I’m excited ?
SayingThisIsTheWayRandomly
I'm trying to a lot of your past for the fuck that downvoted this comment. I hope there's more chocolate and coffee in your near future!
SayingThisIsTheWayRandomly
Upvote a lot of your past comments, oh my! What happened here? That should get downvoted ?
mcglirkymeow
LOL! I have to admit that first comment got a head tilt... And thanks - Favour returned :)
MarredWoodWithNails
Good job just putting one foot in front of the other & keeping going. That sounds like a lot of tough stuff going down; you're a strong one.
KnobRider
Holy shit, and what a fighter..! Sending good vibes from Norway
mcglirkymeow
Gorgeous country -- thank you from Canada. Snow to snow!
KnobRider
Canada is breathtaking, it's on my list ? Cheering for you, and I take my hat off to you! Snow to snow you can do it ??
thenewteddy
talk to your provincial MLA about what programs could help you on the provincial level.
mcglirkymeow
Already in the works. I'm in Alberta - not the best government for this, so it's been WW III
thenewteddy
excellent! Remember that if your mla can't help, or seems to not being useful; try the nearest MLA from the other party.
thenewteddy
they always love the chance to "show up" "the other guys"
mcglirkymeow
LOL! Never thought of it. Good idea.
youreablurb
I know Keto has become super trendy but it has been shown to reduce seizures in epileptics. Source to follow:
youreablurb
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/epilepsy/diet-therapy.html
mcglirkymeow
Yup - and was on it early last year. It helps a little bit, especially with regular sleep which is huge. I can’t afford it now though.
WhereismyMrKnightley
The wage, savings, investments gone.. I understand. But what happened to your friends?
mcglirkymeow
Friends are great when you’re healthy and can go out. When you’re ill, I learned not many know how to react to that - they fade out.
kestrelhawk55
Too true. Fair weather friends aren't friends at all.
ButWhyGrrr
So true! I feel good when I think if this though. Not judging them... But being grateful to be know who u can depend on is a boon.
DaisyTeddyBear
Remember it's a pandemic and people are in lockdown. Maybe they just have their own shit going on too and don't understand your situation
mcglirkymeow
This happened in December 2019 - pre-pandemic. I don’t hate anyone on this planet but even a ‘hey - you okay?’ is kind. I did the same for//
mcglirkymeow
them when they needed help. It it’s all good. I don’t help people with an expectation to get help back, though a pulse check would be nice.
wette
you can't expect to get help without asking for it - regardless of how you've taken care of people before.
ShaqWiggle
Hey OP, can I send you a pizza or something for your birthday? Didn't want to send an unsolicited DM, but message me if that's ok :)
plopardo
Would chip in, I was thinking Mexican but pizza is becoming the universal caring currency
mcglirkymeow
My birthday isn’t until mid-April, but I’m truly okay. I know we have pizza angels on here but everyone works for their money and times //
mcglirkymeow
are tough everywhere. I’ll be alright and see what happens in another month. I’m hoping the government will approve the appeal and I’ll be//
mcglirkymeow
set for another while. Thank you for your kindness — there are good souls out there!
eStroJen28
Let us know if you need help again, and how.
mcglirkymeow
Thank you -- I shall!
CJFoxx11
Shipping to Canada is wildly expensive but if I can help otherwise I'm in also. I wonder if OP had any luck with cannabis for the seizures.
ShaqWiggle
I'm in Canada, so all good!
mcglirkymeow
Cannabis was tried and triggered off a chain of seizures that landed me in the hospital. No dice on that one.
unknown2222w222
Did you smoke it? If so try cbd oil /sweets maby that will help?
mcglirkymeow
All three, actually. CBD oil helped a bit with sleeping and didn’t trigger seizures but didn’t help either. Just wasn’t cost effective.
unknown2222w222
Fair enough im sorry this must suck ! :( it helps my stomach pain so i just smoke it coz cbd oil is soo expensive !
SnottorCat
Good luck bud, I have epilepsy and had to keep it under wraps all my work life. I'm lucky it's not serious and meds do their work if I do 1/
SnottorCat
things right and keep my schedule. I had good runs of 1-2 years without any seizure, never at work. But it's tough to keep your 2/
SnottorCat
mouth shut about it, even when you make good friends at work. I know someday will forcefully come to light and I will lose my job for it, 3,
SnottorCat
I'm trying to make my own business and work things out by myself step by step and don't depend on a job.Be brave, you will sort it out. Hugs
guyano
In many places you could sue the living shit out of a company for getting rid of you on medical grounds.Is that not the case where you are?
Twrecks123
With epilepsy, they might be able too. Because the seizures happen it might create a confidentiality or safety hazard.
mcglirkymeow
And yes - I'd have to disclose due to safety and insurability. I mean, I do get it - there's a job to be done. Just a jerk move.
Twrecks123
I’m sorry!
mcglirkymeow
Y’know, it’s a good thing. Working that high of a level is stress 24/7. I’m broke, not sure where May’s rent is gonna come from yet, but//
mcglirkymeow
happier and more relaxed than I have been in a decade. I’ll take it. Could be worse!
mcglirkymeow
Because I was on contract, they could pull it. If I were employed as a regular employee, I could have sued. And would have. What they did//
mcglirkymeow
was reprehensible.
IDontKnowWhatToDoAnymoreAndImTired
For the record, if you're in the US, getting fired for a medical condition? EXTREMELY ILLEGAL. You should speak to a lawyer about this.
mcglirkymeow
Canada, and I was in contract. Legal, though mayyyyybe I coulda fought it. Couldn’t at the time.
IDontKnowWhatToDoAnymoreAndImTired
Okay, can't speak to Canada. In the US, epilepsy is considered a disability under the ADA, so employers have to make accommodations.
mcglirkymeow
It’s not here. Well, to a point, but epilepsy is barely acknowledged here. I use the USA’s epilepsy website for info. It’s awesome.
IDontKnowWhatToDoAnymoreAndImTired
That sucks, I'm sorry to hear that. Though now I realize somehow I missed the references to Canada in your post. I'm an idiot. Wish I could
IDontKnowWhatToDoAnymoreAndImTired
do something to help. Don't be afraid to take people up on offers if you need it.
newfieladlm67
Hey OP. I'm in Nova Scotia and would love to help out if there is something you need. DM me if there is anything I can do for you.
mcglirkymeow
I'm good for now - especially now that the food issue is dealt with, and rent/bills I have enough for April. May might be a different story/
mcglirkymeow
/but for now, it's good. Thank you for your kindness!
newfieladlm67
Hit me up if you need some assistance.
mcglirkymeow
Thank you again - truly. The comments and DMs from people today just reminds me that this world has a lot of awesome left in it yet.