Dear John,

In early 2018, I started to realize that something was wrong. I began falling asleep while commuting on the subway, even while standing up and clinging to a pole so I didn’t fall and smash into anyone. I walked everywhere, but just going two blocks would exhaust me and my knees would redden and swell. By the summer, I had a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and a new care plan with physical therapy and medications that suppress my immune system to prevent it from attacking my joints.

I had chronic pain from migraines even before this diagnosis, but the symptoms of my new condition were debilitating in a different way. Medications helped my fatigue and pain, but it wasn’t easy and I found myself relying on my older sister, who is also disabled, a significant amount. I developed a "care pod"—a group of friends, family, and other disabled folks—as I acclimated to my medications, and things started to even out. But I also had to leave a new job after three months because management refused to accommodate my disability and care needs.

That’s why I believe so strongly in the work we do at Caring Across—every day I get to work to change the narrative around care and caregiving, and I get to do it in a workplace surrounded by people who value care. Will you join me in this work with an end of year gift of $25 or more today? [[link removed]]

Having a community of people who care for me, and who I care for, has been an incredibly important part of my life. We take care of each other, and I have leaned on them a lot during the pandemic, since I’m immunocompromised.

But we need more than this. Our access to paid leave shouldn’t depend on our work place, and the ability to pay for care shouldn’t depend on our incomes or if we’re lucky to have good insurance through our jobs. If I had been able to take paid medical leave when I was acclimating to medications and their side effects, I might not have left that job after three months. We need a care infrastructure so that people can have the space to take care of themselves and their loved ones.

Caring Across is working towards a world where we have systems in place that let people give and receive care without losing work or being stretched beyond capacity. We’re working toward a world where care is visible and valued. Help us make that world possible, with a gift of $25 or more. [[link removed]]

On behalf of Caring Across, and myself, thank you for being someone who values care and caregiving.

With care,

Katie O’Connell, Digital Director
Caring Across Generations

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New York, NY 10006
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