Those with chronic fatigue-related illnesses have become overburdened on the deepest of levels. While we are learning more about the root causes every day, these conditions are complex and do not have mainstream cures covered by health insurance plans.

In addition, those struggling with acute chronic fatigue cannot build up their capacity in the same way as someone without this condition can, and must carefully titrate their physical and mental activity or else risk “crashing” in bed for hours, days, weeks, or even months. These limitations can have severe consequences, with folks being unable to fully support themselves or their families. For those without the financial means to make it through this period, which can last years, decades, or even a lifetime, such conditions can be devastating. Right now, people are slipping through the cracks and struggling to simply get by with symptoms that few people understand, let alone have compassion for. I’ve been there – in many ways, I still am there.

Essentially, I’m on a search for my invisible bedfellows.

Which means, I need some help. My own illness limits how much energy I have to both support myself and to do this work. Despite this, I am committed to offering a free newsletter and pro bono and sliding scale group and individual sessions, because I firmly believe that my path requires finding accessible and creative ways that those of us living with chronic illnesses can heal, together.

So, if you appreciate this work and would like to help me keep it going as well as keep it accessible to those who need it most, I would be endlessly grateful! Maybe you:

• Find this work useful and are in a position to help
• See how this work could be useful for others, and are in a position to help
• Are not in a strong financial position, but providing a token of support feels meaningful
• Are very rich and very drunk and happened across this page by accident and think it would be such a lark to give oodles of cash to a rando (…a girl can dream)

THANK YOU!

If you would like to learn more about my story and why I do this work, you can check out my Gofundme campaign. And heck, if you cannot give financially but you want to give something, then please do so! It can be a newsletter comment or an email so I know I’m not writing to an empty void, a recipe, a song or book recommendation, a favorite poem or quote. Whatever floats your boat – and I genuinely cannot wait to see what that is! You can reach me at bethanyschmid@gmail.com or by joining and commenting on my free newsletter.