A Duck Sitting in a Nest of Nonsense

@gracieminabox, who pre-2018 Star Trek Tumblr natives might remember, is one of my best friends. We've been friends for roughly the last 10 years. Gracie is an abortion worker, reproductive and queer rights advocate, and cat mom. She signed up to be on a community watch when ICE was terrorizing the Twin Cities, where she moved a few years ago after Texas begin cracking down harder on abortion care. Gracie helped my partner and I move cross-country last summer. In short, this is someone who loves and cares for her community.

Back in April, Gracie went to the ER via ambulance for leg weakness so severe she couldn't really stand, let alone walk. She spent roughly two weeks hospitalized, and another two weeks in in-patient rehab. During this time, she was diagnosed with polymyositis, which is under the inflammatory immune myopathies umbrella. While this is something that can go into remission, and she can hopefully redevelop some muscle strength, this is something she will have to live with for the rest of her life.

And well... American healthcare fucking sucks. Insurance has already refused to cover the majority of her rehab stay (after SIX appeals), and Gracie and her mom have already had to pay out of pocket for the majority of her mobility aids. Since treatment hasn't been successful thus far, they're pursuing more aggressive treatments. Those could cost $10K per treatment if insurance continues to be the way it is. Since she's still waiting on the final bills, who knows what else is on the table.