Basic Stuff
- Name: Megan
- Country: United States
- State: New Jersey
- City: Randolph
- Gender: Female
- Age: 44
- Education: Masters Degree
- Primary Illness: Fibromyalgia
- Diagnosis:
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
- Fibromyalgia (FM)
- Postural Orthostatic Tachcycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Migraine
- Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
- Long COVID
- Year Illness Began: 2003
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the United States when illness began: Yes
- Year of college when illness began:
Functioning Interrupted
Former Level of Functionality: 100
(No symptoms at rest; no symptoms with exercise; normal overall activity level; able to work full-time without difficulty.)
Current Level of Functionality: 50
(Moderate symptoms at rest. Moderate to severe symptoms with exercise or activity; overall activity level reduced to 70% of expected. Unable to perform strenuous duties, but able to perform light duty or desk work 4-5 hours a day, but requires rest periods.)
Work Interrupted
- Former Occupation: Day care worker
- Years of Work Lost: 10
- Current Work Status: On disability
Income Interrupted
- Yearly Income Before Becoming Ill:
$40,162
- Yearly Income From Disability:
$1,450
-
Minimum Current Annual Income Loss:
$63,884
- Total Projected Economic Losses For Years Not Worked:
$562,824
Other Interruptions
Certified Disabled: Yes
Finances:
- My parents or other family members have provided financial support
- This illness has severely impacted my ability to financially prepare for retirement
Work:
- I reduced my work hours
- I left my job or retired early
Housing:
- I had to move back into my parent’s house
Relationships:
- I have been unable to or found it very difficult to date
- I believe this illness contributed significantly to a divorce or loss of an important relationship
