I’ve experienced similar quandaries in my life before, but you have to ask yourself, “would I think any less of my friends/family members if they asked me for help?”
Comment on AITA for doing a GoFundMe? (Details within.)
FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 year agoI know, but they’re my friends and I don’t want them to think less of me since I’m asking for handouts.
PP_BOY_@lemmy.world 1 year ago
meco03211@lemmy.world 1 year ago
I’d maybe be a little hurt that my friend didn’t think they could ask for some help.
FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Fair.
Lemjukes@lemm.ee 1 year ago
American individualism and ‘bootstrapping’ is one of the great American Lies. There is no shame in needing help because broken social systems failed you. Anyone who would think less of you for needing help with medical bills is someone you don’t want in your life anyway. if we were truly a civilized nation you wouldn’t be having this problem.
foggy@lemmy.world 1 year ago
You could ask a friend to set one up for you, which could help lessen that stigma
FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 year ago
That would just make me feel guilty for asking them! I’m a guilt-ridden mess!
PeleSpirit@lemmy.world 1 year ago
What if you have something that needs to be caught early? You need to get to NY and find out and not fumble around in the dark in Indiana. I’m not shitting on the doctors in Indiana either, some places are more specialized and it sounds like your doctors are more general health or things they see a lot.
FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 year ago
What if you have something that needs to be caught early?
It’s a little late for that, but I do appreciate the advice because it really is worth going if I can get the money to do so. It will just be a very expensive trip because, even though I would be driving to New York, I will need a place to stay in NYC before they check me in, unless it will be outpatient, and after I’m checked out to recover. And then, of course, there will just be the cost of the testing there. So this is a lot of money we’re talking about and I don’t even know if I’ll reach that amount. I don’t even know what the goal should be.
But everyone seems to think that I should do it, so I guess I’m going to move forward on this. I want to make absolutely sure I could get into the New York hospital first though. I don’t know this cousin all that well. It’s conceivable that he might be full of shit. He sounds sincere, but I can’t be sure.
PeleSpirit@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Do you know what hospital it is? They might want to study your issue or can give advice to get around the system. In Seattle, we have the UW teaching and they do things for less. Teaching hospitals are the best for mystery illnesses.
FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Yes, I do know which hospital and it is connected with a university, but I still have to pay for it, which will still mean more medical debt. Good point about giving others the opportunity to do good.
otter@lemmy.ca 1 year ago
Great advice already here
Another thing is that you’re not directly asking any particular person to donate. They have the option to just share the post with others (which is also great because there are more people out there who also want to donate/advocate on your behalf).
You can also include a message similar to what you have here :)
Hope
FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 year ago
You can also include a message similar to what you have here :)
Very good advice! Thanks!
SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 1 year ago
If they’re really your friends, they will be happy to help you.