“I was on the verge of dying.”
Crystal A. of Sedalia, Mo. feels lucky to not only be alive, but to finally know what was causing her to feel so sick for months on end.
“At first, they said it was a bacterial infection, but it wasn’t getting any better,” Crystal said. “Then they thought it was caused by a tick bite. But I’ve been bitten by ticks before and never had anything like this. So I ended up going to the emergency room in Warrensburg.”
That’s when she learned all her symptoms were actually being caused by a severe spider bite, most likely from a brown recluse. She was hospitalized for more than a week. And after being released, she’s needed ongoing care from a wound clinic to get the area routinely cleaned.
“It really became a burden to my job. I’ve had to miss a lot of time and pay,” said Crystal.
Without a steady paycheck coming in for weeks, she fell about $300 behind on her electric bills and was facing a potential disconnection. As a single mother of three, that was a reality she couldn’t bear to face.
“It’s not been great, just a lot of stress,” she shared.
Thankfully, her utility provider told her about United Way of Greater Kansas City’s Critical Medical Needs program, available in Missouri thanks to generous support from utility providers Evergy and Spire. To date, more than 600 unique clients have been helped—with an average of $1,000 in assistance each.
“It was such a relief. Because I only make $400 a week on occasion,” Crystal said. “So the help from United Way was a really big blessing for sure.”
She knows the support wouldn’t be possible without people in the community giving to United Way.
“I really appreciate people who are able to give and help,” said Crystal. “I wouldn’t be able to do what I need to do without this assistance. My kids and I truly do thank you.”