One of those "I'm having a hard time and need help" posts

[AniaR]

Disclaimer: I promise this isnt an annoying post crying about my white privileged problems asking for handouts! I know we're all sick of those, but I hope as someone who has rarely asked the community for anything you can take a moment and read my little blurb here and my tumblr post and do me a favour and share it.

I will admit I am really really struggling with my health both in pain levels and financial levels right now. I have had to spend all the money I delegated for this month on my health and it's looking like this will be the trend. I am totally not looking for handouts, it drives me nuts when people do that and I am not starving or poor. but I do need help to be able to afford effective treatment and it becomes a spiral when I cant work because of pain. I've been in pain for two weeks now chronically and Im at the point of limping and I can't sleep or do normal things (I've been to the doc) I am hoping you'll take a look at this tumblr post I made about all the things I sell and ways to help me earn money without spending any of yours, and read it and share it around. Even if you can't buy something or do anything, sharing is caring. I wanna appeal to you guys. I spend a lot of my time and my money trying to help the mercommunity, whether it's on a grand scale like mernetwork or an individual scale. I also paid 2k out of my own pocket to travel to merfest and give workshops I wasnt paid for so I could teach people in the community. I really do try to help people. In the past I have donated money to several of your fundraising efforts because I believed in paying it forward. It would really help me if you could at least read and share. Thanks <3

http://rainamermaid.tumblr.com/post/88816605180/hey-folks-you-may-know-i-am-dealing-with-quite-a

It's really hard for me to ask for help with this stuff. I try really hard to be a role model to everyone and show that you can be self sufficient and make things work. But this is how I make thing works. I book gigs. I sell stuff and services. My health is starting to infringe on my ability to book things, so I need to really push the selling aspect. Plus, most of you cant hire me for gigs ;)

edit: someone on tumblr actually asked what I have done for free -_- so here's the list of things I have done and still do! http://rainamermaid.tumblr.com/post/88819862540/you-said-you-do-a-lot-of-stuff-for-free-in-the-mermaid for the cynics out there. LOL

[Mermaid Galene]

Raina, I have several chronic health/pain conditions myself, and I know how hard it can be, especially for us entertainers. I will do my best to help you. You've given so much to this community!

[AniaR]

I'm just thankful you attended my workshop today :)

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[Mermaid Lorelei]

Love you girly. I'll see what I can do to help.

[Meshy]

Will you be offering any signed books? I'll finally be getting a paycheck and after a friend let me borrow your book to read, I'd love to finally have a copy, but I kinda would love a signed copy and I'm willing to pay any extra fees for that. Also, do you sell anything from the store yourself? (etsy page, instead of deviantart... not big print/photo collector) I want to help and since I finally can I'd love to say not only I have a signed copy of your book but a Raina trinket too.

[AniaR]

I could make arrangements for that I just find it is always far too expensive thanks to custom fees and sh from Canada :(

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[Aziara]

Raina, have you ever tried going to an ND (naturopathic doctor)? I've seen many conditions completely or mostly reversed through herbs and diet.

[AniaR]

Yes I have and it's expensive treatment too. It has sort of helped but not nearly as much as these other avenues. I have completely changed my diet I needed to as diet is a huge factor in I.C. I literally cant change it anymore lol. I have been chronically ill as long as I can remember so trust me my whole life style revolves around it ;)

[Mermaid Galene]

Raina, I just made a donation on your web page, and I'll do more when I can. I'll make a point to share your YouTube videos, too. I couldn't figure out which ones earn money for you, though. Is there an easy way to tell?

[shimmygoddess]

Do you have a paypal account? Send me the address and I can send a donation :)

[shimmygoddess]

never mind, I see it :)

[AniaR]

You ladies made me tear up at breakfast thank you so much it really really helps

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[Ariel-Starfish]

Raina, If there is any way I could hellp u out, just say how! :) <3

[AniaR]

A few of you sent me some money totally surprising me. I spoke with some of you and made the offer to link/feature things on my website for you but if you didnt hear from me it means I dont know what your mermaid name is from your paypal name so please let me know!

I cried at breakfast and then again coming home from my gig. it's really wonderful to have some people help me. I never expected that at all. thank you. <3

[NerineArcticMermaid]

I wish I could help to since so many have come to my aid.. best I can do is once I'm at an actual computer is share your tumblr. My injury in April has set me back a little not being able to work posits so far this summer.

Hope my sharing helps.. and I hope you get relief from your pain soon.

[XMermaidMarinaX]

Have you tried this diet called 'The Primal Blueprint?' I've heard of some people doing it and it helps them, not sure how much it would help you, but.. I don't know. Just thought I'd throw in something. >_<"

[Mermaid Amelia]

Oh no Raina so sorry to hear that, will see what I can do for you xx


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[AniaR]

I appreciate all the diet suggestions but folks my diet is very restricted due to ic. I have been through many nutritionist and it is impossible for me to alter my diet anymore without becoming sicker. I have a proven effective treatment plan for me that I'm happy with. Thanks :)

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[Mermaid Pickles]

I hope you feel bettterrrrr! It breaks my heart whenever I find out someone is unwell, whether I know them or not. I just can't help but want to do something for them!

[Merman Arion]

Raina, I'm willing to send you some money but I don't know how :(

[Fifi Tigg]

I sent you some money last night and its not much but I hope it helps :mermaid kiss: xx

[Mermaid Adriel]

I'd help you with all my heart if I could <3

[AniaR]

I few members sponsored me and I put their pages up on my site. <3 <3 <3 I can see people are sharing things because I sold several workshops and books and it's all INCREDIBLY helpful so thank you so so so much everyone. I know all of us who try to sell things really struggle with facebook reach etc and trying to get our products out there without spamming people. I was so floored when I woke up this morning to see how many things had sold and I feel so thankful. I really couldn't be a professional mermaid at this level without the love and support of my mer community :) seriously. I think sometimes I get beaten down because I encounter so many demanding personalities but you all just totally restored my faith and I think my mermaid go go juice. Hahaha. thanks so much everyone!!!

[Mermaid Lorelei]

I purchased your workshop and I have a copy of your book. :3 Let me know if there's anything else I can do. (I'd straight up donate, but you've mentioned not liking handouts...)

[Mermaid Galene]

Thanks for putting Neptune's Keep on your site, Raina! I actually do have a mermaid webpage now, though: www.mermaidgalene.com . Would it make more sense to put that on your site? I'll leave it up to you.

[AniaR]

Its cool Lorelei I appreciate that!!! Galene whatever you'd prefer

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[Mermaid Galene]

Let's go with mermaidgalene.com. My mermaid site links to Neptune's Keep, but I haven't gotten around to linking Neptune's Keep to Mermaid Galene yet. So much internet, so little time!

[AniaR]

Okay, it'll be about 24 hours before I can get it up (lack of computer access while being away for a day) but I'll get er done~ <3 <3

thanks again everyone. I received a lot of PMs of support. I've been selling books and workshops and people are clearly sharing my videos (I make money off my youtube videos) and it's all been a really big help. <3 I think I've got most stuff covered now except for the expensive med and physical therapy. But Im going to stick that on a credit card and just make minimum payments. We are hoping to get all this business money next month and you'll see me purchasing things, I just want to clarify Im not allowed to use it on anything personal, living expenses, health etc anything. Just Mermaid stuff. But I am hoping to purchase a few things for giveaways as a way to pay things forward, and commission artists in the mermaid community with that money too :) <3 <3 <3 so thanks!

I think I'm just so worn down from being in pain constantly. I have dealt with pain my whole life, but with this being a nerve like nothing relieved it. I am using lyrica right now and it takes the edge off which is good. but I am dreaming about getting it chopped off when Im asleep at night, lol. I am really hoping with an adjustment and massage this week, whatever is pinched will get unpinched! fins crossed.

[Mermaid Galene]

Lyrica is an excellent med for nerve pain. I really hope it works for you!

[AniaR]

Had my adjustment today and I'm pain free. Thanks everyone!!! Time to get back to real life!

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[Mermaid Galene]

Awesome! I'm glad to hear it.

[Mermaid Lily_Pad]

Yay! Glad your feeling better!

[shimmygoddess]

yeah....great news!

[AniaR]

I really appreciate the help. It made a world of difference

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[Raayvhen]

Congrats on feeling better Raina. I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner. I'm still planning on buying your book when I get paid so you can have a little bit more for paying off bills.

[MerGrrl]

So so sad to hear you are in such pain. Mega-hugs to you. DON'T feel bad about reaching out to your community for help. A friend of mine did a GoFundMe for help with mental health funding (she is at the poverty level where the care is practically counterproductive to healing) and raised $2k just amongst friends and family (and a few generous strangers). What seems most important with these is to banish guilt (it can cloud your message), to be clear about what the deal is and what you've already done, how limiting the symptoms are, and what exactly the money will be spent on and how these will help. Make the donation channel very obvious and easy.

BEST of luck to you. My heart goes out to you!

[AniaR]

My pain came back but I just got refunded a business purpose so I've got money for another adjustment. It looks like I've got endo on my sciatic nerve grr