Title: Help a Dedicated Nurse Heal and Build a Brighter Future

Dear Friends, Family, and Fellow Humans,

My name is Andrew Wilson, BSN, RN, and I have dedicated 13 years to the career of nursing, providing compassionate care to countless patients, from all backgrounds of life. Today, I am humbling myself to ask for your support as I face an incredibly challenging personal health journey that has led to unexpected financial burdens. I am a devoted partner and a father to an 11-year-old daughter who relies on me. I am asking for help, for her sake.

Throughout my career, I have poured my heart and soul into caring for patients. As a traveling cardiac specialized RN, I have worked in over 10 different facilities, from Washington to central Oregon, Northern California, and now San Diego. Recently, I was on medical leave from Scripps Prebys Cardiovascular Institute due to unforeseen severe mental health challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed me to immense suffering and loss, which took a heavy toll on my mental health. The relentless demands and increasingly inhumane conditions in hospitals left me burnt out and struggling with severe mental health symptoms.

As I tried to settle down in San Diego, the overwhelming mental burden I had been carrying began to manifest in severe symptoms. Panic attacks at work and an unrelenting sense of anxiety forced me to take medical leave from my beloved profession. Therapy and medication to manage my symptoms became essential as I sought to understand and cope with these experiences.

During therapy, I discovered that I am autistic and have severe ADHD. This diagnosis at the age of 35 has been both enlightening and challenging. It provided a new understanding of my life and work, explaining many of the difficulties I faced, but also highlighting the need for specialized treatments and coping strategies. My autism manifests as heightened sensory experiences, which can be overwhelming and had gone undiagnosed for so long.

While on disability leave, I was laid off from my job. This has left me without a steady income and with significant financial burdens, including student debt, and loss of my medical insurance. Disability and unemployment benefits are not enough to cover my essential expenses, including rent, utilities, and medical treatments. Specialized treatments and therapies are crucial for my recovery, but they come with significant costs.

These financial burdens are overwhelming, and I am humbly asking for your support to help cover these essential expenses.

In light of my experiences and new understanding, I have decided to focus on building a small business in the creative arts, and lean into my sensitivities that I lacked awareness of for my entire life. This decision aligns with my new understanding of the way that my mind operates, and supports a calm, healing environment, essential to my recovery and ability to cope with my neurodivergence. Your support will not only help me manage my medical expenses but also enable me to start this new chapter and create a brighter, healthier future for myself and the ones that rely on me. .

How you can help:

I am aiming to raise $50,000 to cover:

-$20,000 for medical bills and therapy sessions**: This will ensure I get the treatment necessary to heal and manage my conditions.

- **$15,000 for living expenses and student debt relief**: This will help cover rent, utilities, and reduce the burden of student loans.

- **$15,000 to support my new business. venture**: This will provide the initial capital needed to start my small business and pursue my passion for creative expression.

Your generous donations will go directly towards these essential needs. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference in my journey towards recovery and my pursuit of a new career.

By sharing my story, I hope to raise awareness about the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, especially those diagnosed later in life. Autism and ADHD can present unique hurdles, but with the right support and understanding, it is possible to lead a fulfilling and successful life. With the fresh perspective my diagnoses have provided, I am committed to giving back to the world in a way that aligns with my true self.

Your support means the world to me. By contributing to this campaign, you are helping me manage my medical expenses and giving me the opportunity to heal and build a new, meaningful career. Every donation is a step towards a brighter future filled with hope and kindness.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your compassion and generosity. Together, we can overcome these challenges and look forward to a more hopeful tomorrow. One day at a time.

Humbly written with heartfelt gratitude,

Andrew Wilson, BSN, RN