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Overcoming Adversity: A Personal Journey

Apr 29, 2025

Personal Story of Employment and Hardship

Background

  • First Video Post: The speaker is posting their story on TikTok for the first time.
  • Employment at Patagonia:
    • Started a job at Patagonia last year.
    • Describes it as a great place with friendly environment.
    • Company promotes environmental sustainability.
    • Offers a $3/day stipend for employees using public transport or bicycles.

Incident Leading to Injury

  • Electric Scooter:
    • Speaker purchased an electric scooter to commute to work.
    • Enjoyed the scenic route along the Truckee River.
  • Accident:
    • Had an accident, hitting a pothole at 30 mph.
    • Broke leg, required surgery.
    • Hospitalized and bedridden, on pain medication.

Challenges with Employment and Medical Leave

  • HR and FMLA Issues:
    • Contacted HR about injury and surgery.
    • Instructed to apply for FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) for paid medical leave.
    • Encountered difficulty with paperwork and fees.
  • Employment Duration Issue:
    • HR later informed speaker needed 1 year of employment to qualify for paid leave (only employed for 8 months).
    • Advised to apply for unpaid medical leave instead.

Unexpected Job Termination

  • Resignation Confusion:
    • Received notice of "voluntary resignation," which was not initiated by the speaker.
    • Tried to apply for unpaid medical leave but received no response.
  • Company Policy:
    • Queried why unpaid vacation time couldn’t be used (option was available due to seasonal slow period).

Personal Struggles

  • Eviction and Homelessness:
    • Evicted due to lack of income.
    • Spent a week in a homeless shelter, then evicted again after an altercation.
  • Temporary Help:
    • Father, a tech specialist, provided short-term motel stay.
    • Father now ill and unable to continue financial support.

Medical and Legal Struggles

  • Health and Disability:
    • Applied for disability, which was denied.
    • Leg not properly healed; unable to walk properly.
    • Applied for Medicaid but needs income urgently.
  • Potential Legal Action:
    • Attempted to seek legal action against Patagonia; no success in finding a lawyer.
    • Appeal in disability case could take years.

Current Situation and Appeal for Help

  • Immediate Needs:
    • Facing homelessness as motel support ends.
    • No resources like a sleeping bag or tent.
    • Cold weather in Reno is a concern.
  • Seeking Suggestions:
    • Open to any advice or suggestions from the public.
    • Lacks computer access, impacting ability to apply for jobs, especially remote work.

Conclusion

  • The speaker is in dire need of assistance and open to suggestions to navigate their current hardship.