I was a healthy ER nurse helping save countless lives during the entirety of the COVID pandemic for my employer. Now I'm sitting outside begging my hospital employer for the 8th day straight to get the spinal surgery I need to survive, caused at least in majority by a work injury to my spine per my medical providers.

For 19 months, I've been trapped in the Oregon workers' comp system after injuring my back while moving a patient who couldn't breathe. I felt a pop, then shooting pain and weakness down my leg. Two MRIs confirm catastrophic disc collapse, and six specialists agree my injury was caused by my work as a nurse and requires immediate surgery.

Yet the system only recognizes a "strain/sprain" despite clear evidence. This bureaucratic nightmare has cost me everything—over $100,000 in lost wages, my retirement accounts, and bankruptcy. I still owe $60,000 in nursing school loans to my employer.

The constant, severe pain has driven me to clinical depression so severe I've been hospitalized twice for thoughts of self-harm. My surgeons warn that without immediate intervention, I face permanent damage as my window for successful surgery closes forever.

After dedicating 10 years to caring for Oregon patients— including having been required to lift tens of thousands of adult patients without any lift equipment available for years and serving on the front lines throughout COVID—I'm now literally on the street fighting for my life.

Please visit helpreid.com to send one simple email to five legislators/decision-makers who can help get me the surgery I need to survive. Donations toward surgery also incredibly appreciated but not expected <3

#Oregon #workinjury #healthcareworkers #nurse #nursing #registerednurse #rn #WorkersRights #FightForJustice