United States | News & Politics

Not to downplay the point of the article, but I personally know many people who needed GoFundMe for housing due to the hurricane that hit Western North Carolina. One of my best friends has one while also already having one for his cancer treatment because his insurance wouldn't cover it. He's been a teacher for 27 years, but I guess this treatment was too experimental (read: too high of a success rate.)

If you know anyone in WNC, don't forget about them. We're not okay. My wife and I saw an 85% nosedive in income during our busiest and most important time of the year. I'm grateful to have heat, walls and a roof, but I'm so so scared for winter. I'm just working as much as possible to keep us alive as we sink deeper debt. We have food assistance thanks to a wonderful nonprofit that we've always volunteered at and donated to every chance we can. We are also wealthier than many people, wealthier than most billionaires, because we have something money can't buy: genuine, authentic relationships. We have deep friendships. We're suffering and we need therapy, but we have shoulders to lean on. Nothing can replace that.