Crohn's Disease Impacts Everything

Recently I had an interview with a job. It wasn’t my dream job or anything, but it was a source of income and would’ve helped greatly with the stack of medical bills piling up in my drawer. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve come a long way and I’m grateful for the health I have, but even that health costs money and it doesn’t come in abundance around here.

I spent a ton of time and money preparing for this interview, to be honest. The company offered me a position, but reality struck shortly after the offer did. The position offered no benefits. I’d be temporary / contract. I’ve gone through this battle before. The never-ending “income” battle with the government. It’s a battle I will never win and always end up penalized in the end.

Working full-time with Crohn's was exhausting

When I was working full-time, I was exhausted. Insurance was a constant and it felt like I was always in the office. I did this for almost 5 years and although benefits will always be a passion, it was extremely hard on my body.

I paid a lot of money for my company’s most comprehensive insurance plan, so although my out of pocket was low, my pockets still suffered due to premium costs ever two weeks. So on top of being sick and pretty broke, my body was feeling the 40 – 60+ hour work weeks. I paid for disability, I paid my taxes, I did what I needed to do, but it caused a lot of stress of me and my condition and ultimately, I am sure played a role in why I had to have surgery at such a young age.

Income and insurance premiums

Now, I am better. I do hope to work more, but I also don’t want to work a job that takes me out of remission. But that’s not the reason I had to turn it down. I chose to turn down the job because the pay rate was pretty low but still more than what I’ve made in the past year.

With the game of healthcare, anytime my income increases, so does my premium. Last time the government calculated a small bonus, my insurance premium more than quadrupled! I could not believe that it cost so much to simply be alive! When I calculated the pay of this job vs. my anticipated premium increase, unfortunately, I’d be working to simply pay premiums and gas. Which obviously makes no sense at all.

Crohn's impacts every life choice I make

It’s an unfortunate situation to be in. It’s unfortunate that people with chronic conditions are faced with ridiculous financial strains that healthy or “normal” people don’t have to worry about at all. I wish I could skip out on insurance or drug costs. I wish I could pick up a quick shift or job without worrying about how I will be punished for it in the future. I wish healthcare was affordable and that Crohn’s disease didn’t impact literally every life choice I make.