I have autism. I am not capable of maintaining my home, purchasing adequate groceries, cooking for myself, managing my finances, or navigating government services. Some of these things I can do a little of by myself, but not adequately or reliably.
Despite these challenges, I have no support system. No family doctor, no social worker, no family member to help me. No supports are available from the government. Local benevolent institutions offer services only in the form of day camps and other activities. Meal support options are offered only to the elderly.
If I want to have supports, I need to pay for them. And to pay for those services, I must work. I have a job, and I am very good at the technical side of what I do, but I am incapable of navigating the social aspects and am therefore constantly passed over for raises and hidden from view of customers. Because of my inability to identify the intentions of others, I am often exploited at work. Because of my lack of ability to manage my finances, I did not realize for a long time that I was not being paid for the overtime labour I was asked to perform.
Working reduces my ability to support myself in my basic needs, but I must do it in order to have a place to live and to pay for what meager supports I can afford. But I feel that the metaphorical battery is being drained marginally faster than it charges, and that I will imminently become unable to tolerate the conditions and will melt down at work, leading to the loss of my employment.
I am very tired. All I need is a supportive living arrangement wherein I can access meals when I am unable to make them for myself, and access to a sort of "embassy" that helps me navigate government services such as the medical and tax systems. When I read The Conquest Of Bread, I wept at the description of the communal kitchens. Such a thing would be life changing for me.
I have so much to give to the community, but all of it is stripped away by the efforts of existing under capitalism.