What Does Economic Struggle Look Like?
4663 stories and counting. Share the next one. What does economic struggle look like?
My father lost his job almost two years ago, and despite his best efforts, he's been unable to find work. My parents have had to spend down a lot of their savings, but what's even worse is the toll this experience is taking on their marriage.
Emily Washington, DC
Please don't forget that economic struggle isn't just about money. It can destroy someone's self-worth and damage valuable relationships. As the economy improves, I'm pretty sure my parents will find a way to get their finances back on track, but I'm not sure they'll be doing it together.I see seniors who struggle to pay for their health care and medicinces along with keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table. We need to make a reasonable quality of life possible for those who have worked all their lives and are now retired.
Mary Cincinnati, OHI receive disability and am just barely making it. The upside, I am finding alternative ways to make do.
Helen Fairview, NCI need new glasses, but cannot afford them, so must go without until I can somehow manage to save up enough money. I plan on using the same frames that I already have to save on costs. Every thing I need to buy costs more now than it did the last time. I am eating less and do not drive more often than once a week. We do not have mass transit on the weekends, so must drive on the weekends.
Judith Salem, ORI have worked hard my whole life. Now at age 64 I am disabled and have only basic medicare health insurance. I can't find a Dr. that accepts that. I can't afford my medications.
Cassandra Pahoa, HII have to make tough choices between food and medicine. I'm diabetic so I must eat the right kinds of food but if I do I can't afford my medicine which I must have to live. I have Medicare part D but can't always afford co-pay. I only get $694 a month to live on. Could YOU live on $694 a month?
Linda Fort Worth, TXI have struggles evey month to pay my bills and nothing left for anything. I really can't afford any health care or medicines.
Sharon Independence, KYI have several senior friends who are just barely making it on their retirement/or SS incomes... I wish they did not have to worry about every dime.
Jennie Paradise, CAI have not been able to find a job in the past two years because of the economy.
Kimberly Middle River, MDMy sister was electrocuted when she was 64 years old. Her son quit his job so he could stay home and care for her. She lost both of her legs from being burned so badly. She wasn't offered any help from the hospital or any other agency as to how she would be able to live and pay for the medical bills she now faced. She eventually got some temporary prosthesis but now her stumps have shrunk and those no longer fit her. She can't get the permanent ones until she pays for the temporary ones. She has been forced to go back to a wheelchair. She gets her check from social security every month, but still has to choose between buying meds or paying her utilities or her mortgage payment every month. So she is always behind on her bills and never, ever gets anything extra for herself. Her house is needing soooo much work. I'm surprised the walls haven't fallen in on her. There are some angencies that have helped her because I raised so much stink until they did, but she is still below poverty level and shouldn't have to live the way she does just because she had an awful accident that wasn't her fault. This is America. Where is our pride, our respect, our gratefulness ??? Why should these senior citizens have to live this way after they have given so much to their country, state, county, and city governments??? Aren't these the people we should be honoring, not rejecting?? And refusing help ???
Wanda
Jacksonville, TX