What Does Economic Struggle Look Like?
4663 stories and counting. Share the next one. What does economic struggle look like?
I live in an apartment building for 55 and older. I know several people including my husband and I, that is living below $22,000 a year.
Sandra Owensboro, KY
Some are working to make ends meet and if there is going to be jobs done away, then they will be on the streets, Literally! Sandy in KYMy name is Amy I have been on disabilaty for 2 years now. I have been disabled most my life but I worked up until 2 years ago. I have learning problems as you will be able to tell as you read this email. I have bipolar, bordorline personality disorder and depretion. I have been in and out of the hospitals since I was just a little girl. I also have major fisical disabilatys that is the reson Im fully disabled now. My neck and back have been damaged from abuse as a chiled and now it has cought up to me. Im in a grate deal of pain every day and have chosen for my own good just to live with the pain without narcodicks.
Amy Leavenworth, KS
The main reson Im emailing you is because Im not alone when the budjet cuts hit us, there are manny mentaly ill and disabled pepole hear in leavenworth and all threw out Kansas. From years and years of therapy I have finaly found hope and for the first time starting to feil almost normal. If it wasnt for the groups I attended I would still be lost and out of control in and out of the hospitals. I have not been in a hospital for a little more than 2 years now and thats realy good considaring Im in there one to two times a year. This program is a verry important for allot of people with the cuts this program will barrly run any more and allot of people need this program 5 days a week just to keep moving just to get out of bed in the morning just to see a little ray of hope in there harts. Allot of programs like this are going to suffer gratly and I for one do not want to sit back and let it happen. Many disabled people I have hear in Leavenworth just want to know what we can do to try and stop it. My only problem is I dont know who to contact to help me get a bigger movment together. I need some help pointing me in the right direction. Can you help us?I am 83 years old. My husband died last year. Social Security is my only income. My savings are almost gone. Thank God the mortgage is all paid on my home. My roof needs repair, but I can't afford to get it fixed. This year, I was able to get energy assistance from the Missoula HRC, but I understand that Congress has cut the program. I guess I will need a lot of sweaters next winter.
Claire Missoula, MTMy mother's medical bills have gotten out of control since she fell six months ago. She didn't break any bones, but for some reason, her health has really gone downhill since then. She can't drive anymore, so doctor's appointments are hard to get to, and her friends in a nearby town suddenly feel a lot farther away. Knowing her health and her social life were taken from her all at once makes me feel guilty when I worry about the money...
Jayne Washingon, DCI will be 59 in May. I do not have a job, and cannot find one. I live in Public Housing, and am too young for social security. I never thought in a million years I would reach the point of worrying about having food to eat. Something has to change. The SCSEP Program is full in this county, and I am on the waiting list to work as a volunteer.
Denise Waconia, MN
Now they are trying to cut that too. This is not just happening to 65+ the entire baby boomer generation has been hit hard and loosing whatever they had at 55+ on. Something must be done, to insure that the health and safety of seniors is a priority. We have all worked hard all of our lives and now have absolutely nothing to show for it. If more cuts are in the making I don't know how I will eat.I always thought you had to be really poor to go hungry. I see my elderly neighbor struggle to pay for food and rent. No one should have to live like that.
Denise Waconia, MNIn San Francisco, 32% of our senior citizens are living below poverty level in own their own homes. After health care, groceries, transportation, and other necessities, there is very little left over to spend on fixing their homes. More and more people are placed in the position of choosing between vital necessities over essential home repairs and modifications. For seniors, the consequences of postponing these repairs are serious.
Karen San Francisco, CA
Rebuilding Together San Francisco provides critical home repairs and fall prevention services for over 200 low income seniors in San Francisco each year. Through our programs, skilled volunteers and staff work to prevent falls and improve the quality of life for people who—due to age, financial limitations, or disability—cannot do the repairs or renovations necessary to keep them safe and healthy in their homes. These home repairs and safety modifications are provided at no cost to the homeowner.My mother-in-law has multiple health problems and she lives alone. The doctor just told her she can no longer drive. How will she get to her doctor's appointments?
Jean Gambrills, MDI work for Catholic Charities in upstate South Carolina as the Senior Care Coordinator. Every day I visit and talk to seniors who struggle to make ends meet and often don't have enough money to pay for all their needs...shelter, food, medicine. It's heartbreaking to see people who have worked so hard their whole lives and have given so much of themselves to their communities, families, and their country who now are often forgotten and lonely and go without so many of the basic needs. We do what we can here, but too often, it's just not enough. They need and deserve more.
Stacey Greer, SCMy grandmother can no longer go for walks or take care of her garden because she can't afford the inhalers that help her breathe enough to be active. I visit as often as I can, because she's homebound and lonely. It's heartbreaking.
Susan Alexandria, VA