I really wish I knew the answer?

United States
January 15, 2010 11:00am CST
Why is is and please explain it to me why organizations such as Salvation Army and County Human Services who claim that they assist family's who have fallen on hard times, like mine to pay their electric bills and food assistance. I am not a beggar or a reject I try to find online work because I am not able to work outside the home right now.. Doctor's orders but that's a whole different story... My husband, a former Marine lost his career as a heavy equipment operator when he went in for a basic work physical and failed he was referred to a neorologist who diagnosed him with a form of MD and he is now collecting Social Security Disability but not a lot he was 32 when he was told he couldn't work again.. We have two daughters ages 9 and 10 our 9 year old has autism but continues to make progress in school, she is speaking in sentences now, sometimes she can be stubborn, like me..LOL our ten year old is so smart and that's not just Mom saying it... she is in the GATE program at school, Gate stands for "gifted and talented education or something like that) she loves school and it's easy for her, she plays violin and loves it, she just started this year and was playing a ton of Christmas songs over the holiday that she had taught herself.. great kids by everyone standards I'm sure.. I did good with raising them so far but it hurts me to see them suffer when we lose our power or our water or OMG the sewar.. that is not fun to clean up after they shut that off.. not a pretty sight.. We get food stamps each month in the amount of 160.00... I don't understand their calculations but there are times when we only have spoonfuls of peanut butter or ramen noodles for dinner.. I feel like such a failure in the providing for them department.. I don't like asking these agencies for help and then to get shot down, each and every time is so heart wrenching and painful for me... We shouldn't be worried about when we will eat good again or losing the heat.. especially not the girls.. they are good girls and deserve to have a "normal" childhood with normal young girl worries..instead of this.. Thanks for reading my rantings.. :) KIM
2 responses
Bellerophon
@Bellerophon (539)
• United States
15 Jan 10
I wish I had an answer for you, but at least I can relate to a certain degree. I was dx'd with multiple sclerosis back in 1990 and told I could never work again. How bad is you husbands MD? Is it progressive? or in remission? Back in the 90's social security sent me to a place called V.E.S.I.D vocational educational service's for individuals with disabilities. If your husband is able to do anything at all try and see if they are in your area. They will re-educate him into a job he can handle and they will pay for it. In the meantime If you would like some ideas for something you yourself can do to make a little extra, then PM me. Hope this helps.
kimandthatsit
@kimandthatsit (51)
• United States
26 Jan 10
Hi Bellerophon, Sorry I didn't answer you right away.. We have already gone down the Voc Rehab road.. He has not been able to get any help through them, they gave him an occupational exam - to test his hand skills and he didn't do too good.. So they weren't able to do a things.. we are still stranded over here.. Water got shut off yesterday and barely any food in the fridge... UGH.. somehow life goes on.. kim
wildcatsthree
@wildcatsthree (289)
• United States
26 Jan 10
Oh my goodness, you really have a lot on your plate. Having an child with autism is enough to handle by itself ( my niece is autistic so I have an idea what you're going through) but to also have your husband disabled and you not able to work outside the home is just to much. If your family doesn't qualify for aid I don't know who would. Aside from that, I haven't had any experience with all of this so I can't offer you any helpful suggestions, just my support. I'm glad another commenter was able to give you something to check into. God bless you and you will be in my prayers.