Shut Down

In the early 2000s, I was in my early 20s. I was a mother of a 2 year old little boy and had another baby on the way. I had recently left my job at the bank because my measly income wouldn't cover the cost of childcare for 2 children. My husband was the sole provider for our family as a construction worker when he became injured and unable to provide for our family. 

We immediately began working on a workers compensation claim, but these things take time and there would be a long legal battle ahead of us. 

And first he needed surgery - two surgeries, in fact - each with a 6 week recovery time. 

He was out of work for over 4 months.

During this time, I tried to get a job, but struggled. I assume it was because I was pregnant. Instead, I babysat friend’s kids, cleaned family members homes, and offered to do any kind of odd job I could to bring in some money. 

All of the bills were late. 

My credit cards were maxed out. 

A local church of a friend of mine delivered food to my front door. 

I had no other choice but to go to social services and ask for help. 

I was familiar with the system already because when I got pregnant and dropped out of college my father's health insurance would no longer cover me so the health department helped me to apply for government health insurance to ensure I had the prenatal care I needed. 

After the baby was born, the hospital helped me to apply for WIC (Women, Infant, and Children). This is a program that provides free coupons for specific items like formula, cereal, beans, cheese, and milk. It wasn't a lot, but I remember thinking that it was helpful. We would never go completely hungry.

With this recent blow to our income, we were eligable for food stamps and after spending weeks applying and interviewing for jobs (and providing documentation of such), I was able to receive TCA (Temporary Cash Assistance) to help pay our electric bill, car payment, and rent - preventing us from being evicted. 

Again, I was super grateful for every single penny and program they provided, but I'll be honest - it still wasn't enough.  

Because of this one moment in our lives when my husband was unable to work and I was unable to find work, we would stay impoverished and behind on our bills for several years. - ultimately leading to his truck (and means of transportation to work) getting repossessed, our family being evicted from our home, and a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy that would linger on our credit reports for a decade.

If you haven't figured it out yet - I have been one of the poorest of the poor. I have had the misfortune to have to rely on government assistance. 

Now, if you've met me in the past 10-15 years, this may be hard to believe. In my 30's I was blessed with opportunities to work, to provide, and to scramble out of our hole of debt. I've jumped a few tax brackets since then and now I pay taxes instead of getting full refunds. I know that I am blessed. 

But without the social services provided to me by my government, I don't know what my life would look like today. And there is nothing that anyone can say to convince me that removing benefits from the poorest of the poor is the right thing to do. 

Healthcare, housing, and food are basic human needs that no one should have to go without. It is our responsiblity to help those who need it. 

People call it "socialism" but we give those benefits to our military. Think about that. Why do we offer these "social programs" to our military and not every American citizen? I have a theory behidn that, but that's a different post for a different day. 

Today, I want someone to tell me I'm wrong. That taking care of those less fortunate is wrong. Tell me. Explain it to me. Help me understand why we will dish out billions of dollars to bail out huge corporations (or build a ballroom) but we cannot find enough money in our budget to help people who need a helping hand? 

Make it make sense. Because I personally just cannot fathom a reality where we watch children go hungry and mothers and fathers cry themselves to sleep at night with worry.