Hello to all - my name is Debbie and Im 54 years old, disabled and live in Southern California. For the past 3 years I have been dealing with debilitaing illnesses that have pretty much left me in crippling pain 24/7. I'm on SSDI and recently have had my check cut by $500 due to an overpayment that I have to pay back. My rent has recently been raised and I'm even on section 8. It doesn't matter that my check has been cut - the government goes by the gross before any deductions. After I pay my rent and only 1 utility bill my check is pretty much gone - I've had to borrow and borrow in order to survive. I've aoplied to every government program and have been turned down due to the fact they say I get too much money! I had to take a auto title loan out on my car a few months ago so I could survive. Stupidest thing I've ever done. I believe these types of places prey on desperate people who have no where else to turn. I did this before my SSDI check was cut. After my check was reduced, I could no longer keep up with the payments and my car was repossesed. On top of that, my 81 year old mother had lung cancer surgery, developed pneumonia and a staph infection and had to be put back in the hospital - she almost died. She became so ill and weak she had to be put into a nursing facility. That was 2 months ago. Now they are forcing her out as her insurance will no longer pay for the facility and want me to private-pay. I've applied to Medicaid for her but not sure if she'll be approved. In the meantime, she is being released in a week and I have to take care of her. With my illnesses I'm not sure if I have the mental, physical and emotional strength to do this but I don't see where I have a choice. Now I'm without a car. I desperately need a car to get her to doctor appointments, grocery store and to get myself to doctor appointments as well. She cannot travel on a bus or even in a dial-a-ride van offered through her city. And with my arthritis it is very difficult to walkor stand for very long. With my current financial situaiton I cannot afford to get another car or afford a car payment and my credit is very bad. Here in Southern California most programs for the elderly and disabled have been cut. I've tried to find help through Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. and have had no luckl Even their food banks are next to empty. If there is anyone out there who knows of anywhere I could get help from it would be such a blessing. it is just my mother and I now (both my brothers passed away last year). I have been beside myself with fear simply worrying about my mother - Ican't imagine life without her in it. A vehicle would not solve all my problems but would alleviate the worry of being able to get my mother around to all the doctors and treatments she is facing. Any suggestions, any websites, any help with finding assistance would be a godsend. I'm sorry this post is so long...... and I do want to thank you for having this website. I don't know how I came across it this evening but believe I was guided to it from a higher power. Bless you and thank you for listening.
Debbie
