[Machshefa]

For many the difference between security and homelessness is just one paycheck. Here is the story of one couple.

Last September Donna worked at Sam’s Club. She and her companion of 35 years rented a house on Violet Street. During a checkup she was diagnosed with stage three cancer and was forced to stop working. A year ago Donna lost her Mother to the same disease.

Months passed waiting for disability checks that never arrived. The focus was fighting the cancer. First the rounds of chemo and their side effects. Later loss of weight and hair. Weight dropped down to 85 lbs.

The landlord was asked for a lease. With a lease or eviction an agency might help. The landlord filed the eviction. After the hearing the majority of the $3400 judgment was paid. Donna went through a double mastectomy. The operation went well. Hope was resurrected and on Monday radiation treatments began. The rest of the judgment was paid.

Unfortunately the landlord contacted the sheriff and even though the judgment was paid, all back rent caught up tomorrow morning the landlord will take her judgment and back rent and evict them. So much for compassion.

[Timgt5]

a very sad and too often occurance in life.

[bebop]

that is a very sad situation. I know someone just like that. very sad. my love to donna.

[I_WMD]

Hey Maschefa >>. 28 years eernmmmmm You going back to my childs life span >>. LOL >>.

She be like 33 years old . Thank you me friend >> and Saving time and helping ya out ?? No Prob ...

[Machshefa]

All of this actually happened - and to someone here in this forum.

Everything was true except the final part... a miracle happened either due to a Senator's intervention, pressure from friends and strangers -or just divine intervention but at the very last hour on the morning of the eviction there was a stay of execution.

After going through a night of Hell and black despair the landlord relented and even though the police came allowed them to stay.

Truly a miracle.

[Machshefa]

I'm very glad the stars were aligned or your personal angel intervened and the miracle came true.

Just don't think you and Donna, and the dogs and the cats would fit in my spare room!

[Machshefa]

It's sad that people don't get more support in our country.

In this case taxes were paid, and social security contributed for many decades. Yet when the time came to give back and support the system fell flat on its face.

Not too many people could manage to survive on nothing but the kindness of strangers for 6 months waiting for disability to kick in.

Luckily, a miracle happened and there was no eviction but living through that last dark night wasn't exactly good for someone fighting to recover from major surgery and facing radiation treatments.

[seeker1950]

Exactly...who wants to have to deal with eviction and homelessness while fighting a life-threatening illness?!!! I often think that I too am just one or two paychecks from homelessness, though I currently have a good job. Nevertheless, if I found myself unable to work, it wouldn't be long till I too would be in that position, as, I suspect is the case for the majority of people in this country. I pay my bills and then it's all gone, month to month.
Patty

[Machshefa]

Many years ago my brother-in law was having back pains. He had a job but it didn't include heath benefits. Being limited in income, he ended up going to a chiropracter who worked on his back.

A few weeks later he Kendall went into the bathroom at work and didn't come out. He was 30 years ago and had a massive coronary. He was dead on the spot.

This horrible tragedy made me more aware than ever of how having medical benefits are so needed by everyone. I'm convinced if he had gone to a doctor the heart blockage would have been detected.

With employers cutting back on benefits or hiring people as temp's so they don't have to pay any benefits at all, it makes it harder for people to get medical help. And if you get laid off it's hard enough to pay for food and rent without having to pay your own medical insurance premiums.

I wish there were some way to get good medical benefits for everyone. People shouldn't have to choose between eating and having health care.

[Machshefa]

Big Hugs Dearest!

You are always supporting other people, You need some hugs and support too.

My goodness 25-35 years....whatever...that's a lifetime. Hope you have another 35 years together.

[Machshefa]

It is sad, you are so right.

When I see homeless people on the streets I know that but for the grace of God, it could be me.

Now there are more families losing their homes and living in their cars. It is heartbreaking. If only some of the money being used to fight wars all over the world, could be just used for our own country it would be a blessing.

[nightbird]

write to your senators and let them know how you feel.

if enough people care, things can change.

it takes doing something ... like telling the politicians we have to take care of our neighbors inside this country ... and make laws that protect us all when we are ill ... and have lower rents and better paying jobs with benefits ... we need help right here at home.

we could start posting tel # or go to the websites of your local politicians in their d.c. offices, and write an email on the site. I've done it already. It's quite easy. They (most) want to hear from us and wish to know what we care deeply about and want to change, like health care, job wages, affordable housing, protection from eviction when illness strikes, or jobs are lost, etc.

peace,
nightbird