[NeighborsTrigger]

Two weekends in a row, some of my neighbors have complained to the local police department about my "making noise in my apartment." These same neighbors are the ones who abused me from 2002 to 2008. In 2008, I had a suicide attempt because of this. They would break into my apartment while I slept and proceed to haze me. One of these neighbors would abuse me while I was trying to take a shower. This same neighbor yanked my arm so severely behind my back while I was reaching there, that I have severe arthritis now due to the injury she inflicted back then. When I clean my apartment, my shoulder hurts to the point where I do cry out in this pain. Thus, the police call to my door. Last weekend, I was hospitalized with a major panic attack and what I believe to be angina because of the harassment they still protagonise me with. I also had a PTSD flashback while showering recently. I was shouting, crying, and evidently even made some "threatening" remarks. Once again the police were called. This time, I received a lease violation from the apartment management here for this incident. Despite explaining to the manager here that it was a PTSD flashback, she did not and refused to acknowledge it as a PTSD flashback. I have filed a case with the Disability Rights Network in my state. Because I told this manager I felt I was discriminated against, I have sent a letter of appeal to rescind this from my record. Currently, I am awaiting a meeting regarding this appeal. I don't really expect anything to change with the manager or the people who harassed me, and I expect all of this continue as it was before. It is difficult for me to move out because of financial constraints. My psychologists are away on other obligations for most of this month, so I haven't and will not see much of them anytime soon. My case manager can only do so much because of his schedule. So, here I sit, trying any means whatsoever to keep my cool and to keep sane through all of this.

[JennaCyde]

That is so traumatizing and I am so sorry you are going through this. I commend you for coming here to talk about it, it means you are stronger than you think. The whole system, from my knowledge, is completely absurd when it comes to cases like this. I can only advise to keep pushing forward for your rights, for your fellow peers who also fight the good fight, and for social justice. I believe in your will power to fight for your justice.

[QueenCopper]

Oh this is awful. I am very sorry this is happening. You are very strong and I hope that you continue to fight. (((Hugs)))

[NeighborsTrigger]

Thank you all for your empathy. I want to seek some sort of action about my past abuse, as well as setting things straight, through the Disability Rights Network of PA. They called me back today and told me they can only guide me as to what direction I can go to help myself. They denied having any lawyers or legal help at their office. I found this totally unacceptable. I have contacted an independant lawyer today. The consultation alone will cost a whopping $125. I live on SSDI, but am willing to forgo one of my bills (Comcast) in order to pay this lawyer. I probably won't be able to afford many, or any, of the future fees incurred if he were to handle this account, unless he can work on contingency. The pro bono services in my area are really not reliable, and they don't usually follow through with any of the claims they receive. At least that is what many people I know who have received services there say about them. Although, I am so desperate at this point, I left a message at their offices. I haven't heard back as of yet. It is tiring for me just to obtain the type of help and services I feel I need at this time. And, I know the pressures will become worse if any of these issues were to go to trial. But, you know what they say, "You have to die from something." At least, I will die trying, if it should come to that.

I'm sorry you were abused and are facing being kicked out of your apartment. In my country (Western Europe) you'd be in even more trouble: if a mental illness leads to you being in danger of being kicked out of your apartment, that's grounds to have you committed/sectioned/whatever you want to call it (being forced in a mental hospital/psych ward).

[NeighborsTrigger]

Originally Posted by Breadfish

I'm sorry you were abused and are facing being kicked out of your apartment. In my country (Western Europe) you'd be in even more trouble: if a mental illness leads to you being in danger of being kicked out of your apartment, that's grounds to have you committed/sectioned/whatever you want to call it (being forced in a mental hospital/psych ward).

Thank you for making me realize that many, many other people have it worse than I do here in the U.S. It puts my most assertive attitude in place. If I were to be evicted with no where to live, it would be up to my case managers and other mental health agencies to find me another place to live. I have known and met many homeless people in the town where I live, but with the help they receive, they eventually found a decent apartment. I used to facilitate mental health support groups; there I found many other people dealing with similar, and worse, situations than me. After these support groups, I always felt grateful about where I was mentally and physically in my life. It has been several years since I facilitated these groups, and I guess I have lost touch with the all the realities of the outside world. I regret to admit it, but I believe I have been pitying myself at the time. I am so sorry if I offended anyone out there by doing this.

Thank you, Breadfish, for this opportunity to see my, and everyone else's, situation in a more realistic, different light. I hope you stay safe and well. I will be thinking about you now and in the future. Let me know again how you are doing.