32 Year Old Multiply Disabled Single Mom Seeks Grant To Purchase Vehicle
by Mandy
I have three sisters and one brother. Most recently my children and I have been living with my sister and her family. I have been on disability for almost two years now. I was a former housekeeper and part-time hotel operator, of a small hotel in the North Woods of Wisconsin. I have suffered for most of my life with emotional and mental conditions such as, posttraumatic stress disorder, attention deficit disorder and manic depression with obsessive-compulsive tendencies. I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the past, and after five years of talk therapy I am still suffering from all of these conditions. As far as the physical disability goes I suffer from chronic pain and they tell me they are unsure exactly where I fall on the map of pain conditions. So they have put me under fibromyalgia. When this first started I had been working as a housekeeper for two and a half years, and off and on the years before, also doing housekeeping. In 2007 I had a lot of pain in my back, and in my legs. I noticed this some time ago, but chalked it up to being a mom and taking care of my kids. As a single mother I had to do a lot for them. I was going to the doctors all the time. After an MRI they told me I had degenerative bone disease. We all suffer from this from time to time; however, my case was as bad as a 65-year-old woman with the same condition. I also had, four herniated discs, and a fracture in the lumbar section of my back. My treatment was to have up to three or more sessions of pain shots in my back. Then follow that with a six-week course of physical therapy. Once done with that there wasn’t any other treatment for me. I went to a pain clinic on a regular basis only to be told there was no more they could do. Now two years later I am on disability and unable to return back to work. I cannot take pain medicine for my pain and I struggle daily to keep going. Being disabled has caused my kids and my family to deal with minimal input from me. I have to rely on them for much of my daily routines. I have a hard time getting in and out of bed. I cannot sit for long periods of time, nor stand for very long as well. When going to the store for more than my basic things I need someone with me. I can't walk long distance or through a store for too long without being in so much pain. If going to the store for more than a quick stop I have to use my cane. I cannot work anymore so there are no attempts there. I cannot play with my kids the way I used to. I am depressed much of my time due to my conditions. I have lost my partner of ten years due to the hardship of me depending on him for all financial security and co-parenting. I lost my previous car due to my inability to keep up on repairs. My children and I cannot live alone and reside wherever there is room. At this point it is with my sister in a three-bedroom home. I do not have access to other types of help due to my inability to work and for lack of credit. I need a car to continue my therapy and go to regular appointments for my children and myself. There are no other options for transportation for me here where I live. Public buses are not for me due to panic attacks, and anxiety issues. My sister works and is not always available to take me where my kids or I need to go. I don't think she should have to either. With my partner now gone, my burdens have gone to anyone who can help. When I was able to work I did housekeeping for private homes and for hotels/motels and other hotel duties. This work is the only kind of work I have experience in. I did not have much of a work history, as I was a high school dropout and a teen mother by the age of seventeen. While I was applying for SSI and Social Security I went back to school to get my GED. This took a long time as I had a learning difficulty in math. After taking the test three times I finally passed in 2009. A short time later I found out I was approved for the state SSI program. I was told my condition is not expected to improve. I have been living on my monthly amount of $1,150. I also have been receiving other types of help for food stamps and medical support for my children and myself. I have tried to collect child support; however the absent father has not paid. I feel I have exhausted all my options for further help or assistance. I am only now trying to get help with Government grants. I'm looking for help in obtaining a car. I cannot save money to do this, as my income is not enough to save for that and pay for all other bills, and basic needs. I have applied through my bank and was denied for lack of credit history. I'm looking for assistance in maintaining some sense of self-dependency, whether it comes from grants, loans or simply advice.
      Go to the Accessible.org Home page. 
|
