54 Year Old Disabled Woman Seeks Grant Money To Help Live American Dream

by Jeri
(Conway, Arizona, USA)

My name is Jeri. I live in Conway, Arizona, but grew up in Kentucky. I was disabled at age 22.

I met and married an Army man, my first dream. We went on to have four children, dream two. But there was a nightmare side to the two dreams.

The first nightmare was that all four children had some kind of disabling handicap. The second nightmare was when the Army told my husband to divorce me or get out of the army. He got out.

By the time my last baby was born, my disability and the children's handicaps kept me from working. Although we did not know it at the time my husband started to show signs of severe PTSD.

That is when the times of living apart started. We had to, not only for safety, but also for survival.

Now at age 54, I am disabled, but I want to try and go back to school.

My disabilities are: no balance center, almost deaf, severe stomach problems, uncontrollable thyroid levels and more.

My husband is trying to find work but because of a 90% hearing loss, high blood pressure, and the PTSD (all caused by military service) he gets about half enough to live on, but cannot find anyone to hire him.

My handicapped 20 year old has hearing aides, takes medicine and is trying to go to college part time.

My handicapped 18 year old is working part time, has hearing aides and trying to do without medicine.

Nichole is the one my heart breaks for. She has been through hell, is disabled and can get absolutely no help in this state of Arkansas. She is bipolar, has BPD, panic attacks and a disease of her back, so I take care of her.

My last dream come true may be my 24-year-old son, who is married, has a good job and two beautiful children, although the doctors say the five-month old needs cranial surgery and her face reshaped.

The end of my story is this. Because of wrong communication, a woman named Mary Boyd from our local HUD office cut off all housing for me.

Now we all face being homeless as well as coping with disabilities, yet willing to do what it takes to improve our own lot.

We just need enough of a grant to get us through so we will not lose our car or be homeless, until we can find a way to help ourselves.

You see, I still believe in America, her people and the Dream! Thank you. Jeri

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