Grants And Benefits Needed For Brain Tumor Surgery Disabled Single Mom
by Marla Hughes
I am 44 years old and am very dedicated to my boys. I love spending as much time with them as I can, but I think Tyler is ready for mom to find something to do with her free time. I don't really mind that I am getting such a late start in life. I actually hope that my decision to go to college will rub off on Tyler and I even picked a career choice that I know will interest him My main disability has been severe memory loss due to having two separate brain surgeries to remove tumors. I also have seizures and have suffered since the surgeries from major depression and anxiety disorders. I was also diagnosed with having ADHD about seven years ago. In 2003 I was told that I needed brain surgery. I had only two days to prepare my family before the surgery. After the surgery I was left with severe memory loss, both long and short term. I became unable to comprehend anything or remember directions or even people from my past. I started having uncontrolled grand mal seizures on a daily basis and my headaches were getting worse. Four years later I was told that I had another brain tumor and that it was located inside of the brain this time. I survived the surgery but became a person I did not recognize and I didn't understand what was happening to me. I became a shut-in and avoided going out in public as much as possible for fear of getting lost or not knowing someone when they would approach me in a store. I was assigned a case manager about seven years ago to help me with shopping and organizational skills. I became so dependent on her that I was afraid to make a move without her by my side. I have been going to a pain specialist for several years now due to chronic pain that was diagnosed as nerve damage in the back of my head from the surgeries and have been in pain management for about two years. My home is complicated to some but to me it is things I have had to learn to do to stay as independent as possible. Things have to stay in certain places once I have put them there the first time. I know where all of my appointment cards are kept before I put them onto my calendar. My son accidentally knocked all of my cards and notes on the floor one day and when I went to look at them they were gone. I panicked and he had to get them off the floor and show me that he had them. I don't move my furniture around often because I don't like change. I have compared myself in ways to an Alzheimer's patient who cannot adapt to any type of changes. It has been difficult for my boys but they have been so sweet and never complain. I do not own a vehicle and haven't driven in years due to my disabilities and I have missed out on being able to do things and take my kids out over the years. I am on several different medications and have finally begun remembering to take them and at what times. I am financially in debt due to being on a fixed income and am over $2,000 behind in my rent payments. I am so blessed to have the landlady that I do. She has been very supportive and patient over the past years. My credit score is in very poor shape due to past medical bills and unpaid debts. I don't sleep well and am under so much financial stress that I lie awake at night worrying about my situation. I have tried for several years to make money online doing surveys for money. I am registered at over 30 sites and I have spent so many hours online doing surveys and not spending the precious time with my boys that I should have. I always explained to them that mommy is trying to earn some money and that we would start receiving our payments soon. To this day I have never received any payments for all of the work that I have done on so many websites. I am on SSI and have been for several years. I am on HUD and receive food stamps every month. I try so hard to make the money stretch and keep food in the house but it just isn't enough. We received a Christmas gift, which was a check for $175 from my church this year, and it was a great help. I am always searching for work-at-home opportunities and grant opportunities but it's just so hard when there are so many others in need of the same help. I am a full-time student and am currently taking an information technology course for web design. I want help with my student loan that I received before starting school. I did not understand until after I had signed the master promissory note what I had done and how it was going to add to my financial debt. I would also like to apply for financial help that will get me through my schooling. I don't know if there are grants to help get my bills caught up while I am in school but I have been looking everywhere. I could use some debt relief solutions and advice that won't cost me to receive. I know I sound so greedy and really I am not. I just want a chance to get caught up and be able to concentrate on my studies and my boys. When I am on my way to receiving my associate's degree I would like to start my own web design business with the help of professional advisors. I am very interested in how websites are actually brought to life and I want to learn everything I can about new programs and developer tools. I am planning on continuing my career with the next step being to receive my bachelor's degree.
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