Spirited And Spiritual Disabled Single Dad Seeks Grant Money For Better Life
by Mike
I'm 58 years old and have been receiving disability benefits since 2001. I have been distanced from my family since about 1988. My children's mother's family lives in this area, but don't communicate with any of us either. I have never, nor presently had any military status. My disability is Manic Depression, mainly due to a fractured skull injury I sustained at the end of 1983. Though that organic damage has diminished quite a bit, I had also sustained a hip and lower back injury while working a physical job at a large corporation in 2001. I slipped on a paper insert that was supposed to have been swept up. I flew up in the air, and landed essentially on my left hip. It was suggested by doctors that I get a hip replacement, which I have not gotten to this day. I also have arthritis in both hips. Unbeknownst to me, I have had diabetes since 2000 and neuropathy in both feet since 2002. I had also suffered a "silent" heart attack sometime in later 2006. I had to be admitted to a hospital for a routine angioplasty, but ended up with two stents in my heart. This procedure was performed because the main artery in the left ventricle of my heart was totally collapsed. Although I'm in better health than I was then, I can't walk without a cane and have to take multiple maintenance medications for my serotonin levels, manic depression, pain management (arthritis and lower back pain), diabetes, and for my heart (blood pressure, water pills, and strengthening my heart). I have been receiving Social Security benefits since October 1995. When I got physical and legal custody of my children in June 2006, I applied for and started receiving benefits for them as well. They were eligible only because I was already receiving my benefits. My benefits are just under $1,100 per month, and my children's benefits are under $190 per month each. We have very little money to spend on food. Our rent, water, garbage, and sewer payments were $699 and $42.25 respectively as of this month, July 2010. The rent increases to $755 in August, as well as water, etc., going up to as high as $55 per month. Our Food Stamps went from $172 per month to $120 per month, and are now $69 per month. Only my children qualify for Food Stamps... I do not! They say I make too much money! I also no longer qualify for Cash Aid of $394 per month, because I make too much money! Right now, I get the children's meds for free, but mine cost minimal funds - though those charges are creeping up. As a result I have had to use more of our "benefits" money to buy food - and those prices have been going up as well! I am fortunate to own a 1999 vehicle outright that is in pretty good shape, though it needs a new windshield, a new air conditioner pressure hose, and a new tire. But I have to use "benefit" money for those things and gas as well (money that I don't have!) - and gas prices keep going up as well! I had, in the past, tried to go back to work, but had not found decent paying work in fields that I excel in. The average job these days has at least seven people looking for it. My age is also a severe limitation on my getting hired at all, not to mention my physical limitations. The only thing I've been able to do is volunteer work helping less fortunate others navigate the different (sometimes redundant, many times "dead end") systems to get the help they need. I've helped 1,000s of people by mentoring them in resolving whatever issues they've had. The only "donations" I've received is from "food closets." The food I receive from them is not generally good for my diabetes, etc. Though I feel like I've been to hell and back several times, I maintain a spiritual basis that has pulled me through a lot. I also get tons of satisfaction from helping others out! My concerns have always primarily been for my children. I try to teach them positively about how to deal with life and people. As such, I'm seeking a grant, or grants totaling somewhere around $12,000 for the rest of this year. I'm also looking for free advice and guidance on how to receive grants, and any other benefits we'd be eligible for. Thanks for reading our story and may God bless you!!!
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