TBI Disabled College Student Seeks Government Grant Money For Housing

by Cathy
(Waco, TX, USA)

My disability story started in the summer of 1993 when I became disabled as the result of a car accident. I was 16. I am now 34.

The car wreck was not my fault, but I ended up paying for it. If I were to live I would be a bed-ridden vegetable for the rest of my life, so the doctors said.

From age 17 to 28, I lived at home with my parents. Soon after turning 28, I wanted to do something different.

I went to McLennan Community College to study to be a teacher's aide, just to find out no one's hiring teachers aides anymore.

Then I went to school to be a medical coder and biller, but could not type fast enough.

Now I'm going to TSTC and have completed one semester of horticulture. But, to go any further, I have to take algebra 0200 and I've already taken it three times.

At the age of 29, I got engaged to a farmer's boy. We've both been trying to complete school.

He started out in robotics, and then he changed over to golf course and landscape management.

The two-seater electric bike we ride to school has a back wheel we have to get fixed to ride.

We do not own a vehicle, but that's the least of our worries right now.

Right now I am struggling living off my $674 SSI check. I have to pay rent, bills, food, medication and doctor visits.

I thank God I have that to live off. I am currently living in an on-campus duplex.

I dream of owning this house right next to campus, but it is $157,000.

I pray that I will find a way to make it happen.