{"id":608,"date":"2009-02-03T09:27:28","date_gmt":"2009-02-03T13:27:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reflectionsfromacountrygirl.com\/?p=608"},"modified":"2009-02-03T09:27:43","modified_gmt":"2009-02-03T13:27:43","slug":"down-and-out-in-south-carolina-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reflectionsfromacountrygirl.com\/?p=608","title":{"rendered":"Down and Out in South Carolina – Part 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

He didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t drive a car. He couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t afford gas or upkeep for one. For the past eight years he rode a bike back and forth to the few places he needed to go.\u00c2\u00a0 Friends drove him when he needed to get food from the grocery.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, he had recovered \u00e2\u20ac\u0153completely\u00e2\u20ac\u009d except for an apparent equilibrium problem that might go away as time goes on.\u00c2\u00a0 He was encouraged.\u00c2\u00a0 He thought he would be able to find work somewhere…hopefully with one of the guys that drove. \u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

There were a few days over the next two months when someone needed things done in their home.\u00c2\u00a0 A few dollars here, a few dollars there.\u00c2\u00a0 Not much.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Things seemed to be drying up on the construction front.\u00c2\u00a0 Friends were getting laid off from their fulltime building jobs.\u00c2\u00a0 He heard there was a recession.\u00c2\u00a0 Surely, however, there would be enough work to make ends meet – to pay the rent at the place he was staying with a friend – to buy food. \u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

As time moved on after his recovery from a stroke and a coma, he knew he was going to be ok.\u00c2\u00a0 He could use a hammer.\u00c2\u00a0 He could work.\u00c2\u00a0 He adapted to his equilibrium issue and was sure he could work enough to make a living.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

One day not long ago he realized things were not going to pick up quickly enough. He could not find anything to tide him over or give him any income at all.\u00c2\u00a0 He began to get depressed.\u00c2\u00a0 He began to drink when he could bum a beer or two off a friend who did have work.\u00c2\u00a0 The rent continued to be unpaid.\u00c2\u00a0 It was well over $3,000 he owed now.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

His friend he rented the room from was having hard times financially as well.\u00c2\u00a0 He started pressuring him for any funds he could give him.\u00c2\u00a0 After all, the electricity was going to be cut off on Friday next week.\u00c2\u00a0 He owed $140 just to keep the electricity on and he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have it.\u00c2\u00a0 They were going to have to do something. \u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Jerry called me and asked if I could help him apply for food stamps and find a place to live.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I swore I would NEVER apply for welfare.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 I hate the thought of doing this but I really don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have much of a choice otherwise. If I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do something I will be homeless and I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bear to do that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he continued.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I am worried about not having money for my medicines or rent and I am blinded with a catarac in my left eye.\u00c2\u00a0 I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t afford to pay a doctor for that surgery and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s becoming so bad I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see out of it. If it happens in the other eye I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t work. Can you help me with this stuff.\u00c2\u00a0 I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know what to do or where to go to do it. I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stand the thought of this happening but I need some kind of help. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know where to start.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

I drove down and for two 11 hour days we visited every place I thought he might need to apply. \u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

The first place we went was to get a birth certificate from the health department. He had lost that and his social security card when his wallet went overboard while he was fishing with a friend years ago.\u00c2\u00a0 He never thought to apply for another one.\u00c2\u00a0 I was sure he would need both.\u00c2\u00a0 The birth certificate took little time. The staff was very cordial and helpful. \u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

We then went to Department of Social Services to apply for emergency foodstamps.\u00c2\u00a0 The large waiting room was packed with families and individuals in need.\u00c2\u00a0 The four staff behind the desk were straightfaced and unfriendly…almost emotionless robots asking with a blank look on their faces what can I help you with.\u00c2\u00a0 There was lots of quiet talk between them but no information about what you might need to have with you in order to be totally prepared to talk with a caseworker. \u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

No smile.\u00c2\u00a0 No welcome.\u00c2\u00a0 Little eye contact.\u00c2\u00a0 No enocuragement or compassion for what the people were going through.\u00c2\u00a0 Just a job that needed to be done with people they really didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seem to care the least about.\u00c2\u00a0 It was a depressing atmosphere and very quite.\u00c2\u00a0 You could have heard a pin drop.\u00c2\u00a0 It appeared no one wanted to be there…even the staff.\u00c2\u00a0 When I asked a question, they replied with yes mam. \u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

I was the only one I heard them say mam or sir to while while we were there.\u00c2\u00a0 When I looked the staff member in the face as I talked there was a blank stare during our entire encounter. My questions were not welcome and it was obvious I made her feel uncomfortable. \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Jerry completed the papers and we waited. \u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

After four and one half hours in the waiting area, he was escorted to a caseworker.\u00c2\u00a0 Within five minutes he was out after being told he did not have all the papers he needed.\u00c2\u00a0 He was to come back at 7:15 tomorrow morning with those papers and get back in the line.\u00c2\u00a0 He would not be able to get emergency foodstamps.\u00c2\u00a0 After all, she said, they had 30 days to process the paperwork and it would likely take that long. \u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I hate this.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d rather be working. I just can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t find anything.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

As I hugged him on the way out I said \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I understand, Jerry, that this is humiliating.\u00c2\u00a0 But remember, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve paid our taxes for years just so programs like this can exist for those who need them.\u00c2\u00a0 When you were working, you paid these taxes and you have a right to use these services now when you need them.\u00c2\u00a0 It is YOUR RIGHT to be here and to be treated with dignity and respect. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let the environment and circumstances get you down.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll hang in there with you.\u00c2\u00a0 We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll get this worked out.\u00c2\u00a0 Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t give up and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let any atttitude or long line keep you from doing what you need to do to take care of yourself.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go get some lunch.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We can make a plan of where to go next.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a very long line at the restuarant we chose.\u00c2\u00a0 We both smiled as we shook our heads.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not waiting in another long line. Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go somewhere else.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I said. \u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

join me next time…<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

My wish for you today<\/strong> is that you never find yourself in this position. \u00c2\u00a0If you do, remember, we all pay for these services. \u00c2\u00a0People deserve them when they need them. Expect to be treated with respect and dignity if you find yourself in this position one day. \u00c2\u00a0But by the grace of God any of us could be here.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

~ Joellen<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

He didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t drive a car. He couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t afford gas or upkeep for one. For the past eight years he rode a bike back and forth to the few places he needed to go.\u00c2\u00a0 Friends drove him when he needed to get food from the grocery.\u00c2\u00a0 Now, he had recovered \u00e2\u20ac\u0153completely\u00e2\u20ac\u009d except for an apparent equilibrium […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,50],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-608","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-life-events","category-personal-challenges"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reflectionsfromacountrygirl.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/608","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reflectionsfromacountrygirl.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reflectionsfromacountrygirl.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reflectionsfromacountrygirl.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reflectionsfromacountrygirl.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=608"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/reflectionsfromacountrygirl.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/608\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reflectionsfromacountrygirl.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=608"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reflectionsfromacountrygirl.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=608"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reflectionsfromacountrygirl.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=608"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}