Let me tell you about my life in the Spring of 2011.. I was going to school full time, I also worked two jobs, one as a hair stylist, a job that usually doesnt offer insurance, and a minimum wage job; where I helped people with disabilities. I am not going to paint a picture that I was perfect, I called in some days, I personally dont love working, (who does) and I dont know how many times I slept thru class. I was too old to still be on my parents insurance, and frankly I couldnt afford it anyways and didnt see the need for it, as many people my age would agree. This however is not really anyone's business but I was taking preventive measures to not become a parent, which I paid for myself.
On July 6, 2012 I found out I was pregnant, and exactly two weeks later I became so sick. I spent two weeks doing nothing but throwing up, and in that two week period I lost twenty pounds. I didnt dare go to the hospital because I knew I couldnt afford it. Finally I had no other option and had to be taken to the ER; that one ER visit maxed out my credit card. I didn't get any financial help from the father while I was pregnant and worked as much as could with how sick I had become
Later my sister helped me apply for Medicaid and WIC. Yes, that means that technically while I was pregnant I got government assistance. I remember when I first had to go to a WIC appointment I was so embarrassed and I showed up with a smug Superior attitude, thinking that I was so much better than all of the people that were going to be there..things have drastically changed. WIC, if you are unaware, is a program for Women Infants and Children for nutrition and helps provide healthy foods such as milk, eggs and veggies and formula to infants. My pregnancy, as most are aware was a really tough one and when I was nine months pregnant at a drs appointment I found out that my body fat was barely at 6% (extremely unhealthy)... thus one the reasons Boston became a formula baby, I was not healthy enough. Without WIC I do not know how I would have been able to feed my baby.
Medicaid helped so much with all of my medical bills and while I am no longer on it, my baby is. I have been going months without receiving child support, and barely being able to pay for the necessities for a newborn and myself. I even went back to work weeks before I was physically approved by my Dr to do so. My parents have helped me out financially more than I deserve, but they by no means are the most wealthy people, but are people who are very good at watching the money they earn.
So the main point of this post was because lately all over facebook I see many people post how useless and lazy people people who have had to receive help are.. they need to get a job, or how all of them are drug addicts, or how they completely abuse the system...And "that girl with the really nice phone and the cute clothes why does her child have medicaid?'' Maybe she had the phone before she was down on her luck, and the clothes are most likely old, too. ... And maybe before everyone is so quick to judge these people they need to realize that they didnt want the situation they are in and that they are working as hard as they can to get out of it. Its true, my hair is usually colored and done, which I do myself, also, Boston usually has cute clothes, but lets be realistic, the huge majority are gifts or hand me downs. I am also, constanly borrowing clothes from my friends; the cute cardigan I wore in the pictures I had on in the recent photo shoot of mine and Bostons was lent to me from a friend... you learn to make do with what you have.
So there is my ugly story. You are welcome to judge, You are welcome to question things, but the bottom line I am trying to make is, yes, I have had to have help, I do have a job, I am not addicted to any type of drug and I dont abuse the system. Yes, this was an extremely humbling thing for me to write.. but I felt like I needed to... because there are many people out there just like me... Who have had to use a lifeline and are getting judged harshly for having had to do so.
Hebrews 13:16
"
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
Ashlynn - I so loved reading this. There are many people in our own little corner of the world that have been down on their luck at time or another and have used public assistance. Some of those people are the same ones that I see posting those judgmental comments. The hypocrisy of it all makes me crazy. There are some who take advantage of the system, but I truly believe most people would much rather do for themselves then go through the judgment and humiliation that fall upon them while getting help. I commend you for speaking up. Paying taxes isn't fun for anyone, but when I send in my check, I am glad to know that there are honest, hard working people like you that are helped through those programs that our country provides. Yeah for speaking up and being brave! *sorry so long... Kayla
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