Okay. Let me tell you a story. I got cut off assistance today. I make TOO much money. (I'm laughing and crying at the same time.) I have a degree. I have a grad certificate. But I am a single mom, with a shitty ex husband. I work my ass off, and I have a child with autism. I work for a non profit, and it means the world to me. I help families locate resources that they didn't know existed. I help them emotionally, and I will fight for them, with them, and reach out my hand in any way that I can. But God knows I don't do it to get rich, I do it because I was meant to. It gets in your blood and makes you passionate. I carry my cell phone at all times in case I am needed, I return emails within a day so a parent doesn't have to worry and wonder, and wait.
I will not get into the many reasons for my divorce last year, but lets just say I was a student while taking care of my home and family while he got a good job that I encouraged. I got about 4 hours of sleep at night, less during finals. When he decided a few rounds of court would be a good idea, my attorney bills climbing higher and higher, I had to get a job waiting tables on the only times I don't have my boys. That leaves no time for anything else. Stress relief, relationships, down time. I haven't been able to read a book (and I'm a hell of a fast reader) for book club, my treadmill is staring at me (although I do squeeze in a zumba class on saturday mornings), sex (lol), a clean house (yeah...okay). I know why people quit their jobs. Working hard is great, working yourself to death is not. I hand my fat roll of cash after a busy weekend to my attorney, keeping a little bit for coffee, or a matinee for the boys. Good for you Nicole. You aren't on any kind of assistance because you work so hard. Well...that's great. I have no health insurance. I just got food taken off the table for my children, so I can pay for my attorney because there is no help for that. Get a different job you say? No daycares to take my son with autism to. Don't you dare tell me you are voting for Mr. Romney tomorrow because you are pro-life. Or because anyone who "works hard" can build anything they want for themselves. If you were really pro LIFE, you would care about "quality of life" for families like mine. Go ahead and criticize me for being upset that I don't qualify for help, then come over for a few days and be me. Would you like to offer to start a daycare for special needs kids, work twice as hard, and get paid half the money? Didn't think so.
That's the truth!
ReplyDeleteFor those of us who want to go to work, where't the daycare?
Ben has been in a daycare where they thought they were helping him by secluding him.
In a room with kids 3-4 years younger, but on the same verbal skill range.
There is NO WHERE for quality care.
I saw an ad for holiday camp for special needs.
3 days 8:30-4:30.... $430.00... COME ON!!!!
Summer Camp? He hated the much celebrated camp in our area. They insisted he follow their program.
Now what? Who watches him this summer?
1:88.... where's the help?