I hope you enjoyed reading my last blog, The List: Part 1. I have decided to split that blog up into 3 sections. The List: Part 2 will come out soon. However, I feel the need to blog about another topic that has been plaguing me.
Facebook status' are a dime a dozen. We all post about our lives, opinions, or about what is happening in the world. The one status that always gets my bones shaking is...."is
headed to work...thousands of do-nothing, unemployed, drug addicted,
unmarried, multi-children welfare recipients are counting on me to pay
their way!!"
Now this status has many different levels to it. First off, not everyone who is unemployed is on welfare. Second, not everyone who is unemployed is a drug addict. Not all drug addicts are on welfare. The majority of them are functioning, working, people. This status is the stereotype of what we think welfare recipients are. We have a preconceived notion that welfare recipients are no good, they don't want to work, they want to milk the government, etc... Don't get me wrong. There are some people out there that intend to make welfare a career, but then there are some that want to rise above the poverty level.
This day and age, the majority of people are one paycheck away from the welfare line. Most companies aren't giving raises due to the economic status of our country. Insurance rates keep rising, food cost, taxes, etc... I know people who said they make less money now even though they received a raise than 5-10 years ago. It is hard to save money as well. With all the expenses one has, especially a family of four, putting back money is almost impossible. Most of us are living paycheck to paycheck.
When I was working that was the case. I got laid off from work in 2011. I am surprised I didn't get cut before then. I had a lot of health problems that kept me from going into work regularly. In high school I always got the perfect attendance awards. College, I even received special recognition for my ability to always show up to class. I am a stickler for being on time. Due to my personal situation with Michael and my declining health, my job suffered tremendously. When I did go to work, I kept a heating pad at my desk for a couple of my health issues and made sure I did breathing exercises as well. I would constantly have panic attacks at my desk that would make me freak out. There were a few times I almost went into a co-workers office and said take me to the mental hospital right now. Between everything I was going through, I was definitely having a nervous breakdown. So when I got laid off with 50+ other employees, I was actually relieved.
I needed a break like no other. I did nothing, but sleep my life away. I was so drained that I just couldn't get out of bed. My body took on stress after stress that it literally said you gotta stop!!!!! Unfortunately, the only stress I left behind was work, which the work itself was not stressful. My home life was 10x more stressful than anything. I continued to take on that for many different reasons. It's hard to leave someone when they constantly tell you don't leave me or I will die. Please don't go, because you are the only thing that brightens my day. Your emotions and your mind are all scattered and you don't really know what to do. What if that person dies? Would you feel guilty for not staying? A million questions go through your mind. You think you know the answer to them, but until you are in that situation, you don't.
God knew exactly what he was doing for me. He knew I needed that extra time free from work to solely put my time and effort into Michael. I did exactly that. Michael finally passed and God knew that it was time to open new chapters of my life, which I am working on at the moment. I needed the time after Michael passed to grieve and continue to heal. Not only heal from Michael's passing, but my surgery that I had in October.
Now that I am on a path to recovery, I am ready to set sail to a new journey. However, that journey isn't looking so good at the moment. I didn't realize I would be 33 years old, unemployed, living at home with my parents, and a widow (as I call myself). Not the picture I had in my mind, but if it wasn't for my parents, I would be HOMELESS at the moment and STARVING!!!!
I can't work a job that requires any kind of physical activity or standing due to back problems. I have to have a sit down job. I've applied for hundreds at this point, since Michael's death in June. I've only been lucky to have a few interviews, but out of those I didn't get the position. I'm not picky on the job either. I am a college educated woman, but a college degree these days, excuse my language, doesn't mean shit.
Everyone is getting one. Not only that, but in times of struggle, people return to school hoping to better their lives, which is fantastic, but the jobs still aren't there when they graduate. The only thing left is a new pile of bills-student loans!!!!! I was receiving unemployment for sometime, but that has since deceased. My parents are stuck paying my bills. I have to have insurance due to my medical problems and doctors visits. That is the number one priority and next is car insurance of course. Medical bills from surgery are piling up. I am VERY thankful to them for helping me out. If it wasn't for them, I would literally be couch surfing at friend's or family member's houses.
Since I am not on unemployment anymore, I am not counted in the unemployment "rate." When they say unemployed is 7.9%, well, technically it is higher. Folks like me that don't have a job and aren't receiving unemployment benefits are lost out in space. I'm sure there are quite a few people in this world just like me.
What do we do? I'm going back to school in the fall like everyone else does in a time like this as I explained above. However, it is in a field that has lots of potential and working environments. The opportunities maybe or may not be in my hometown, but I am willing to move. Not everyone can just pick their family up and move. I am in a position where I am able to do so.
So, when you or someone else writes a status bashing people for being on welfare, just remember it could be you soon. I didn't ever think I would have to receive food stamps as an adult, but I did and I might have to again someday. Even though my parents are helping me out, they too have bills and obligations they must uphold. I can't count on them for everything.
I'm not expecting a free ride throughout life. I have goals and aspirations that I want to complete and making my own money is one of them.
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