[carver]

Originally Posted by herohog

We went from "Comfortable" (just under 100k/year combined income) to "All but homeless" over night December 17, 2009. I became disabled and we lost our home, SUV and everything we could sell. Our only income was the pittance my wife made as a Nanny and the whopping 10% disability I was drawing from the VA as an E4 ($123/month).

After a year and several months, we have my VA disability increased to 20% and we FINALLY got Social Security Disability at 100% which, along with what my wife makes at $10/hour sitting with the elderly/ill is JUST enough to live on but there is NO slack and we aren't saving a dime and our saving account is at a whopping $10.02.

In the time it took to get my Social Security, we lived with whoever could put us up. For several months that included living in a storage area with no windows, no A/C and the only heat was provided by tiny electric space heaters. We used a portable toilet as well and had no bathtub but did have a shower.

If it weren't for the VA, I wouldn't be here. They provide my meds and all of my health care which is significant. Back when I was employed and had good insurance, I was spending better than $15,000 a year out of pocket on myself alone.

I know poor. I know how bad our healthcare system is. I know how corrupt our government is. I know how people cheat "the system" and live well where an honest guy like myself is left to starve and rot for following the rules...

About the same story here herohog. I grew up on welfare, I do know what poor is, but I never saw myself as poor. I've lost everything I owned several times, and had to dig deep, and start over. It ain't always easy, but it is what any self respecting person would do.