My wife and I get $214 a month on Washington state disability (GAU). But I’ve had worse!
When I was on Social Security and SSDI for much of my younger life–about 19…20–my maximum amount in the early 1990s was $385 and $425 a month.
I stayed on $525 for 5 or 6 years, before government allotments and some number-crunching finally brought it up to $642 in the early 2000s and was at $741 before the government cut me off, stating: “Because you can work and write a book, then you’re cured of your cerebral palsy and other health maladies.”
Yeah, well…if I was cured, why do I now have Factor Five Leiden and Recurrent Calcium Stone Disease on top of everything else? (The former is a life-threatening blood-clotting disorder that can kill me without proper medical treatment within a few weeks time–because it’s a malfunction in my clotting factor; where my blood spontaneously clots for no apparent reason–the other is where my body constantly manufactures kidney stones through excess calcium in my body due to a Vitamin D deficiency problem I was diagnosed only a few months ago. I’ve had four rounds of laser lithotripsy and shock-wave treatments to break up the stones–because passing stones (for a GUY) is the closest thing to giving birth you can ever possibly imagine!)
The government doesn’t care if I’m healthy or not, or on death’s doorstep–which I am pretty much putting one foot in and one foot out on a daily basis–all they want to know is if I can WORK.
And given my current condition? I could only last a maximum of 15 minutes at full strength before I’m too tired and exhausted to continue–because I’m taking 7 different types of medications: Coumadin for my FVL, Singulair for my asthma and allergy problems, a nasal steroid spray for extra protection, Seroquel for my depression, Lisinoprel for my BP problem, Vitamin D boosters for my deficiency problem, and 2 inhalers for my breathing–because I was born a preemie and have Highland Membrane Disease and mild emphysema; which is non-smoking related.
So I wouldn’t be of any use to any employer–especially with my bleeding issues. Would you hire someone whom could bleed profusely from either a modest cut or a small laceration–or get bruised or injured and still bleed regardless?
I know I wouldn’t–because that would put me and my company in the “neglectful lawsuit” category.
Nobody I know would want to pony up the dough for the damages I would ask or my wife–presuming I died prematurely in the process; because of my problems.
Y’know?
Most people don’t understand why or how people like me can survive on the income we get–the one I showed you.
After years of living on what I was given–? I learned to be on a tight-assed budget that would make a rich Republican crap his pants.
I can’t replace something that’s easily broken or worn out–like our two small DVD players for example (which finally gave up the ghost this past month)–I can’t go on a spending spree, I can’t buy decent clothes, I can’t afford a car, a house, or go to college.
If I want to save up for something, I’d have to save! And it would take me months!
When you live on what we get each month, the only thing you focus on is: Your portion of the rent, utilities, maybe an inexpensive dinner once in awhile, and bird food for your two parakeets.
Food–if you have anything left over–something to stretch until Food Stamp Day (which is the 8th for us every month), and then buy healthy when you can: Salads, fish, potatoes, anything that can stretch the food budget.
But we have been cutting back on junk food and sugars. Not enough to make us totally comatose, but just enough to satiate our inner child. :0)
My mother-in-law–whom is pretty well off (despite the debts she’s accrued)–can never figure out why we can’t save money.
I showed her the $339 we got last year–all of it!–and I said: “This is all we get. After storage and our mailbox…? We don’t have much left to save.”
These days…? We have less. But we keep hoping someday that things will get better.
I’m just hoping I can get my books published through my own imprint and make enough for us to live off of: Something more than $500 a month.
I wouldn’t mind $1000–if I could wing it. ;0)
But I’m not looking to “be rich”. Given the vulgarities of the publishing world…?
My chances would be roughly 1 in 2.13 million odds of being successful.
Reason why I’ve put so much time and effort into my work.
I only have one shot at this, so I might as well make it a good one!
