Home lost in Paridise
Donation protected
To my friends, new and old,
You have all heard about the horrendous fire which destroyed the city of Paradise. Like so many others I have lost everything and did not have rental insurance. Although many are making donations- those funds do not actually go to the victims but to large organizations such as the Red Cross. What most of us really need is actual money- for motels, for new housing, to replace household items, for medical and dental care.
I feel particularly hard hit by this tragedy as I was became permanently disabled earlier this year and am not able to work. Applying for SSDI is a lengthy process- it took 3 years during which time I was unable to work and had no income.
I was essentially homeless for those 3 years. I lived in motels-unable to obtain a rental, I camped in the Sierra two summers, I even went into a shelter for 6 weeks which was the worst 6 weeks of my life. Shelters are really not for people who are just having temporary difficulties but no time here...
I had a lot of difficulty finding a place even after I could show I had a steady income. The town of Paradise was a refuge for elderly and disabled people, a place where rent was affordable. Four of my eight neighbors where disabled.
I so much appreciated having a REAL HOME but it only lasted 5 months. And now I am back in a motel and even though it has roaches, no fridge or microwave it is still over 2,000 a month which is how much I receive from SSDI.
I am not looking to receive an inordinate sum, just some help, due to the housing expenses, having to replace everything I had owned and I also lost 2300.00 in dental work as the permanent crowns that were going to be placed a week later were lost when the dentist office burnt down.
I am fighting depression, both my mother and son developed severe disabling mental illness, so I feel am always fighting to keep my sanity. Receiving some help will reduce the stress. I get upset every time I have to buy something- which is every day- because just last week I had the item!
I would greatly appreciate some generosity right now. It makes one feel that others truly do understand and that one is not alone.
For those who can help, from the bottom of my heart--thank you, thank you, thank you
Patricia M.
You have all heard about the horrendous fire which destroyed the city of Paradise. Like so many others I have lost everything and did not have rental insurance. Although many are making donations- those funds do not actually go to the victims but to large organizations such as the Red Cross. What most of us really need is actual money- for motels, for new housing, to replace household items, for medical and dental care.
I feel particularly hard hit by this tragedy as I was became permanently disabled earlier this year and am not able to work. Applying for SSDI is a lengthy process- it took 3 years during which time I was unable to work and had no income.
I was essentially homeless for those 3 years. I lived in motels-unable to obtain a rental, I camped in the Sierra two summers, I even went into a shelter for 6 weeks which was the worst 6 weeks of my life. Shelters are really not for people who are just having temporary difficulties but no time here...
I had a lot of difficulty finding a place even after I could show I had a steady income. The town of Paradise was a refuge for elderly and disabled people, a place where rent was affordable. Four of my eight neighbors where disabled.
I so much appreciated having a REAL HOME but it only lasted 5 months. And now I am back in a motel and even though it has roaches, no fridge or microwave it is still over 2,000 a month which is how much I receive from SSDI.
I am not looking to receive an inordinate sum, just some help, due to the housing expenses, having to replace everything I had owned and I also lost 2300.00 in dental work as the permanent crowns that were going to be placed a week later were lost when the dentist office burnt down.
I am fighting depression, both my mother and son developed severe disabling mental illness, so I feel am always fighting to keep my sanity. Receiving some help will reduce the stress. I get upset every time I have to buy something- which is every day- because just last week I had the item!
I would greatly appreciate some generosity right now. It makes one feel that others truly do understand and that one is not alone.
For those who can help, from the bottom of my heart--thank you, thank you, thank you
Patricia M.
Organizer
Prajna Joy
Organizer
Redding, CA