It is a proven fact that people judge others. More importantly they judge based on the fear of the unknown.
I have noticed a lot of people complaining about how government money should be spent regarding food stamps and welfare benefits given. So here is my run down.
Close your eyes and image the woman standing in line in front of you at the grocery store. She is young mid 20's, dressed very fashionably, well groomed, manicured, eyebrows waxed, hair just dyed, and sporting all of her tattoos, large diamond engagement ring and a thick diamond wedding band on her left hand. Always laughing and smiling.
How did you picture her?
·A young wealthy woman?
·Or is she's married with few kids?
·Maybe a 20 something girl just trying to figure out life without her parents help?
Then see needs to purchase her items. She pulls out her EBT card along with her Direct Express card. That has her government assistance money loaded on it.
Now, what thoughts do you have? Do they change to something like this?
·"There is nothing wrong with her?"
·"How rude for a young person to take a handicap spot just for a shorter walk to the door"
·Or my all time favorite "I work for money what do you do? Nothing and just get money handed to you because you're to lazy to get a job."
★I would say by now you're irritated and shocked that YOU work hard for your money and can't eat as well as what she just bought and think there should be a limit as to what foods she should buy. You're angry right?
You will most likely never see that woman again. You'll go home and post something about her on social media and be done with it. Me however, being that I am that woman I mentioned above, will see "you" everywhere I go. Different faces, ages, races, and society standings but nevertheless it's same person.
I will always be judged, because the cover of my book is in mint condition. My pages are torn and tattered some are even missing. A lot of bloody and nasty chapters that no on would want to even read are things you can not see when you are judging me.
Cystic Fibrosis is an invisible disease however, what no one outside of the CF community understands is we are in need of government assistance in one form or another. I have not been able to hold down a job due to my health getting worse, since I was 23. I am now 27 years old. Mind you I worked from the age of 15 and at times held multiple jobs and college classes. I loved working and earning a living being completely independent. So trust me I am not happy using government assistance. However, without it I would literally be homeless, naked, and most likely dead!
I have one medication that keeps me alive daily that costs over $5,000 per bottle alone. That is just ONE out of the 30+ pills I need to survive. Along with rent, food, and bills. I am not sure where any of those judging me work but I can almost guarantee that you wouldn't be able to afford all of that at your job without some type of assistance! I also know that insurance from any job in WV will not cover my medical 100%. Not to mention food oh Lord my food costs. Having CF I do not absorb food correctly forcing me to eat 8,000 caleries a day. Yes, eight thousand caleries a day!
So, you see I need assistance!
I need to be able to live life as well as being sick. As it would be ridiculous to just let my disease consume me. Ask yourself what you would do? Would you stay in bed and not do a thing because you were born "sick". I highly doubt it. I refuse to live a horrible life just because I was born with a horrible hand in life. I worked HARD when I was physically able to and deserve everything I have in my life!!!!
So, next time you roll your eyes, get irritated, and think, "you work so hard for people like that to get assistance", please think about the fact that you don't know my story or anyone else's for that matter!!!!
Not Ashamed,
Sandi
I have noticed a lot of people complaining about how government money should be spent regarding food stamps and welfare benefits given. So here is my run down.
Close your eyes and image the woman standing in line in front of you at the grocery store. She is young mid 20's, dressed very fashionably, well groomed, manicured, eyebrows waxed, hair just dyed, and sporting all of her tattoos, large diamond engagement ring and a thick diamond wedding band on her left hand. Always laughing and smiling.
How did you picture her?
·A young wealthy woman?
·Or is she's married with few kids?
·Maybe a 20 something girl just trying to figure out life without her parents help?
Then see needs to purchase her items. She pulls out her EBT card along with her Direct Express card. That has her government assistance money loaded on it.
Now, what thoughts do you have? Do they change to something like this?
·"There is nothing wrong with her?"
·"How rude for a young person to take a handicap spot just for a shorter walk to the door"
·Or my all time favorite "I work for money what do you do? Nothing and just get money handed to you because you're to lazy to get a job."
★I would say by now you're irritated and shocked that YOU work hard for your money and can't eat as well as what she just bought and think there should be a limit as to what foods she should buy. You're angry right?
You will most likely never see that woman again. You'll go home and post something about her on social media and be done with it. Me however, being that I am that woman I mentioned above, will see "you" everywhere I go. Different faces, ages, races, and society standings but nevertheless it's same person.
I will always be judged, because the cover of my book is in mint condition. My pages are torn and tattered some are even missing. A lot of bloody and nasty chapters that no on would want to even read are things you can not see when you are judging me.
Cystic Fibrosis is an invisible disease however, what no one outside of the CF community understands is we are in need of government assistance in one form or another. I have not been able to hold down a job due to my health getting worse, since I was 23. I am now 27 years old. Mind you I worked from the age of 15 and at times held multiple jobs and college classes. I loved working and earning a living being completely independent. So trust me I am not happy using government assistance. However, without it I would literally be homeless, naked, and most likely dead!
I have one medication that keeps me alive daily that costs over $5,000 per bottle alone. That is just ONE out of the 30+ pills I need to survive. Along with rent, food, and bills. I am not sure where any of those judging me work but I can almost guarantee that you wouldn't be able to afford all of that at your job without some type of assistance! I also know that insurance from any job in WV will not cover my medical 100%. Not to mention food oh Lord my food costs. Having CF I do not absorb food correctly forcing me to eat 8,000 caleries a day. Yes, eight thousand caleries a day!
So, you see I need assistance!
I need to be able to live life as well as being sick. As it would be ridiculous to just let my disease consume me. Ask yourself what you would do? Would you stay in bed and not do a thing because you were born "sick". I highly doubt it. I refuse to live a horrible life just because I was born with a horrible hand in life. I worked HARD when I was physically able to and deserve everything I have in my life!!!!
So, next time you roll your eyes, get irritated, and think, "you work so hard for people like that to get assistance", please think about the fact that you don't know my story or anyone else's for that matter!!!!
Not Ashamed,
Sandi
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