The needy in NEPA have many faces [Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal]
Copyright: | (c) 2011 Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal |
Source: | Proquest LLC |
Wordcount: | 1083 |
The real trouble began for Angenika of
"When I stepped off that plane in 2009, I knew I was in trouble," says Angenika. "I'm not making excuses, but since then, I've lost everything I had, and I am officially homeless."
Angenika, who is still listed as an active-duty member of the
Ultimately, Angenika resorted to alcohol to self-treat her problems. She also says that the
"I begged my unit leader 100 times for trauma and alcohol counseling, but nothing happened," says Angenika.
Searching for a ray of financial hope, Angenika turned to the
When discussing her situation, Angenika displays various emotions. She is extremely frustrated with the military and is heartbroken that she is now physically separated from her two children.
"I thought, if the military broke me, they would have to fix me," says Angenika. "I sacrificed for this country."
Despite her anger at the military, she expresses noting but gratitude for
"They just keep telling me that they're working on it," she says.
Medical burdens
Steve, a
The family's financial problems turned critical when Steve's wife, who is also uninsured, became disabled after a nasty fall. This thrust Steve into the role of primary caregiver for his wife and three kids. He is the only family member who can drive.
When Steve's family began to experience a "rent issue" with tardy payments, he consulted with
"I previously never believed in any type of assistance," says Steve, who is now enrolled as an online communications major with the
Steve's story is evolving. His wife has filed for
Unfortunately, Steve's youngest daughter is now experiencing seizures, and he suffers from nagging health problems. He has decided not to seek medical treatment for himself because he is uninsured.
Steve is lavish in his praise for
"Without the social services we've received, I'd still be living in my mother's basement," adds Steve. "At some point, I also want to go back to work."
Extensive chemotherapy
However,
"The chemo has compromised my immune system, and I can't be around schools," says
The cancer diagnosis has left
"I was in denial about all of this at first, and then panic set in," says
Good news may be on the horizon for the couple.
She has also been covered by her parent's medical insurance, and both
"During my college days, I never would have believed this type of thing could happen to me," says
"For now, I'm hoping one of us is offered a full-time job and some sort of normalcy returns," says
"Our agency is seeing many people who never struggled financially in the past, but are now suffering from things out of their control," says Moyle. "In many cases, healthcare costs are at the root of the problems."
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