Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 13, 1993 TAG: 9312130045
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The past two years have been very hard for Sue (not her real name) and her family.
"We've really had it rough," she said.
In 1991, her husband had a heart attack, followed by double bypass surgery. Although he has never really been well since, he has been unable to qualify for disability payments and was just released to return to work this fall.
His old job, which he held for 16 years, requires strenuous physical labor, which he can no longer do. He is looking for work, Sue said, but the scar tissue in his heart causes frequent spells of weakness and pain, making him undesirable to many employers.
Sue, 38, lost her job about the same time after injuring her back in nine places. She is in constant pain and can barely do housework.
Last year, when the stress became too much to handle, Sue and her husband were hospitalized for depression, one right after the other.
Now they are both on anti-depressant medications as well as other drugs and are under a psychiatrist's care. Their treatment is paid for by Medicaid, but there still are bills left over because Sue's husband's insurance didn't cover all of his medical costs.
The family's only income is from Sue's disability check, Aid to Families with Dependent Children and food stamps.
Sue has been coming to the Presbyterian Community Center, which receives funds raised through the Good Neighbors drive, "off and on" for two years.
Besides help with the utility bills, Sue gets food and clothing for the children and baskets of food at Christmas and Thanksgiving. The food doesn't last long, however, Sue said, because her oldest son is growing fast and "practically stays in the refrigerator."
Sue doesn't have much hope for the future. Her husband "feels useless," she said. "He doesn't feel like he's providing for his family." She is not even sure how long he has to live.
Mostly, Sue tries not to think too far ahead.
"I would just like for my kids to have a good Christmas," she said.
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by CNB