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Testimonials
My Story by Mary G.
 I was at the Neighborhood House in Middletown, Delaware in March 2005 when I first saw the flyer for the Freedom Center for Independent Living (FCIL-DE). I knew I needed help with exploring all the disability benefits that might be available to me, help with finding a place to live that would be big enough for my two grandsons and me, and help with getting a job.
Three years ago I had to leave my job as a data processor at MNBA bank in Wilmington, DE, because the repetitive motion of keying in data had caused my right hand to begin to lose function. My doctor told me I should leave the job before I lost all function in my hand, so I did.
I was able to keep my health insurance and a small disability pension plan from MNBA bank. It was good I was able to maintain my insurance because in addition to my bad hand I was suffering from other serious ailments like high blood pressure, asthma, sleep apnea, and a blood clot in my leg brought on because I was overweight.
I contacted the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) hoping I could get some retraining for another job. The DVR suggested that I needed to lose weight in order to become healthier and more marketable to potential employers. The DVR signed me up for the Weight Watchers program.
Unfortunately, Weight Watchers didn't work for me. I tried some other diet plans and they didn't work either. Finally, because my doctor felt my weight was life threatening, I agreed to have gastric by-pass surgery. I lost over 100 lbs.
I wish I could say that all my problems disappeared with that loss of weight but they didn't. My blood pressure did improve but my other ailments have remained about the same.
FCIL-DE worked with me to make sure I had enough benefits coming in so I could meet my needs. With help from my Independent Living Specialist, I applied for Social Security Disability Income and was accepted. I applied for food stamps and was accepted. They are a big help because I keep my two grandsons with me on and off when their mother Kimberly is having trouble supporting them.
My other daughter, Kelly, has been a big help too. She is a medical technician with Union Diagnostic and she told me that Fast Track Delivery Service was looking for a messenger (courier). Fast Track services Union Diagnostic and the other businesses in the building. In July 2005 I got the part time job.
It's nice to have that supplemental income but I'm still having trouble finding a larger place to live. My landlord threatened to evict me from the small apartment where I'm living right now because my grandsons were staying with me for long periods of time. He told me there were too many people for that size apartment so I recently had to send them back to their mother, in Baltimore.
FCIL-DE helped me fill out the paper work for Habitat for Humanity. The Center is also helping me check real estate listings. It isn't easy finding a place I can afford that is large enough for my family and me.
I am a 56 years old single mother of three. I've had a hard life. I just want everyone to know that Freedom Center for Independent Living has been there for me every step of the way since I moved to Middletown, Delaware.
There is help out there for people who need it. The problem is where is it? Where do you start? FCIL-DE knows a lot more than I do about what resources that are available for people with disabilities that need help.
They're not going to do it for you but they are there to point out the way. It just feels good to be able to pick up that phone and know that the folks at FCIL-DE really care what happens to me.
My dream is to have a place big enough for my grandsons, their mother, and hopefully myself. For the first time I'm allowing myself to believe that dream just might come true.
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Freedom Center for Independent Living
400 North Broad Street, Middletown, DE 19709 (302) 376-4399 1-866-OUR-FCIL
TTY: (302) 376-4397 FAX: (302) 376-4395 E-MAIL: info@fcilde.org |
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