This is the story about how my family and I have been affected by covid-19. On July 15, 2020 my wife Carmen Rodriguez, and I Roberto Martinez became sick. We were having high fever, muscular pain, loss of appetite and sense of smell. My wife was getting worst, I had to take her to the emergency room. On July 21, 2020. The doctors diagnosed pneumonia in her left lung and lack of oxygen. The doctors started a treatment on her. Since we do not have any type of health insurance we are drowning in debt. I have been using my savings to cover some of those medical bills. Since I stopped working due to the virus. I havent been able to work for 8 weeks, waiting for my wife to get better. Ive been taking care of my kids. (14, 7 years old). This situation has been very painful, the recovery very slow, but we are positive that things are going to get better and we will be able to go back to work. For now, we need help paying some of our bills. While we can overcome this hardship. Thank you!
Audience: Government
The Helper Needs Help
For me COVID-19 has been one of those life events that creeps in slowly, unaware of the toll it will take until the damage has been done. I am one of those people that looks out for others and takes care of everyone else before I take care of myself. This global pandemic has taught me that behaviors like that take the largest toll because you don’t see the consequences until they’re upon you. In March, at the beginning of quarantine my first priority were my mom & my son. My son was quarantined at home with me and my mother lives across the street. She’s 77 years old, a 2 time cancer survivor that’s on chemo meds that have her immune system compromised. She still works as a hairdresser but my brother and I made the decision to isolate her for her safety. We also decided to take over her household expenses so that she wouldn’t be worried about rushing back to her salon which was ordered closed anyway. Shortly after that, in early April, I took in a former student that was home from college for quarantine and has a strained relationship with her mother. It didn’t take long before I saw a significant increase in my household expenses; utilities & groceries increased greatly. Then, from the additional wear & tear, household items began to give out. First my mother’s air conditioner, then my own. Next a water pipe exploded in my mother’s bathroom causing a flood and her refrigerator conked out too. My brother was soon unable to contribute anymore as his car and his wife’s care needed major repairs. I still didn’t worry as I was on top of all those additional expenses at first but then they just continued to mount month after month. I asked for a reprieve from my mortgage company but by the time the was period was finished, the expenses had piled up and my savings had been depleted. So fast forward to now, I’m currently behind on my mortgage for the month of August ($1280) and it’s time to pay September’s mortgage too. I have a past due FPL bill in the amount of $743.37 as I have only been paying the past due amount to keep afloat. I realize that there are so many others that are struggling out there but I too have found myself in the position of hardship. I hesitated to even submit this story but I figured it may resonate with someone else out there that is the helper who needs help during these very trying times.
Covid-19 (Story #943)
I Carmela Herrera, have gone through a hard situation. I am 65 years old I live by myself I was in the process of moving out because I cant afford to pay the rent where I live. Unfortunately I was infected with the virus back in June. I was very sick and was hospitalized for almost 3 weeks. I was connected to the oxygen the whole time. After 3 weeks I was released. I couldn’t work, I had to stay home for another 3 weeks before I was to start working. I am behind in my bills, and need some support to pay my electric bill before they discontinue the service. I am lucky to be alive and I thank this program and other ones that are supporting the community to help those in need. Thank you.
#23
Mrs catherinr hinson is an 85 year old widow. She was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago as a-symptomatic for covid 19. She is a retired teacher and a proud graduate of an hbcu-bethune-cookman university. She has stood with many causes that have affected change in the black community. Hwe covid 19 respoonse is that it is real. Mrs hinson feels that she went out just a little too much. Her son,efrem,vows to do all errands until this pandemic is over.
#25 (Story #49)
Mrs everlene baker is a native of boynton beach. She is so glad that god has allowed her to see 73 years of age on june 24th. She is a mother to angie,53 yrs old. Who teaches at lake worth high school . She is also her mother’s caregiver. Everlene has suffered from two(2) strokes in the past five(5) years.everlene feels this virus was an act of god due to all the wickedness in the owrld . She believe we must take heed and magnify his name and trust and obey his word.
#18 SHE HAS WORKED IN THE HOMES OF THE WEALTHY
Mrs geneva wilkins and her husband have lived in boynton for about 46 years. There homes sits on a corner with a well-manicured lawn.they are of low- imcome but you will never kmow it. She worked in the homes of the wealthy and there was never a penny taken from her pay for social security benefits. This has happened to many black helps all over. Mrs wilkins feels that cannot take the risk.she has loss alot during this pandemic not able to cook and people come and purchase her food. Mr wilkins tries to have rummage sales on the weekends to make a buck but due to covid 19. All she can testify to is that god has watched over she and her husband,
#21 tHE UNREST HAS BEEN A LONGTIME COMING:
Ms mildred schley is a native of boynton beach. She is a mother to 4 sons and 1 daughter. She now lives with her daughter,jane. Jane teaches at congress middle school. Her oldest son suffers with many health concerns and he is in and out of the hospital.ms schley believes that the unrest has been a long time coming in the black community. She mentions that the baby boomers failed this generation by not standing and staying steadfast to the cause .
#24
Ms eva hollis is the mother of 14 adult children. Her daughter,earline(71) prepare breakfast and lunch for her on a daily basis. She moves pretty slow. However,she is swift in memory. One of her son lives with her. Mrs eva is 96 years young. She says that covid 19 is so sad. Many have lost their lives with this virus. I stay in the house unless i must see my doctor. People should obey and stay home!
#21 THE WADE-INS WERE HISTORIC
I an michelle d white lives born and raised in boynton beach. Historically,i come from a long line of civil-rights activist. Especially when the blacks were trying to integrate the beaches in broward county which they successfully did. The beach today is known as a landmark beach von d mizell-eula johnson state park.eula johnson was my aunt. My aunt eula owned a gas station in the 1960’s. Not many african-americans were likely too not even now. The von d mizell-eula johnson state park was known 60 years ago as the john u lloyd state park colored beach. It is printed that the wade-in demonstrations were epic! My parents met at a historically black college and university as my aunt,uncle,sister and cousins…The great bethune-cookman university founded by a black woman,mary mccleod bethune!
#21
Mr lloyd sukhu is from bengali. He lives with his wife maywantie. Mr lloyd will be celebrating his 76th birthday september 28th.he and his family moved to boynton beach 20 years ago. He received a triple by pass about 3 years ago. He and his wife now babysit their beautiful grandboy with lots of humility. The suhku believe that his virus came as apunishment from the creator.