his is a copy of a
letter that I emailed to our local MPP's office. At this point my husband
has been to the MPP's office several times speaking to to Nick, the MPP's assistant. My husband wanted me to write to Nick. I didn't and still
don't understand why but he insisted and growled at me until I wrote the email.
I don't think in the scheme of things that it made a difference to Nick or my
husband's case but I actually felt better after writing it. Have a read.
Hi Nick,
You don't know me but you have met my husband. I am not sure what he has told
you. But last week I was so depressed and crying because i just had nothing
left in me to keep going. He leaned toward me and said to stop worrying. He
explained that you told him to stop worrying, that you would take care of it.
It was enough reassurance that I could get up and kiss our honey bunny good
night.
I didn't really believe that everything was going to be okay. These last three
- four years have been a living nightmare. The constant anxiety, the
butterflies in my stomach, my heart racing, the urge to rip my hair out and run
around screaming. The problems with money, the problems living with someone who
has PTSD . . .
As you know, my husband has not been working. He has been diagnosed with Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder. His WSIB claim is pending and Disability takes
forever.
We are always in arrears with the mortgage so the threat of foreclosure is
always looming over our heads. Actually, I feel alone in this. My husband just
doesn't seem to get the importance of paying our bills. Maybe it is his
prescriptions or his PTSD. I don't know.
I have a three year old and a sixteen year old that I am responsible for. And
of course my husband who cannot contribute financially, emotionally or
physically (around the house). I can't afford food or keep up the bills.
In the fall of 2010, Union Gas disconnected our gas. I was carrying pots of
boiled water up the stairs to the bathtub so our Hunny Bunny could have a warm
bath. (The rest of us tolerated ice showers.) I ended up slipping and falling
down the stairs and breaking my ankle. I had surgery on Saturday night and went
home Sunday afternoon. I went to work on Monday because I couldn't afford to
take any time off. I don't know if you have had a broken a bone like that
-requiring screws, but the pain was excruciating.
My husband's car is sitting in the driveway. We have been using it for parts to
keep my car going so I can get to work. We can't drive once it gets dark
because the rear lights don't work. Someone slashed all four tires last spring
then a few weeks later smashed the rear passenger door window. Someone thought
I was lying when I told them what has been happening because no one has that
much bad luck.
Did you know that Union Gas can shut off your gas in the fall and then when
winter comes and you still have not paid the bill, your family can just freeze?
Did you know that Cambridge North Dumfries Hydro can shut off your electricity
in the summer. That means no cooking, no hot water because the water heater
requires electricity, no lights, nothing....
Did you know that we cannot get any kind of assistance because I make too much
money?
I need to see light at the end of the tunnel. I am literally losing my mind.
We are going to lose our home. Nothing like kicking a person when they are
already down. We were financially in a good place, now it has all fallen apart.
I had to cash in RRSPs. I am being garnished for credit card debt. We racked up
the cards trying to get by. I have borrowed from almost everyone I know. We are
at the end now. No one else can lend me the money I need to catch up the
mortgage again. The bank has sent the mortgage to the lawyers to initiate
foreclosure. WE CAN'T LOSE OUR HOME. Please help us. Please. . .
Sincerely,
Darlene Nemeth
