breaking the stigma of people recieving money from the government.

I generally keep quite about the fact of being on disability, and that I receive food stamps. I became ashamed, and embarrassed that I needed this assistance in order to survive. One being because I like to be independent, two being that people look down upon you. But lately, it seems that more and more, people who are more fortunate, are bashing people who are in need of financial support.

Yesterday, like any other day I signed on facebook and scrolled through my news feed. One of the first things that popped up on my screen was this photo: 












My body quickly overflowed with anger like a boiling pot overflows with blistering water. I finally have decided to speak out about the stigma that is formed about people on disability that receive financial aid.

There is this belief in society that people who are recieving SSI or disability, or food stamps, really any sort of financial aid; are druggies, or abuse the system, or alchoholics, or are spending money on cigarettes, etc. I am writing this in hopes to help brake this stigma.

I am one of the many in the country who recieve financial aid. I have been on disability for about four years.  I have multiple chronic illnesses that prevent me from holding down a full time job to support myself. Most of you know my battle with Anorexia, depression, and anxiety. I am not going to get into the debate of whether those are illnesses, that is a blog post in itself. For those who are to ignorant to know, yes these ARE indeed illnesses. I also struggle with gastroparesis,  POTS ( postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), and many other medical complications. They leave me feeling constantly fatigued, dizzy, chest pain and palpitations, and many other symptoms.

First of all, I would love more than ANYTHING to be able to attend a full time job that I love. But my body and mind prevents me from doing this. I think that people who can work take for granted what a privledge that really is Sure  it can be annoying to get up early, or work late, or miss your childrens games and recitals. Want to know what is more annoying? missing those events because you're body simply won't let you. You don't have the energy, you constantly feel like you have the flu. But your illness is invisible, so you have to pretend like everything is ok. You don't look sick on the outside, so you must not be sick right? WRONG.

If it werent for the help I am able to recieve, I would be homeless, or maybe even dead. And like many other American's I too live check to check. I do not have money to spend on luxuries and electronics. many times I have to turn down going to a movie or out to eat because I do not even have 10 dollars to spare. I don't even recieve enough food stamps to feed myself a decent amount. So that picture above is not accuarte in the least bit. The amount of money I get in food stamps a month? less than THIRTY.

The only places I ever drive to when I have the energy are my appointments because I don't have enough money to spend on gas to go other places.

I don't smoke, I don't drink, and I have never even tried drugs, which yes includes weed.

I am sick and tired of people complaining about how angry they are that they are helping others out by paying taxes. If I was fortunate enough to work and make money, I would be ecstatic to help others out in my position. I would be happy to help ANYONE, including those that struggle with addiction.

I am not saying that there are people who don't abuse the system, I am sure there are. But there are far more people who actually need the assistance. Everyone I personally know who recieves the help, truely needs it. The government does not take those applications lightly. I also know people who need the help who got denied. It is very difficult to get the help.

And FYI : You cannot buy alchohol or cigarettes with your food stamps. For some reason, many people believe you can. Nor can you withdraw money to buy other things that could be harmful.

And who are you to judge someone who struggles with drug addicition? There is also this stigma that people who are dealing with addiction are horrible, awful people. We are all on the same playing field. If we look at the bible and follow Jesus' example, we know to treat everyone and view everyone equally. Jesus even forgave and loved the prostitutes. So why can't we simply stop thinking we are better than anyone who deals with addicition and other mental illnesses? Why is someone who is "healthy" more deserving of services than someone who struggles with illness? The correct answer is that they're not. But for some strange season society has declared themselves as better and more deserving. This angers me to no end. Especially my Christian friends who share things regarding negatively speaking about people who receive help. Them, of all people should know to treat others with the dignity and kindness that they would want.