Walk a Day in My Shoes (Our Stories)

April 19, 2008 | Kimberly Kelson (Coeur D'Alene, ID)

2008-04-21T14:40:16Z

I am a 51 year female who has been in the work force since I was 15 years old. I've worked in several industries retail clerks union for 9 years, food broker for 9 years and now in Idaho I work with no benefits for $14.00 an hour in the title loan business. I'm finishing my degree in Social Work while working and supporting my 21 year old son though school, so he will have a chance and not have to join the ranks of the educated poor who owe thousands of dollars for their educations, during an economic climate that holds little for the future. I continue in my education so I can stay viable in the work-force as I continue to age and feel the insecurity of not having a 401-k or health insurance. My employer just took away our health insurance because he feels he is paying us above market value. However, this does not preclude him from paying for his living expenses and vacations with company funds which reduce his tax liability. As his expenses have gone up he is looking to cut overhead rather than increase advertising to stay competitive or to reduce the size of the automobile he drives. So this leaves me with a great deal of insecurity for my future retirement, which will not happen until I am 80 if I can stay in the job market. I pay $217.00 a month for a health insurance plan with a $1000.00 deductible, which is mainly catastrophic. My co-worker who has portal vein thrombosis - a blood clot in the liver was denied from plans when the company dropped her. She to only has catastrophic but needs her blood drawn every week and her income is $11.00 an hour. These hourly rates may sound good but when you're paying for medical insurance (not regulated), huge prices in gas and utilities (deregulated) and high cost of food (subsidies) it isn't a lot. I am fortunate I live in a home my son's father inherited, however, most people do not have that benefit and the reason I'm able to support my son through school. So what is right and ethical for an employer- to devalue his workers so he can maintain his current spending patterns and spend more? I would love to save for my retirement and I did when I had a 401-K but I put it into stocks and my $7000.00 became, now, $2000.00. I had a stock broker who when I told him to cash out and put it into money market told me to hold, the year President Bush was elected.

April 16, 2008 | Jeffrey Jordan (Chicago, IL)

2008-04-18T14:50:51Z

Hello Mr. president my name is jeffrey jordan i work for a privetize company contracted by chicago b.of ed. i work hard everyday but days that i have a doctor appointment and i have to take off i don't get pay b.of ed. custodain who do the same job i do get sick time and personal business and recieve more money all we are asking for is the same treatment i don't think that it is fair but we are stuck between a rock and hard place. I was in pennsylvania from march 1-26 i was working on a campagain for the union Child care provider and registering people to vote for the primary april 22. This up coming sat. i am on my way to the state of indianna to help register some more voted i know you are going to be our next president that why i address you as MR. PRESIDENT thank you for time. jeffrey jordan

April 4, 2008 | Candi Caldwell (Sacramento, CA)

2008-04-07T15:24:38Z

I would like for you to know how difficult it is me on a day to day basis and everything i tell you might be sad but it is the truth i have a special needs child who has multiple problems he is blind,cp,autism,bad allergies to everything can't cook nothing with spices can't take him to the restaurants or to the malls because of his allergies being so bad he has asthma attacks,learning disabilities i am finding it very hard to get by day to day i am alone im a single mother with no friends and no family i do have a boyfriend but he is really sick and tries to help me the best he can i strive everyday just to make sure my son can learn his eductaion at home as well as at school my rent is to high and due to my bad credit this was the only landlord who would trust me to pay my bills on time.I am on the healthcare plan but can't go to the doctors myself because i can't even pay the copay i am the only who can take care of my son and i have to stay healthy but i have some issues with my health and only get looked at once a year at the hospital.I have two other children by the same dad who wants nothing to do with our son but got custody of my 2 girls and i have been trying to prove to them that he is unfit and has a drinking problem i can no longer fight the system to help my two other kids who should have lived with their baby brother in the first place i am only in able to protect one child which is my special needs son at this time all my money had gone out for lawyers gas fixing my sons car so he can get back and forth to school and appointments.I take care of my son 7 days a week and 24 hours a day except when he is at school i get paid for maybe 5 hours a day.He is to hard for anyone else to even watch him because of all his problems they would have to watch him at my house spend time with him before they even got to watch him he has loud educational devices and my brother who tried to watch him once couldn't even do it although he is not around anymore for private reasons.Here is my day and this is a everyday thing he gets up at 7:30 am to go to school while he is at school i have to come home and do laundry because he socked his blankets and is in a diaper still then i have to clean up his mess he left before he went to bed then i go pick him up at school at 12:15 he comes home i have to change his wet diaper which they did not change at school and always having to get something for him that he wants i make him a bottle and give it to him i do this all day pattern which i never get to sit not even for 5 minutes he always wants something or making a mess we do his braille work then read he goes to bed between 12pm-3pm because he has bowel problems sometimes he is up half the night i have to change his diaper at least every 30 min or more if he has had his bathroom medicine to help him because if not he gets a very bad diaper rash i have to clean him with special cream because of this reason i wish someone could come out to see how hard it is to care for him without no help from family and friends i am telling you i am alone all alone except for my boyfriend i don't have time for anybody i have no time to socialize at all unless it is at one of my sons special events which he has three of every year.My phone does not ring no one has ever knocked on my door in the 3 years i lived here so i hope you get the picture i need to keep the pay and hours i recieve and without my cost of health insurance going up i can't take care of anyone else and can't get a job not with my son's health issues and they can be life threatining if you think i am kidding and don't believe i have no life because there is only time for my son you can walk in my shoes for a day anyday stay 24 hours and you will understand how lucky all of you politics are the money you recieve your health insurance retirement nice homes nice cars live on what i live on and see if you don't have a problem with the way things are working out if you come to my house you will see i have not got nothing in here that is not my son i have 3 pair of pants and shirts the vehicle belongs to my son for his things although it is in my name i drive it but to me it belongs to him all the rooms are filled with his things please i am begging you if you even spent a day in someone else's shoes i can tell you this will open your eyes for sure and you will want to fix the problems i guarntee it.

March 30, 2008 | Jillayne Holter (St. Louis Park, MN)

2008-03-31T13:43:46Z

I have worked as a nurse (LPN and RN) for 29 years in Mpls. and Chicago. I was an SEIU member when I worked at HealthPartners 6 years ago, and was involved in SEIU union organizing of long term care centers. My years of work have demonstrated to me the complete failure of our government to provide health care to all citizens. As an individual I don't have much power to effect change, however I did go to my precinct caucus and I talk to my friends at work. I would be very interested in working with SEIU people in the Twin Cities area to organize for healthcare. I would also like to donate 1 weeks vacation to go to Pennsylvania or Indiana to campaign for Obama.

March 24, 2008 | Jose Echevarria (Cornelius, OR)

2008-03-24T14:47:13Z

First, there is going to be many spelling and punctuation errors here so bear with me.

My name is Jose Echevarria and I live in Cornelius, Oregon. I was born in the Mexico and moved when I was nine. Now, I am 16 as of Feb. 3 and am doing alright because life is going like so. Well, it is not me that I want to have a person walk in my shoes. It would be either my father, Eloy Echevarria or my mother, Celia Acosta De Echevarria. My Dad is a nursery worker at Glenn Walters Nursery in Forest Grove, Oregon and my Mom a Housekeeper. Their salaries are descent and I know that they have a job just to keep us going through life. They both somewhat understand the English language and brough me along with my 4 other brothers, Aldair (8), Osveli (10), Myself (16), Eloy (17), and Sergio (21) to the US in June of 2001. This was the best decision that they made for us and our future. Before, I didn’t even think about college education because it is sad to say that I didn’t even know what it was. My Mom didn’t go to school at all in Mexico and my Dad went through the 2nd Grade in Elementary School. Them not being able to go to school motivates me everyday when I wake up to continue going to school and work hard to maintain good grades. I do hold a 4.0 GPA and have had it all though Middle School. I currently attend Glencoe High School in Hillsboro, Oregon and I love it. I know for a fact that my life is not as harsh as that of some people around me even. I dress nice, eat descent food, and am never broke. But it does get hard sometimes, especially now that we got a home as we were renting before. Come the 1st of each month, my Mom talks to me about money. It’s hard. She tells me that my brothers try to help out and it does help but we still have issues. Recently, I got hired at Fred Meyer, a Kroger Company and am anxious to work. I tell my mom, “Mami, te juro que quando trabaje voy a hacer todo lo que pueda para ahorar y poder ayudarte a ti y todos para pagar los biles” (Mom, I promise you that when I start working I’m going to do all I can to help you guys pay the bills and save some money). It gets her so upset because she doesn’t want us to be sacrifising ourselves and start worrying about money at this age. I don’t care what she says because I know that they get really stressed out about this stuff. Recently, the amount of time she worked decreased by 15 hours or so which brought down her paycheck. She even considered going back to the fields where it is hot and the conditions aren’t so good. Some guys my age don’t give their parents the credit they should for their hard work and I do. I thank them everyday, sometimes in secret becuase they would get so annoyed. When my mom told me she wanted to go back to the Nursery and work I told her, “Ma, lla sabes que te pones mal con tus allergias y ni puedes ablar, te vas a poner mas mala” (you’re always sick, you have nasty allergies, the doctor has told you that you need to say away from there) and she tell me that it is all for us. Unlike other people in this beautiful country, we are not in the verge of losing our home but we are in the verge of losing our mind because we fear we might be getting closer to not being able to pay the mortgage. As a Housekeeper, my mom cleans toylets, rooms, and other tasks that a typical white person would do. I don’t know much about my Dads “JOB” so I can’t really talk much about that, but what I do know is that he worked his way up from a field worker to a descent management position. Knowing that my parents worked hard, I want to do the same, and return the favor to my parents of giving me life, and bringing me to THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. That is why, when I finish High School, I want to go to a 4 year University here in Oregon and get a degree in something that deals with Law becuase I would like to become a lawyer some day. After that, Law school maybe Harvard or somewhere else. Being the Governor of my state of Oregon would be so awsome I think. I could help people, my people, the Latino Population. I attended the Portland Stand For Change Rally for Obama on March 21st. I missed school that day and didn’t care because I knew that I could recuperate and needed to learn more about Obama, MY HERO. I held a sign saying “TODOS CON OBAMA.” I was loud, Governor Bill Richardson even signed it and thanked my group and I for being there since we still are young. I got Bills signature, but not Obamas eventhough I asked Governor Richardson if he could PLEASE ask Mr. Obama to sign it. That was a bummer, but oh well, HE WILL SIGN THAT POSTER ONE DAY, AND I WILL KEEP IT FOR EVER!!!! So, I’m out of words to say why I would like Obama to walk in my parents shoes. They are the best in the world and I would be lost without them. I hope that you guys can understand my not so stressing story and I do want to tell my parents that, LOS AMO CON TODO MI CORAZON!!! -Jose Echevarria-

March 18, 2008 | Tina Storrs (Belle Plaine, MN)

2008-03-24T14:30:27Z

I am sure I have a story like everyone else. I am working three jobs with only maybe 2-4 days off a month to spend with family. My husband also works 40+ hours a week. We are trying to keep a roof over our two boys heads, food on the table, and gas in the cars to get to work to make the money for all of this. MAny times we have one utility or another turned off. In order to try and keep up with medical bills we both carry insurance and still have bills in collections. It is just hard for the everyday family to keep thier heads above water. We need help This country needs help.

March 15, 2008 | Jack Stewart (Medford, OR)

2008-03-17T14:38:03Z

I am an African-American, Honorably Discharged Veteran and I've filed an EEOC claim against Jackson County Oregon. I have hired an Attorney and have Local SEIU 503 fighting for me every step of the way. Without their help, my rights would have been violated........the struggle for equal rights exist.

Having the ability and desire to make a difference before I leave this earth is what wakes me up. I'm just one man with this burning desire........ to be treated EQUALLY.

Thank You,
Jack M Stewart, Jackson County, Airport Secuirty Officer and Local 503 SEIU Member

March 11, 2008 | Carla Branch (Leetonia, OH)

2008-03-14T19:59:06Z

Well, My shoes dont last long enough to tell a story,but the feet that go into them could write a book. I work in a nursing home in Boardman Ohio. Where mandation runs wild…Ive been employed there for 13 long years. They have been recently been mandating 12-16 hrs at a time back to back. We are very lucky to visit our families. All they say is were sorry as they smile walking out the door to go home and be with their families….What about the families of the patients that we take care of on a daily basis? The questions on their family members care? What do you say when they ask how mom got the bruise ect?? The questions on the care their family member has been recieving, your so tired you in your heart know they are right but yet you dont have the heart to them the truth. The incidents are insaine,the personal care is inexcuseable, but yet your back hurts,your head ache wont go away from lack of sleep,stress ect I could go on for ever, but the bottom line here is if this was their family member there would be no excuses. This mandation has to stop… Its not healthy for the workers nor is it fair to the many patients we care for on a daily basis for hours upon hours a day. PLEASE HELP US ALL.

February 23, 2008 | Lindsay Appleman (Butler, OH)

2008-02-24T20:09:29Z

Currently I am a stay-at-home mother of 3. My youngest son is 1, my daughter is 3 and my oldest son is 8. I am a full-time student as well. I decided to go back to school to obtain my teaching degree, this of course means I am racking up student loans. My husband works as a truck driver. He is up at 2am and gets home, well, whenever he finishes his route. He also works a part-time job to try and bring in extra money to keep us from falling to far behind. Paydays are generally not good days. There is never enough to go around and the cost of everything keeps going up. It is always stressful to sit and figure out which bill to pay and which one can,hopefully, wait. We have no savings, so when emergencies happen, generally we fall behind and it can take months to catch up. Our insurance rates have risen again and we struggle to even pay the co-pays or deductibles. Because of the day to day struggles of living pay check to pay check we are not able to pay off credit card debt or any mounting medical bills. Day to day life is hard when you struggle to just provide the basics for your family. You work hard, long hours and have nothing to show for it. Having to worry about how you will even provide a birthday party or a gift for your child. It’s a job in itself everyday trying to figure out how you will keep up. Walk a day in our shoes.

February 21, 2008 | Stefani Allison (Stockton, CA)

2008-02-22T20:09:28Z

I work for a Regional Center in California and work with individuals that are developmentally delayed. I see every day what our budget cuts are doing to our disabled children, and it is disheartening. Also with the fact that the budget is making it downright impossible for people to stay in this job for long because it pays so poorly. With that, you have new service coordinators about every year for these families, and their services are severely affected that way.

February 12, 2008 | Bobbie Currie (New Port Richey, FL)

2008-02-13T18:11:55Z

I walk in my shoes alot. I can’t drive anymore, I am going blind. I am a single mom, living off 200.00 a month and some food stamps. My son, Jonathan is my inspiration. He’s only 15 months old. His dad hit, and I left, but my eyes couldn’t hold up. I also have a Retinis Pigmentosia. I am legally blind. I am a college student. I am studying human services. I hope to be a substance abuse counsler. I am a recovering addict. I have three years off the drugs. I do alot, I walk to stores with my son. We take buses to school. We carry a 15lb pound bag of wash, a stroller, laundry soap. We walk like that to the laundry mat. I use my teeth to carry the laundry bag. I need more hands. Sometimes I go without food for my son. Its what moms do. I love my life. I am happy everyday I wake up to my boy. I love my country. I dare you to walk a day in my shoes. I hope you’ll consider it.

February 7, 2008 | Melba Halgren (Vancouver, WA)

2008-02-11T18:08:25Z

I am a daycare provider in Vancouver, WA Last year I made nearly $9,000 less than I made in 2006. Every year prices go up on everthing from food to gas. My credit card debt is out of this world, because I cannot afford to pay cash for everything I buy. I work between 10 and 12 hours per day. I do this job because I adore children and know that they are the future of this country. I know I am doing a valuable service to the parents who both must work to make ends meet. I care for 8 children during the day, and an additional 4 after school when my husband comes home from work at 3:00 p.m. to be my assistant. I joined SEIU 925 because it makes me feel like I am not powerless any more. I feel that I have a voice now. We have a grievance process. We are starting to get some health care coverage. We are holding local union meetings to find out what is going on in the union. I am presently serving as the SW Washington Lead Activist for the union, so I am getting involved in the political arena. I love this union. I want to see a Democratic president elected so we can start reversing all the damage that the Bush Administration has done. I look forward to go to the caucas this coming Saturday and voting for Barrack Obama. I feel like there can be hope for this country. I am proud to do my part to make this country a better place to live. The children that I care for will be better citizens because they were taught to do what is right. I have been a daycare provider for nearly 24 years. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science from WSU-Vancouver. I went to school for 7 years in the evening to earn my degree. I graduated in 1997. I could be doing a lot of other things with my degree, but I feel like teaching and caring for children is one of the most important jobs in the world. Sincerely, Melba Halgren

February 5, 2008 | Linda Burke (North Attleboro, MA)

2008-02-07T18:18:54Z

My husband and I both work over 40 hours weekly and still sometimes have trouble paying the bills, especially heating and electricity. We are in our 40’s; he’s a mechanic and I’m a nursing assistant. He carries the insurance but they don’t cover everything…recently I went to the hospital for treatment of chest pain so there’s $75 gone which was already earmarked for a bill which will now be short. The co-pays for our meds are crazy…why do we pay for insurance??!! We are so blessed in other ways (2 healthy children)…so we try to keep a good perspective but it’s difficult to work so hard and still feel like you can’t get ahead on anything.

February 2, 2008 | Ann Kochakji (Van Nuys, CA)

2008-02-04T20:01:22Z

Besides my concern about our continuing involvement in Irag, the deficit and the plunging dollar, my largest personal concern is the lack of affordable healthcare.

I feel that the current administration is not working for most people and has been bought out by special interests, in particular the oil companies and the HMOs. There appears to be no oversight of these corporations and they are permitted to exploit people charging them exorbitant prices thereby enriching themselves. Medical care is a necessity not a luxury. I find it troubling that the govenment is not permitting the import of Canadian drugs which may be cheaper so as not to cut into the American Drug Companies profits. The notion that this is somehow protecting our safety is nothing but a smokescreen for political payback. I wish people would wake up and elect someone who will really work for us. We need to demand accountabilty from our leaders.

February 2, 2008 | Irene Abplanalp (Ethel, WA)

2008-02-04T18:25:26Z

I am a wife of a organic dairy farmer. I was employed as a Lab Technologist in the a small town near by our farm. I have four children.The youngest daughter is twenty and struggling through college. The next daughter is twenty three and lives with autism. My twenty five year old son has completed his BS and is now looking for a employment in his field. He has college debt that he needs to repay. And my oldest son is thirty seven, employed, and expecting his first child. I have hopes for our country. I would like to see us invest those billions spent on the war to inprove life here at home for our future. We have roads that are crumbling. We have homes that have been flooding. There are two many in our country going to bed at night hungry. Many have lost hope in our idea of self rule. Since for the most of the poor they are ruled by there wantings. I haope that the next president listens to the people,takes care of our needs and looks out for the future. Will the money spent in this war we could have had bullet proof borders we could have a health care plan that would match our goverment employees. Our children would not have to spend years paying back the debt of education. We need to reinstate the liberties of our citizens and the dreams fo the future.