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7 selections of fresh vegetables
6 selections of
fresh fruits
7 varieties of
frozen meats
5 bags of
non-perishables
1 bag of paper
products and personal care items
Gifts from a Secret Pal
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The
health troubles that most people experience as they age are no surprise.
However, that does not make new diagnoses any less difficult to understand
and accept. Many of the seniors in our Senior Citizen Project face a
constant barrage of new ailments that not only bring with them their own
effects, but many times complicate already-existing conditions. Just a few
weeks of stable health can uplift the spirit of a senior who struggles with
multiple health conditions and the emotional anguish of financial
insecurity. But often there is no relief. Just when 68-year-old Hattie felt like she was learning to live with her health
problems, she was handed another diagnosis, this time for cancer.
Hattie was one of 12
children born in Jackson, Mississippi. She moved to the North Side of
Chicago with her family when she 7 years old. Her siblings have experienced
various health problems, preventing them from walking and driving and taking the
lives of 5 of them. The seven surviving siblings keep in contact with each
other and visit occasionally if health permits, but each have their own
financial struggles that prevent them from helping each other. Hattie is
widowed and a mother of 6 children, 3 sons and 3 daughters. Four live in the Chicago
area and at times provide assistance in the form of rides to the store or
the doctor’s office. She sees her grandchildren from time to time, usually
enjoying their company on Mother’s Day and on her birthday. Hattie’s case
worker has emphatically told us that that her children do not provide her
with any financial support; otherwise, we may not have considered her for our
support.
For years, Hattie has
suffered from the debilitating pain caused by spinal arthritis. As if that
was not enough, shortly before being referred to the Senior Citizen
Project, Hattie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Each morning she takes 8
different medications to help alleviate some of the pain that consumes her
body and to limit the damage caused by her various conditions.
When Hattie is well
enough to move around, she visits with friends and neighbors. Her daughter
and her sister come for occasional visits and to provide Hattie with rides
to run errands and attend appointments. Most days, Hattie stays occupied
watching soap operas and other TV shows, and she enjoys making phone calls
in order to stay in touch with her family and friends. On special occasions,
Hattie enjoys social activities such as bowling and bingo.
Hattie has a monthly
income of $1,145. She spends $700 on rent and $120 on her medications. That
leaves slightly more than $300 for her to pay her utility bills, pay for
transportation, and purchase food and household necessities. After being
diagnosed with breast cancer, it became even more difficult for Hattie to
find enough money to afford the nutrition she needs. Before she began
receiving groceries from us, Hattie would often have to skip evening meals. Now, Hattie is able to enjoy a consistent supply of
12 varieties of fresh produce, 7 selections of frozen meat, 5 bags of
non-perishables, bread, paper products, personal care items, and special
gifts picked out just for her. She said, “Your service helped lift me up at
a very hard time in my life. I don’t know what I would do without HSP.” We
are happy to have Hattie in the HSP family and we are confident that,
together, we can help her get through the difficult times in her life!
Things to Remember About Hattie:
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Her birthday is April 11, 1940, she turn 69 in
2009.
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Her monthly income is $1,145.
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Her favorite flower is the rose.
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Her favorite color is baby blue.
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