I am the mother of a severely disabled
eleven-year-old named Josh. Josh was born with kidney and heart problems and
he is also mildly retarded, suffers from ADHD, and has problems with his
bowel system. Josh has frequent medical appointments; right now he sees five
different doctors and also attends behavioral therapy for his ADHD. I have
two other children as well.
I have received TANF off and on. I applied
most recently because I was having trouble making ends meet and also getting
Josh to his many doctor's appointments because I was without a license or a
car. I was able to get help going to driver's education classes through the
ASPIRE program. In January of 2001, I got my license but until very recently
I have not been able to afford a car.
Last month, I was able to purchase a 1988 car
from my parents, for which I pay them $50 a month. Not everyone can get such
an opportunity, so those families who are working but still receiving TANF
would benefit from a low-interest car loan program.
Since I got the car, I got a job as a C.N.A.
at a nursing home. Without the license and car, I would still be at home and
unable to get to work. Now, I use the car to get Josh to his doctor's
appointments, to get my kids to day care, and to get myself to work (about
30 miles each way), something that not very long ago I wouldn't have thought
possible. As I increase my hours at work, I hope to leave TANF behind
permanently. Without my license and my low car payments, things would not
have come together for my family and me.
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