 January 2007
Cheryl Scott is a single mother with two teenagers. Life is already challenging for anyone in this position. Hers has been made even more difficult because of serious medical and financial issues.
Cheryl’s Medical History
Cheryl has osteoarthritis which has caused major bone deterioration in both of her wrists and forearms. She has had five surgeries on her arms, a joint replacement, and a Scheker Prosthesis put into her right arm. She also has been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition which causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the arm and hand due to pressure against the nerves and blood vessels that supply the arm. She recently went through a right side rib resection and scalenectomy that should reduce the pressure. The procedure took five hours, and she spent three days in the hospital. She has four more surgeries to go to correct the left side pressure. Already unable to work for the past few years, she remains disabled and cannot return to work anytime in the foreseeable future.
Family Concerns
Her son, Josh, is 13, has a mild form of autism and suffers from periodic seizures. Her daughter, Crystal, is 15 and in high school. Their lives were turned upside down when they became homeless back in November of last year. Crystal was hospitalized for several days shortly afterward due to stress-induced illness. How did this happen to them? Cheryl shares her story with me over a Tuesday night dinner at The Source.
February 2006
We were living in a low-income apartment complex like yours, and we had a nice, big four-bedroom apartment. When our lease ran out, they would not renew it. I was late on my rent only one time in the two years that we lived there. They never said why they wouldn’t let me renew, but I think it had something to do with my son’s special needs.
We didn’t have enough money for first, last and security on another place, so I ended up going back with my ex, against my better judgment. We had nowhere else to go. Things seemed to be okay at first. But by July, it had gotten really bad again, and we had to leave. (Details excluded for privacy purposes.) I tried to get into Safe Space, but Ernesto was coming, and we could only stay one night.
July 2006
I was getting pretty anxious. Some friends, well I thought they were friends, ended up saying that we could stay with them. They expected us to keep their house and do all the chores. They really took advantage of our situation, but at least we had a roof over our heads. Because of my arm being so bad, my daughter got stuck with most of the work.
We were living there when I had my surgery—a rib resection and scalenectomy. I was resting one afternoon, just a few days after my operation, when our friends walked in and started yelling about all the chores that hadn’t been done. They kicked us out, and we had to pack all of our stuff into the car and leave.
November 2006
Now I was really scared. We were out of options. I went around to all the shelters, but they could not help us because of my disability. You have to be working to stay there. I didn’t know what to do. That’s when I met DJ, and he told me about The Source. He showed me his bike, which he got from The Source, and told me to follow him.
I was so scared when I first came in. What was I scared of? Well, I was really afraid I would get turned away again. There were a lot of people here, and it took so long to see someone. I started to wonder if they were calling DCF on us because we had no place to go. I was so relieved when I finally sat down with Gaye. She was so warm and friendly. She didn’t judge me because I couldn’t work. She just wanted to be sure that we had a safe, clean place to go. It wasn’t easy, she had to keep calling and calling, but she finally helped us at least get a motel room. And she keeps on calling everyday, looking for a permanent place for us.
January 2007
Everyone else had turned me away except The Source. Gaye has worked so hard to help us. It has really meant a lot to me. And it’s not just for me, it’s for everyone. I watch you, and I see all the stuff that you guys do for everyone. Turns out I’ve made a lot of new friends here, and so have my kids.
Cheryl tries to express her gratitude
I could sit here and make a list of all of the great things that The Source is doing for my family and for others, but words do not seem like enough to express those great things and how grateful I am for them.
Everyone needs to realize that anyone can become homeless. But not everyone can do the things they do for people at The Source, unless they can find it in their hearts not to judge and to walk with God as The Source does.
Be careful when you say “It can’t happen to me,” because it can happen to you.
Where are they now?
Cheryl Scott and her children moved into a home in February, shortly after this article was written. We paired her with Eugene, also featured on this website, to enable them to afford housing on their limited income. Eugene is able to help Cheryl keep up with the kids, and Cheryl is helping Eugene learn how to live more independently. Isn’t God good? |
