"Can't" is not an option for me

Oct 08, 2010

Going along with the last post regarding money & the associated costs of WLS, I knew it would happen and I was just waiting for it - sure enough, one person commented, "If you seriously can't afford it cancel your surgery."  Definitely NOT going to happen... the person who made that comment obviously has never met somebody like me, nor do they possess the empathy of a social worker.

It's hard to admit to strangers that I need help with money matters, but I do, so I am asking for suggestions and information.  I am trying to be "planful" and make sure I explore all options. However, I feel like, even amongst peers who should ideally be accepting and understanding of hardship and the sting of stigmas and oppressive beliefs about certain groups of people, there are people who judge me because I receive public assistance right now.  I am in grad school so that I can someday get a job (and not need assistance!) that enables me to give back to the community and help individuals in need.  Grad school takes time and costs major money, and it's damn near impossible to earn enough money to live on while juggling a full courseload and an internship!
I am by no means "lazy" or looking for a "hand-out" - sometimes in life you need help getting by because you're trying to make a better life for yourself in the future.  My mother faced the same situation: stay with an emotionally abusive and controlling man or leave and face poverty and uncertainty.  She left so that she and I would not have to live in that environment.  I grew up in poverty but my mom always did her best to provide and when that wasn't enough, we got help from others.  My mom works harder than anybody I know, but it's hard to get a decent job when you never had the chance to go to college.  My life has taught me to never give up on a dream, no matter what obstacles (ie. money) stand in your way...
I am not one to let money stand in the way of my goals and dreams though.  If I did, I would have never done many of the things I treasure as some of my greatest accomplishments: I earned a full-tuition scholarship which enabled me to go to college, and I earned a prestigious gov't fellowship to study in China.  I believe, "where there's a will there's a way," and what I lack in money I make up for in creativity and ambition! 

If worse comes to worse, I will have to add extra to my student loan next semester to help cover costs, but I really really don't want to do that if at all possible because I already owe SO MUCH and goodness knows I won't make much as a professional social worker... I will be paying off my education for the rest of my career, probably!  Shows you how much social work is valued...

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