Yesterday, we received this disturbing letter:
To the Editor:
I read with great interest, your article regarding Senior suicides. It touched on several peripheral reasons, but not the main reason. None of us that have retired on Social Security are able to survive on the allotted amount.
My story:
I am 65, a retired nurse, and worked hard nearly 50 years of my life; restaurants, factories, bars, fast food, offices, and finally, as a nurse. I never saved much money as I chose to feed my children instead. 401K was mandatory at one of my jobs, however, I had to withdraw from it over and over again to make ends meet. I never had health insurance as I could not afford it, fortunately, my children were very healthy and didn’t break bones. The few times I was extremely ill, I went to work anyway……..no work, no pay.
I am retired, living on $807.00 per month which, due to Medicare premiums beginning in November, will be reduced to $692.00 per month.
I gave up my car as I could not afford insurance. I moved into a 400sf apartment, and have to use a makeshift bathroom in the basement. I applied for Assistance and receive a little over $31.00 a week for food. My rent is $350.00 per month plus utilities and I will be giving up my phone soon. I am able to utilize the Net for this email as a neighbor has allowed me to use her WIFI code for $20.00 per month, also soon to be eliminated as I can not afford it anymore.
Due to the substandard foods that I am eating, my teeth are now loose, breaking like chalk, and falling out. I have developed uncontrollable High Blood Pressure and can not afford the prescription. I am unable to find an MD that will see me, even with Medicare, unless I pay $50 to $75.00 up front and balances not covered……and, there is no dentist that will see me without cash up front. I go to the local Health Clinic when I have the $2.25 for the bus, I tried to go to a “low income” dental clinic that only accepts a certain amount of patients and, thus far, have never made the “cut” even though I have arrived two hours before they open. Even if I do get in, they have told me I may not be cared for as Dentures and Bridges (mine is held together with superglue) are considered cosmetic.
I am one among many thousands in this situation. We remain unheard and ignored. Rather than face debilitating illness and homelessness, yes, many choose suicide. In our case, dying is far better than living. There is much ridiculous chatter via politicians regarding the “death panels”, but, one thing for sure, they do exist…….in the form of sweeping away the useless debris known as Seniors by literally causing illness and promoting poor nutrition.
We Seniors are the victims of being “ignored to death”. If I had it all to do over, I would have never been a nurse, never worked so hard, I would have joined the segment of this Country that lies, cheats, and steals their way to the top.
This is not the Country I grew up in; this is not the Country I thought it was. This is a viscous pit of inhumane, ungrateful pigs that devour all around them that worked so hard under the guise of America the Beautiful.
Why do Seniors commit suicide? Really”?
Well, thanks for listening.
Marti Vadeboncoeur
Cudahy, Wisconsin
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