Saturday, July 7, 2012

Life Under Reconstruction; "Whatever happens, however, you must not despair"

"When things are going smoothly in this world of ours, we suppose there is nothing to worry about, but these days the situation seems very threatening indeed.  Whatever happens, however, you must not despair.  Be firm in your approach, and if things should not go as you wish with regard to your lands, then determine to be more contented than ever, adopt an attitude of indifference, and if you like, come here."

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume II, "On Polished Wheat" written at Mt. Minobu, Japan to Nanjo Tokimitsu in 1275


Becoming disabled really is a disaster, and it's your own private disaster.  FEMA isn't going to come help you with a place to live and basic services until you get your life back together.  Except for any disability money you may be receiving, you're really on your own.

In my case I'm rather sure that my knees and spine will actually be better than they were before I was hit, and I'm determined that my life should be as well, but in the short term I'm still in recovery mode, and the principle struggle is money.

Social Security Disability, which is my only source of income at this point, only pays a couple of hundred dollars more than my rent, and I've just burned through the remainder of my savings.  On top of that, I just found out that the house I've been living in for the past five years has been sold and I need to move out by the end of July.

Sounds pretty damn awful, doesn't it?

But there are positives as well.  Because I never gave up plugging away at my employer about any benefits or money which I believed I was owed, I found out that I am due some assistance in placing me in another job, as well as Severance Pay, and that the demand that I pay back some money to the company was actually incorrect as I had figured logically it was.  This could mean a new role in the company or at least some much needed money.  This change in status also extended my insurance benefits for months longer without us having to go onto a COBRA program we couldn't afford.

When I spread the news about my housing situation--realize we have really no money for a deposit/first/last right now, particularly in New York City--a family friend immediately offered the rental of a house she's been trying to sell on a month by month basis, and for cheap!  Moreover it's in a location where my costs for everything will be significantly less, including insuring my car, gas, and tolls--all of which are outrageously expensive in Queens.  The house is an hour and change outside of NYC, and ideal for my interests in both Cycling and Astronomy.

It's amazing the results you can get when you never give up.

So now our plan is to move to that house for three months while I find my next job (I have two interviews next week) then save up a bit of money so we can move back to Queens to the same neighborhood.  Then I'm going to start taking classes again, maybe even enroll in a Masters Degree program, and improve my life in every respect.