It's Blog Action Day-Let's Fight Poverty

Today thousands of bloggers will unite to discuss a single issue - poverty. We aim to raise awareness, initiate action and to shake the web! I wanted to share with you my personal experiences dealing with poverty in celebration of Blog Action Day.

As a child I was blessed with having two of the greatest parents in the entire world. Unfortunately we were not blessed with the best circumstances. I, of course, did not realize our situation at the time. It was only later that I recognized just how much work my parents did and how much they overcame to make sure we were fed, clothed, and sheltered all the while putting off their needs. Getting the most basic needs like food became increasingly difficult and we had to resort to government means. I remember standing in the line at the local army depot awaiting our cheese, milk, and bread.

I grew up in a trailer that was awesome. I thought I had the biggest house ever and never knew anything different. That all became a dream after we lost our home. I was very young, probably around 6, although I can't really remember. We were forced to stay wherever anyone would let us. Fortunately we had a great family, for the most part. I was shuffled around houses, sleeping on couches with my two brothers. Christmas came that year and I was amazed to look under our tree to see a brand new pink bike and an EZ Bake Oven. What was interesting is that we had Christmas in a automotive shop that my Dad built. There were a couple of kerosene heaters going to keep us warm. The floor was covered some sort of foam so we didn't have to celebrate on the cold concrete. Looking back now I wish we had not had a big Christmas. There were so many other things that we needed.

Luck finally came our way and we were able to get a new trailer. It was an old repo that needed a LOT of work. My Dad busted his behind day and night to make it livable. It was much smaller than the other house but we had a home. There, in that trailer, I got sick. I was diagnosed with a chronic illness that required many doctors and hospital visits. This was back in the day when children with chronic illness could not get insurance. I was shuffled about while doctor after doctor shrugged their shoulders because they could not figure out was wrong. I was wasting away and the bills were mounting. I lived in hell and I still can't fathom what my parents went through. It took every penny my Mom and Dad had, and those they didn't have, to get treatment for me. In the end, we lost our home.

Now I sit here, with tears in my eyes, thinking about the two most heroic people that I could ever know. I grew up in circumstances that were less than ideal but I sit here as a recent Master's Graduate making my dream come true. I have had the pleasure of obtaining a top-notch education, travel the world, and live the best life ever. I have had difficulties, who hasn't? I have learned what really makes a difference in a person's life. I would not change a thing about my childhood (well, maybe I would cut out that who genetic illness thing). I continually hope I am half of the parent my parents were. I had it lucky. I had people there to help. To encourage me along the way. To hold my chin up when I was down.

Most people living in poverty do not have have these circumstances. They are not afforded these opportunities. I want to be one of those people that encourage. That help. That hold people's chin up high. That is why I am proud to be part of Blog Action Day.

Now, Will you help? For every comment left on this post before Midnight Mountain Time on October 15th I will donate a can of food to the Metro Food Bank, up to 50 cans. It doesn't take anything on your part except 5 seconds to tell me how you help your community. Please, if you are inspired leave a comment here and then find a way to help those living in poverty in your own community.

I will leave you with this: "If the misery of the poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin." ~Charles Darwin