Tales From Desolation Row: God bless the child that's got his own health care.

I get a lot of calls from people who are worried about other people that they know—someone who's lost a job or who's behind in their rent or who needs to get a prescription filled and they don't know where to get help. I have the privilege of working with a group of talented and caring staff that will leave no stone unturned in trying to help. I'm grateful when friends and family call to ask if we can get involved. But sometimes, you gotta wonder.

I got a message this week about a man who's mother works for a couple that cares a lot about helping other people. They are generous givers to lots of local charities who help “the less fortunate.” They wanted to help this man, so they turned to us.

Unemployed, struggling with mental health issues, the man had been in need of a medical procedure that he couldn't pay for. After a sibling took out a title loan on her car, the man got his procedure. A nonprofit group helped with utilities and food. My staff is now working with the man and his family to see what long-term assistance we can arrange for to get this family some financial stability.

But here's the part that still makes me shake my head in wonder: half of this power couple who contacted us works for an organization that is lobbying against health care reform. Like Billie Holiday sang: “You can help yourself, but don't take too much.”

In the United States of America, don't lose your health care. Because if you do, you are going to have to rely on “scraps of bread and such” to be tossed your way. You don't deserve health care. It's not a human right. It's a privilege, that “them that's got gets and them that's not will lose.”

God bless the child that's got his own.

Letters From Desolation Row, SC (part II)

My name is [withheld], I live in Westminster SC (Oconee County) and I was just wondering if you know any where that provides dental work for low income families I am willing to travel some where if need be.

I was going to apply for Medicaid I had to wait for our birth certificates to come in and about 2 days before they got here I got a letter in the mail saying that Medicaid no longer covers dental procedures.

Now I have a couple cavities that make me sick when I try to eat or do anything else for that matter. I have a prescription for Hydrocodone that the ER doctor gave me when I went there because my face was all swelled up from the infection in my tooth but I am a little worried about taking it because I breast feed my son and don't want to pass any of the drug to him but on the other hand if I don't eat then he don't get the nutrition he needs. I am stuck in a rough spot and need help to get out.

Can you help me or do you know any one else that might be able to ? Thank you so much for any and all help!

A Letter From Desolation Row

Every single day I hear from people around the state of South Carolina who are not getting by. I've always gotten letters like this, but now they come in waves. Here's the latest from Desolation Row.

I never thought I would have to write a desperate plea for help like I am doing and if you could take the time to read it I would appreciate it very much.

My name is [WITHHELD] and I live in Chester, SC and I have been affected like a lot of other people by the economic situation, but I have no hope for turning my situation around without help from total strangers.

I am 50 years old now, single and have no family, and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was 17 years old and this has not helped my current situation because I can not afford to get medication or even see a doctor because I have lost my drivers license because of a stupid thing I did 9 years ago (DUI). There is no work in the small town I live in and if there was I cannot drive a car because I cannot afford to get my drivers license back. (fines and SR22 insurance) I remodel homes, basically a handyman, when I was able to work. I have been trying to sell my 15 year old Mercury Cougar on Craigslist to get some cash but have not had any luck at all.

I am not eligible for unemployment and cannot get to Social Services to apply for food stamps. My only real friend lives an hour away and he can't take me to get food stamps because he is having a hard time also. Luckily, I own the single-wide mobile home I have, but I am not even able to pay the property taxes which are already overdue.

Basically, I am asking anyone that could help me out financially if you could find it in your heart to do so. My electric and phone bill is due and I need food, I just don’t know what to do anymore. If you cant, I appreciate you reading this letter, it was very hard for me to even write it. Even if you could say a prayer for me that would be great too. I hope the government does something soon to help people, I know some people that have it even worse then me. Thanks for taking the time to read this.