I am a cancer survivor and a heart patient. I am retired and on disability. 25 years ago I had a good job, owned my own home and had 3 wonderful kids. 24 years ago I met and married a man that literally destroyed me and my family. He was sauve with a southern charm that was irresistable. Within a few months of being married; he convinced me to sell my home and use the money to move to another state. After moving, drastic changes begin to occur.
My new husband couldn't seem to hold a job. The money from the sell of my home was spent and we ended up living in our car with 3 kids. I should have seen the light then, but, the thought of being alone again pushed me to try and stick it out. Within 1 year we had moved 9 times and mainly lived in shelters. My kids had to wear dirty clothes and go hungry.
He found a job working on the boats and we ended up settling in Florida. Shortly afterwards he became abusive. He started out being verbally abusive and it quickly turned to physical abuse. I lived in constant fear because he beat me and put knives to my throat. I was on disability... afraid... and nowhere to go... so I took the beatings.
Later I was disgnosed with Parkinsons and placed on disability. This enraged him as he now had a wife that was a burden on him. He became more verbally abusive. He would come home and immediately begin the name calling. He would tell me I was worthless and suggest I kill myself. He tried to convince me I was losing it and should check myself into a looney-bin. He had me on the brink of suicide. He convinced me I was a burden to him and my kids and the world would be better off without me. I lost my self-esteem and will to live. This abuse continued for 19 years and I 'm not sure I'll ever recover from it.
In 2000, he left me for another woman. They're living high on the hog and I'm struggling to get by on Disability SSI and my retirement check. My daughter recently convinced me to try and buy a mobile home; so I could finally have a place to call my own. I applied and was denied. When I asked why I was denied, I found out my ex and his new wife used my social security number to purchase items and then not pay for them. In a nutshell... they destroyed my credit. They stole my identity. My kids are trying to get my credit straighened out. The credit bureau said I had to prove identity theft and that could take years; and I just don't know if I have those years.
I am asking for enough money to buy a small used trailer. I don't much money left from my disability check after I pay my rent and utilities. My rent is $350 a month... lights average $189... water $35.... phone $40. I get $634 a month to live on. That leaves me $20 a month ($5 a week) for household supplies, shampoo and toilet paper.
This isn't how I pictured my last years on earth. I am in my middle 60 and I look like I'm in my late 80's because of the stress and breakdowns that I've had to endure with my ex-husband and the illnesses I have. By the way, he caused his new wife to have a breakdown also. She filed a restraining order against him and has filed for divorce.
Could someone please help me. . I just want to be happy in my final years. A used trailer can be bought for $3500 or less. I realize I shouldn't have sold my home. But I was raised to believe marriage is forever and the man knows best. Obviously that isn't always true. Please help me to get back what was taken from me. Please show me I can trust people and there are still good people in this world.
