Image Credit: pinterest.com
I found this link somewhere online last week, probably through Facebook. I like The Washington Post, for the most part. This was a fascinating story.
Here’s the link to the original story:
I hung on every word of the story. This woman, Wanda Witter, age 80, is the prime example of perseverance and determination!
She refused to give up. She was convinced that something was wrong, and was determined to fight it tooth and nail!
For me, if I were homeless at the age of 80, I don’t think I would have the same courage, determination, and spirit!
This story also cast a light on the homeless in Washington, D.C. It’s a lot worse than I ever imagined. Yes, I know D.C. is a major city, but seeing the numbers and facts about its homeless population was stark and grim.
However, seeing the story written with both sides of the coin – Good and bad, facts and figures – made it better.
For Wanda, this battle has gone on for 16 YEARS.
That’s completely unacceptable.
But, it was her reality. The story cited the backlog that the Social Security Administration has faced for a long time. It makes me upset and a bit more critical of the U.S. government and its agencies.
But, maybe that’s just me, coming off a long weekend of organizing a mountain of receipts, a wave of bills, tabulating monthly paychecks, plus arguing with agencies such as Social Security and the DMV.
Aside from all of that, I have good news to report.
Right before I published this post, I found an update to Wanda’s story!
Here it is:
I was thrilled that the Post did an update so quickly.
It warmed my heart, and put a tiny little bit of faith back in the system.
I’m celebrating Wanda’s success with her. I’m excited and happy that she persevered, never gave up, and got every single penny that she deserved (and, there’s probably more money down the line). According to the update, she wants to get dental implants to fix her top teeth, then go see her four daughters, plus grandchildren, that live in different states.
And that makes me a happy blogger today.
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
Hot Shot Headlines 
I love this!! Good for Wanda! 🙂
Thank you! Me, too!
I read about & posted this story to the political FB page I help admin. Unfortunately, as someone who fought with the SSA for 4 years for disability, including going to trial & getting a lawyer, I wasn’t surprised. As my father would colorfully say, “they don’t know their a** from a hole in the ground.”
I’m glad she got the money to which she was entitled, she got herself an apartment, & she survived a long, hard road on the streets.
Thanks for sharing, both the story and your own! It’s very sad. But, I’m glad she had a happy ending. I hope you did, too!
I’m far more happy for her than for myself. I had help & a roof over my house while I was struggling with the SSA.
&, yes, I did have a happy ending. It just took far too long.
That’s good 🙂 I’m glad you fought for what you deserved!