We asked Jaguara to tell us about the last couple of years. “I have chronic health problems. I have lung disease and Crohn’s disease. Over the last few years, I have lost count of how many times I have been admitted to the hospital. Mostly for repeat pneumonia infections. Because I was constantly getting admitted, my daughter lost a lot of school.
The last place we lived the owner wouldn’t make improvements or repairs and there was mold. He was aware of my lung condition before we moved in. I called code enforcement, I called fair housing, but the owner wouldn’t respond to them. I kept getting sick, so last September I spent 3 weeks in the hospital. I had lung surgery and my lease was up. We had to move. It was just my daughter and I. We didn’t have money to pay movers. So, we only took our personal stuff, we left everything in the apartment. We left everything behind.
I couldn’t work because I was in the hospital every other month. It was a hard road and we ended up homeless. I finally was approved for disability, but that took a while. I’m so blessed that my daughter has perfect health.
My daughter would have to take the bus from the hospital to school. It’s been a battle. We don’t have any family in the area. Before we were on disability, I didn’t have a car. So, we went everywhere on the bus. With my oxygen and everything we carried on the bus was way too much. We only allowed ourselves 1 bag each, because we had to carry it everywhere. From motel to motel. At one point we were up for almost 5 days. We had nowhere to go and in order to feel safe, we would sit in Denny’s at night and Starbucks early in the morning. We drank a lot of caffeine. We were waiting on money to get into another motel.
The shelters are tricky. It can be hard to get into a shelter. Many wouldn’t accept me because of my health. The medication shut down my immune system. Also, in most shelters, you must leave during the day, but I could barely get out of bed, I couldn’t leave.
We moved into this apartment in July. The last shelter we were in helped us get section 8 housing. Being in our own place is so much better. I can finally rest, the way I need to rest. ”
Furnishing Hope provided the furniture, kitchen supplies, bedding, and bath supplies and decor. They turned 4 walls and a roof into a home for Jaguara and her daughter. A home where they can rest, heal and start a new chapter.
