In a perfect world we all have money put aside to cover problems like illness ,job losses etc.Sixteen years ago I was one of these people that had my life turned upside down when I was in a serious Car Accident.
It took me 5 weeks in hospital ,another 5-6 months of daily therapy before i could take a cup of coffee and drink it without wasting on myself.My husband and i had 31 months of income loss ,I was pregnant with our daughter at that time so he had to take care of her and me.I also missed the first days and weeks of my daghter’s life.
I sued as I was a passenger and the car i was in was hit side on by Coach bus in the coldest day of february 1992.We went in debt $78,000 for lawyers bills ,we had to sell our house and Buy another one at a time when markets were not great.My parents gave us many thousands as did other family members to keep things going and I am sure there were people who may have thought we had no right living in a house as nice as we had then.
It is very tough when you live one way and have to move to another lifestyle
and it has nothing to do with poor planning.I thank god every day for my parents sticking with us for nearly 4 years of fights and courts .My insurance company offered me $24,000 plus expenses to settle ,my full time employee was argueing with the car insurance who should pay my wage loss benefits so I went without any income for 31 months before my work gave me a lump sum paycheck for the 31 months and my monthly benefits kicked in.It took another two years of struggling before the financial nightmare ended for me and I won my case in court.
I wouldn’t take anything of that back now as it has made me a stronger person and it is what drives me today.I hope the help Pat has been give here to get her life sorted out will help her get to a self sufficent level and of course her husband stays well.
As for cars , I use a wheelchair and in last 5 years haven’t found one for under $50,000 that can carry the family and the wheelchair.Sometimes cars are necessary as not all of us can take the bus,walk or ride a bike.
My first apartment was 315sq feet -16×20 with a bathroom ,kitchen and living/bedroom in one.First year i slept on a sofabed then it broke and i slept on the floor for 2 years while I saved money for a house.I think we have all been there ,at least the over 40 group here.Don’t feel bad Pat ,it is called life 