• Peg MeerkatzNeighbor

  • Augusta, GA

Former New Yorker resident of North Carolina for 7 years. Currently live in Fuquay-Varina NC. Single lesbian age 58 years. Worked as a Mental Health Addictions Counselor (MICA) for Catholic Charities for many years. 18 years ago forced to retire because of worsening multiple sclerosis. Also have Asperger's; ADHD; Learning Disabilities & host of other health problems. A head injury shortly after retirement caused the Asperger's & ADHD to worsen making my ability to interact in social situations extremely difficult. I relate well to animals particularly w dogs but people not so much.

Since moving to NC lost almost 180 lbs. Overall physical health improved. When I moved to Fuquay-Varina a year ago I knew the higher rent would be difficult to manage but I thought I could enter a job re-entry program (TICKET TO WORK). This program would allow me to earn a salary + keep my Social Security Disability for 9 months. Things did not work out as planned.

Before I moved here I broke my foot. Barely recovered from that I had a bad fall in my yard causing several broken bones (July 2019). By late Oct. 2019 very to enter TICKET TO WORK but then had a VERY LARGE KIDNEY STONE. Dr. explained a new procedure LITHOTRIPSY was a "SIMPLE" outpatient procedure to remove it. Developed Complications had a hematoma in my kidney ended up hospitalized.

Registered w job program for TICKET TO WORK planning on getting a job in Jan. 2020. Just before Christmas 2019 I found a lump in my left breast then CANCER found in lymph nodes = = = STAGE 4. 2/27 had a double mastectomy & lymph node removal. Will need Chemo & possibly radiation. Doctor's have put this on hold mostly bc my living situation currently is UNSTABLE & also bc of recent pandemic. Prior to my having the mastectomy I had to have a full body PET SCAN to see if cancer spread elsewhere. The PET SCAN showed no other cancer but we found the cause of the stomach problems that have plagued me for months; GALLSTONES. April 21 having surgery to remove gallbladder.

When I rented this house in APRIL 2019 I invested what $ I had inherited from a cousin in this house ($5,000+) when property manager agreed (verbally) this would be a long-term rental. I also agreed that I would be getting a full time job. As explained health issues have kept me from working. I informed the property manager of the cancer diagnosis (I was kicked out of TICKET TO WORK PROGRAM bc of it) & 3 days before surgery she informed me LEASE WOULD NOT BE RENEWED. I don't have $ to pay my bills let alone move I thought that I would be HOMELESS when lease ends on May 31. Now property manager is going to speak w me regarding possibly extending the lease.

$ (charities) that might help me pay overdue utilities are FROZEN bc of pandemic & I am told there will be no utility turnoffs. But I have other outstanding bills that won't be affected by pandemic that I can't pay. I know we are all due a stimulus check which will afford me the opportunity to catch up on these bills if the creditors will wait.

How I got in this situation was I have what is considered a VERY HIGH SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME (I began working & paying into social security at age 9). Living in New York where the cost of living was much higher I received Medicaid which covered EVERYTHING & paid for dental Rx copay's etc. I also had food stamps; a full time home health aid etc. North Carolina has a much lower cost of living. My social security disability monthly amount is considered TOO HIGH for me to qualify for any social service benefits. By not receiving the benefits I did in New York my out-of-pocket costs are much higher but North Carolina social services doesn't consider this. My only hope is that my health stabilizes so I can go to TICKET TO WORK & get a FULL TIME JOB.

I worked in sales for years & my previous work for many years was as a counselor (I was state certified in NY & NJ) when I go back to work this time I would like to get a job as a DOG TRAINER. When I moved from NY I had a small diabetic alert Service Dog, Esperanza. I had her professionally trained for Diabetes Detection but I did her basic training & access training. 2 years ago when she passed (12 years) of a rare form of blood cancer. I adopted a SPECIAL NEEDS DOG . Jack-Boy is Pit Bull & Wire Dachshund. At 1 1/2 years old he had been returned to the shelter 3x bc of behavioral problems. He WAS a handful.

When I first got him he wanted to attack anyone & everyone; dogs; humans didn't matter. They said he could not be near children. 2 years later Jack-Boy is the BEST BEHAVED DOG. He is gentle as a pussy cat. Loves other dogs (had 2 doggie brothers living w him now has 1) he LOVES KIDS. & he loves dressing up & posing for pictures. I really want to help other dogs like Jack-Boy. Too many dogs are euthanized for behavioral issues. As I said w the worsening Asperger's I really do relate better to animals than people.

I love computers; digital photography; technology gadgets & legos (building lego city)

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