Homeless woman and her cat are living in a sport utility vehicle
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Bundled up against the cold and moments after awakening from sleep, Patricia Thomas talks to visitors to her home, her SUV, that she and her 14-year-old cat Tasha share these days. Thomas spends most of every day, and night, in the vehicle.
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After spending the night in her SUV, Patricia Thomas uses a cup of coffee to warm her hands while talking to a Gazette reporter.
The Poor Among Us
This is the latest installment in a series of occasional stories on homelessness and poverty in Janesville.
The stories will report on homelessness as it affects families, employment, transportation and even the minds, moods and souls of the homeless. The series also will examine how poverty manifests itself in Janesville.
We plan to explore the issues from the street level and examine how social services are working—or not working—for people in need.
JANESVILLE — As shoppers trekked across the frozen Wal-Mart parking lot on a cold Monday morning, Patricia Thomas was waking up in her SUV.
Thomas’ eyes, instantly alert, darted to the left and right. She rolled down the window of her Chevrolet Blazer, pulled a thin blanket over her vinyl coat and wiped a hand across her face.
On the passenger seat lay Thomas’ companion, a snow white, 14-year-old cat named Tasha.
Tasha rolled over on a folded blanket, blinked his eyes—one yellow, one cloudy blue—and stretched open a huge front paw with eight claw-tipped toes.
“See how many toes? Twice as many as normal. He’s a very unique cat,” Thomas said, smiling at Tasha.
Thomas, 62, doesn’t smile much except when talking about Tasha. For more than a year, the unemployed woman and her cat have lived in the red Blazer.
Thomas and Tasha share resources, two front seats and a complicated web of circumstances that keep them on the move from town to town, parking lot to parking lot.
Whether it’s a catch-22 or a self-imposed exile, Thomas and Tasha are a pair in limbo. They’re alone together.
Thomas said she lost her town of Dane home and five-acre property to foreclosure after losing her job at a Madison factory and then at FedEx between 2006 and 2008.
Thomas was a lifelong Dane County resident who worked at factories and package-handling facilities all her adult life. She said her only income now is just over $1,000 a month in Social Security disability insurance.
She’s given up looking for work, and she’s been in Janesville, staying in local parking lots, mainly because the police here leave her alone. She said people seem kinder than in larger cities where she has been homeless, including Madison.
Thomas’ goal is to save up money to buy a modest house in the $60,000 to $80,000 range, which she believes she could afford on her income. Until then, she’s choosing to stay homeless with Tasha—either in the Blazer or at a homeless shelter.
Trouble is, Thomas can’t find a homeless shelter in Rock County.
She’s unwilling to part with Tasha by giving the cat to a pet shelter or a foster family.
Two shelters Thomas has contacted, House of Mercy in Janesville and Sparrow’s Nest in Beloit, won’t take her in—mainly because of Tasha. Both organizations have strict no-pet policies, said House of Mercy Director Shirley Van Horn and a volunteer coordinator at Sparrow’s Nest who would only identify himself as John.
Sparrow’s Nest doesn’t allow pets because of liability and because the shelter doesn’t have enough room to accommodate animals, John said.
Van Horn said House of Mercy, which offers temporary housing to families, doesn’t allow pets because some shelter guests might be allergic to them. She said House of Mercy is in talks with a local nonprofit that might provide temporary foster services for animals owned by homeless people staying in shelters.
But that wouldn’t help Thomas because she’s unwilling to give up Tasha for even a short time.
“People who own a pet and then just throw them away are irresponsible. I wouldn’t do that to Tasha. Never,” Thomas said.
She said she’ll keep Tasha the rest of the cat’s life, and she’ll likely never get another pet.
“This has been hell on me and him. A car is no place to live,” Thomas said.
Another shelter Thomas contacted, Hands of Faith in Beloit, wouldn’t house her and Tasha because it only accepts families and people with dependents, Director Jeff Hoyt told The Gazette.
A cat doesn’t count as a dependent. That’s blistering irony to Thomas, who said she sacrifices a lot to pay for food, litter, veterinarian care and medication for Tasha, who she said has pain and limited mobility because of arthritis.
Thomas said she spends $60 a month just for pet arthritis medicine, which she injects into Tasha daily. Thomas said she’s stubborn about socking away all she has left in an attempt to get a loan for a permanent home.
Her insurance pays for a number of medicines she must take for diabetes and high blood pressure. But she doesn’t leave enough aside to eat well herself.
“It’s garbage I eat from bargain stores. Chips, things like that,” Thomas said.
Recently, she said a Janesville Realtor steered her toward PATH, a federally funded program through Rock County that offers social services and locates permanent housing for homeless people with mental illnesses or drug and alcohol dependencies.
Thomas said she doesn’t use drugs or alcohol, but she has struggled with depression and anxiety her whole life and currently isn’t being treated. She said she developed a fear and distrust of people from years of physical and sexual abuse as a child.
PATH paid to put up Thomas and Tasha at a Janesville motel during a spate of frigid weather a few weeks ago, said Kent Hubbard, supervisor of outpatient counseling for PATH in Rock County.
He said it was critical to get Thomas and her cat out of her vehicle because the weather had become dangerous.
Hubbard wouldn’t specifically discuss Thomas’ case, but he acknowledged that PATH ended services for Thomas when caseworkers learned she had access to financial resources.
He said Thomas’ circumstances are fairly common, although he said it’s relatively rare for a pet to be a main driver in the choice to remain homeless.
“It’s not unusual that some choose not to use some resources that are available to them.
“Maybe they’re trying to save up some money for a specific plan, and they’re willing to be in a shelter or live in a vehicle to do that,” Hubbard said.
Thomas said mental illness and substance abuse are common among the homeless. He estimated that those are the main factors in about 30 percent of homeless cases.
Thomas said her mistrust of people only grew by what she calls mistreatment by police and a string of landlords in her recent years of joblessness and poverty. She says she no longer wants to deal with landlords and she's become soured with living in rental properties.
Until October of last year, she and Tasha were living in a heated warehouse in Sun Prairie where a landlord allowed her to stay and store belongings from her foreclosed home.
Then, Thomas said, area police told her she couldn’t live in the warehouse because doing so violated city rules.
Thomas said she moved out, put her belongings in Madison storage units and began living in her Blazer with Tasha. Then her things started disappearing from storage. Next, she said, she lost access to the units. She couldn’t say whether it was for nonpayment.
“They glued the locks or something. It cost me $2,000 to get the stuff and move it to another storage place. So I was back to square one,” Thomas said.
Thomas hopes her story will prompt someone to provide a service where homeless people can live with their pets—at least long enough to get on their feet.
It’s a hope Thomas shares for herself and Tasha each night as she falls asleep in her SUV with the feline nestled under blankets, against her chest.
“I’m choosing to live in a car for both of us,” she said. “Tasha’s the only thing that keeps me going ahead. I can’t leave him. He’s old, and he needs somebody to take care of him.”
Thomas dreams of a home in the country, just like the one she had in the town of Dane. Thomas could stretch her legs once in a while, and Tasha could live out his days sleeping in the grass, not on the front seat of an SUV that needs repairs.
“Maybe I can get a place, but probably not in the country,” she said. “That’ll probably never happen again.”
Feb 14, 2013 at 4:48 p.m.
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She should have bought my van. It was very roomy and comfortable for one person to live in...and we sold it at a very reasonable cost. Both her and Thomas could stretch out in comfort in that thing. Just wasn't the best on gas.
Feb 14, 2013 at 4:45 p.m.
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"City Ordinance 10.36.050 . . . illegal to sleep in any vehicle on a street, parking lot, or private residence from the hours of 10pm-6am
For real? I can't sleep in my car in my driveway b/t 10pm and 6am? Why the heck would anyone care? I guess that I was breaking the law the when I slept in van at the MWHF and at Gibbs Lake when attending a group campout.
Feb 14, 2013 at 4:40 p.m.
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Sandman, I dare say that it sounds like her cat has it better than a lot of Janesville pets! So quit passing judgment on the quality of her cats life! Sounds like she goes without a lot, but makes sure her cat has it's food, medicine and vet care.
Feb 12, 2013 at 6:29 p.m.
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(This comment was fed donut holes by the site staff)
Feb 12, 2013 at 2:54 p.m.
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woody...people trying to better their lives is a concept that you are not familiar with. You have no experience doing that.
Feb 12, 2013 at 2:38 p.m.
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woody=juvenile
Feb 12, 2013 at 12:07 p.m.
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why must all you clowns and you know who you are turn everything into a political debate? This woman hit tough times possibly her fault, possibly not, but politicizing it is irrelevant, someone posted something interesting she is choosing to live her life as she wants in the biggest display of freedom possible, good for her, is it everyones cup of tea probably not but if she wants to do this so be it. To automatically blame 'society' for her situation is just as ignorant we still have some control over our lives and the most liberating thing you can do is accept the successes and failures of that control.
Feb 12, 2013 at 11:58 a.m.
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donna said "I volunteer with a group of people that are trying to better their lives."
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LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL
Feb 12, 2013 at 11:42 a.m.
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(This comment was removed from a Yugo by the site staff)
Feb 12, 2013 at 11:22 a.m.
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carlitosway I completely agree with that I am not wealthy either and after I lost everything I have made it a point to help people in need whenever I can, whenever I hear through friends of people struggling due to various reasons we get gift cards or send cash their way, not a lot but we hope it helps.
Feb 12, 2013 at 5:17 a.m.
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janesvillian....I personally don't care where she lives if that is what she really wants to do. I was responding to all of you posters who think its such a shame that society "has done this to her." If she wants to live in her car then fine as long as she has to follow all the laws the rest of us do. In my last post I said SHE has to do something (if she doesn't like living in her car). So you can cut the lecture to me.
Feb 11, 2013 at 10:49 p.m.
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Dream on...I feel sorry for the cat who is forced by it's owner to endure this existence!
Get a J-O-B.
Feb 11, 2013 at 10:19 p.m.
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my question also,anyone that can work,shouldnt get disability,our system is being sucked dry now,because of this.
Feb 11, 2013 at 7:49 p.m.
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It's a good thing Romney didn't win or she would have lost her 1000 a month!
Feb 11, 2013 at 4:35 p.m.
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"City Ordinance 10.36.050 . . . illegal to sleep in any vehicle on a street, parking lot, or private residence from the hours of 10pm-6am." Evidently Thomas is managing to stay a couple steps ahead of the law. Not to mention that a Chevy Blazer affords precious little protection from a nut with a gun. I wish that Thomas would reach out for help. She's placing herself and her pet in harm's way.
Feb 11, 2013 at 4:29 p.m.
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"find a different city to find work." An unemployed sixty-two-year-old woman living in a Chevy Blazer with her cat would have to find a different planet to find a job.
Feb 11, 2013 at 3:09 p.m.
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partyof4: 340.01(31) is not a law. It's a definition of the term "Motor bus." Was that a typo?
Feb 11, 2013 at 2:59 p.m.
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partyof4- thanks for that. I wondered if legal during the day. People sleep in the park off Holiday. Looks good.
Feb 11, 2013 at 2:59 p.m.
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donnaw I have opened my door to many people and ask nothing in return so they could get on their feet. I am not wealthy sometimes I just get by and until you have had to live without you will never understand how it feels and to give others a chance even if you have little is doing something. I just have HEART and Love for the common people, who I have a time or two, been where they are at, Open your heart once and maybe learn something beyond the negative you appear to have in your heart.
Feb 11, 2013 at 2:25 p.m.
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donnaw, just remember, you volunteered to display your callousness in public. And pretty clearly she does not "need" to do something merely to please you, or any other of the spiteful people of the world. If she wants to keep her pet, and endure the deprivation of living in a vehicle, isn't that an exercise of personal freedom that you and all your pals think is the supreme principle of our great country? How quickly you devolve into imposing societal mandates, for no clear reason or justification that you can cite, beyond the obvious fact that you don't like it.
Feb 11, 2013 at 2:19 p.m.
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She could be living in HUD housing they will except cats and the cost is only 30% of your income.....waiting list is generally only a couple months, no excuse for living in car
Feb 11, 2013 at 2:06 p.m.
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killngrill-definately illegal it is statute statute 340.01(31) and Janesville City Ordinance 10.36.050 which says it is illegal to sleep in any vehicle on a street, parking lot, or private residence from the hours of 10pm-6am.
Feb 11, 2013 at 1:25 p.m.
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analert...well, in two years she could still be living in her car or get to the top of the list. But she needs to do something.
Feb 11, 2013 at 12:35 p.m.
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jonnyreb6977,
thank you so much for your post.
Social Security is phasing out mailing check's. They are using direct deposit as a form of disbursement.
My hope is that Ms.Thomas & Tasha can soon find a place to call their own.
Feb 11, 2013 at 11:11 a.m.
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yes I know about direct deposit but most places want a address. Where is the debit card sent? MAybe she has a PO box or uses a family member for address. I am not trying to be mean. She has income there is no reason to be living in a car.
Feb 11, 2013 at 11:08 a.m.
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Donnaw- If you truly work with people to help them improve their lives and find the resources, you would know that there is a 2 to 3 year waitng list for section 8 housing.
Feb 11, 2013 at 11:07 a.m.
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frogger: Ever hear of direct deposit????? Social Security is phasing out checks and using directly depositing money into a bank account or on a debit card.
Feb 11, 2013 at 10:26 a.m.
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There are several HUD section 8 housing apartments for low income seniors in Janesville. They have Meals on Wheels, etc.
Feb 11, 2013 at 10:23 a.m.
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I think ALLin said it best and can be applied to almost every thread on this site.
Feb 11, 2013 at 10:10 a.m.
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If she gets $1000 a month from soc sec why doesn't she rent something. They have that rent assistance program where it is about $100 a month out of her pocket. Where do they send this check if she doesn't have an address?
I love my kitties too but this isn't a nice home for a kitty either. Let somebody watch your kitty until you find a place.
You cannot get a home loan making $1000 a month on soc sec. Sad to say this.
misjoe- I agree seems to be her choice and doesn't have to be this way at all.
killngrill- it is illegal to sleep in your car. Read the article. Why is it becausse it isn't safe.
Feb 11, 2013 at 10:01 a.m.
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Yup, some of the comments make no sense. Instead of giving any type of help, crucify the victim. Well, I would just rather give another idea of what she could do. She could obtain a mobile home; perhaps in Rockvale on the far South Side with little down payment and she would afford food for her and her cat. It's just a thought and would rather offer advice than kick her while she's down.
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:27 a.m.
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to bad this happens to someone who has worked most of her life ,i know people who never worked much that are livin good, sad that in this country this happens iam sure she would work, hope things work out for her,icant think how cold it must be on the -0nights we have.
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:18 a.m.
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Hmmmmmmmm; unless you are drunk, I do not believe that it is illegal to sleep in one's automobile.
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:10 a.m.
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Its illegal to sleep in your car. I'm sure that since the gazette printed this the cops will be all over it!
Feb 11, 2013 at 6:53 a.m.
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" another person playing the system"...Sigma, blow your nose, your brains are dripping .
Feb 11, 2013 at 6:40 a.m.
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By the time Obama completes his 'changes', we will all be living in either a mansion or a blazer.
Feb 11, 2013 at 6:27 a.m.
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Sahmama- what is this story to you? Is this something you feel nothing toward? To me this is a news story of human suffering. People can say what they want about her choices but the real news story here should open the reader's eyes to her delema. It should make you think about your blessings and in turn have empathy toward those who, for whatever reason do not have the same comfortable living conditions that you do.
Feb 11, 2013 at 6:19 a.m.
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There are people like this everywhere....nothing new. These people made choices, didnt prepare themselves for life, it is what it is...another person playing the system.
Feb 11, 2013 at 6:10 a.m.
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Wow..news must be scarce if this is what the Gazette is posting now.
Feb 11, 2013 at 5:58 a.m.
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Yes, partisan politics must be dragged into everything now. The furor has changed our country forever. Our only hope is that some other country takes over our rotting nation.
The furor is the one who left the mess YOUR dear dear Bush and you show ignorance as well.
2 bedroom apts are out there for less than half of what she gets paid on
SSI hard to find however better than living in a vehicle. No more excuses. Getter done
You forgot the utilities electric/heat/sewer/water and common necessities and by the time these are paid,there nothing left to eat on nor money for anything else. Average rent for 2 bedroom 550 to 775 without utilities. The cheaper end not so nice of a place. She is trying to buy a place not pay someone else for HER home.
Feb 11, 2013 at 5:55 a.m.
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I hope all those of you who disagree with me are the first in line with your time and money to help someone who chooses to live in a car, rather than even get a minimum pay job and rent a small apt. How does she put gas in her car or pay insurance? Does she even have a valid license? Its sad that the only friend she has is a cat. I volunteer with a group of people that are trying to better their lives. We teach them where the resources are to help them but they have to try to get their lives together. Our program helps them set goals, make budgets, write resumes, etc. We offer encouragement that life can get better if you work at it.
Feb 11, 2013 at 5:39 a.m.
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Allin-You and some others in you're efforts to appear cute, should really look up the word furor. The way you are using it now only makes you look ignorant.
Feb 11, 2013 at 1:27 a.m.
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"She's made her choices and now she has to live with them. If she can work how come she's on social security disability?"- The usual.
Your ignorance is overshadowed only by your nastiness.
Feb 10, 2013 at 11:32 p.m.
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2 bedroom apts are out there for less than half of what she gets paid on
SSI hard to find however better than living in a vehicle. No more excuses. Getter done
Feb 10, 2013 at 11:25 p.m.
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Very sad story indeed. I will pray for this lady wish her all of the best in the future. One can only hope that she is able to find a warm place to sleep someday soon. Any other comments on here are just not even worth responding to.
I like the furor comments though, spoken by someone ignorant to the fact that fascism is far right wing ideology, comrade, or commie may be more appropriate when addressing the current president if you want to enjoy extreme ridiculous labels. This is the same group of people that insisted we would lose our sovereignty to the Un and said that we would be a socialist nation with Obama as president. Guess that was just a bunch of fear mongering crap. just like most of us thought.
Feb 10, 2013 at 10:25 p.m.
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And by the way JustAskMe and justBnice....you are not really fooling anyone by your' multiple screen names.
Feb 10, 2013 at 10:22 p.m.
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You two must be new to this venue.
Mr. Angus has had no qualms in the past to reply to online questions concerning the Gazettes position on questions similar to mine.
You guys have a stake in this? Afraid of an answer or what?
I would think you would welcome an explanation of a legitimate question.
Sounds like you might be afraid of something?
Feb 10, 2013 at 10:15 p.m.
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There is no need for Mr. Angus to reply to wiscoheat (who hasn’t the balls to pick up a phone and call and lose his cloak of anonymity).
Feb 10, 2013 at 10:12 p.m.
Feb 10, 2013 at 10:06 p.m.
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wisconsinheat - why use the blog to ask the editor questions? Call him on the telephone if you have the balls.
Feb 10, 2013 at 9:32 p.m.
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ALLin...If your only hope is "that some other country takes over our rotting nation"
RUN don't walk to the nearest border crossing and don't let the door hit you in the behind.
Feb 10, 2013 at 9:27 p.m.
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Or the story of the dogs falling through the ice.
Human suffering be damned...but animal suffering is sacred?
Just curious.
Anxiously awaiting a logical explanation.
Feb 10, 2013 at 9:21 p.m.
Feb 10, 2013 at 9:05 p.m.
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Yes, partisan politics must be dragged into everything now. The furor has changed our country forever. Our only hope is that some other country takes over our rotting nation.
Feb 10, 2013 at 8:50 p.m.
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Also note she has worked most of her life she paid in to Social security and IS ENTITLED TO GET IT. Thank God for Democrats at least they comprehend the needs of people with disabilities....
Feb 10, 2013 at 8:40 p.m.
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donnaw do you ever see anything but negative? If your negative self read the story she has disabilities and to get a job at her age and medical issues in almost zero. BTW to all you haters,and negative parasites, a Real person seen this story and gave this woman a place to live....This I know as the person is a friend..... God Bless that person and it is awesome to know there is positive people out side of this negative bunch on this page. God help all of you that live such perfect lives with your heads and hearts so deep in the sand of hate.
Feb 10, 2013 at 8:39 p.m.
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More help needs to be given to the severely depressed and mentally ill.
Feb 10, 2013 at 7:36 p.m.
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"There are some persons in this world, who,
unable to give better proof of being wise,
take a strange delight in showing what they think they have sagaciously read in mankind
by uncharitable suspicions of them."
Herman Melville
Feb 10, 2013 at 6:34 p.m.
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It says Thomas lost her job at a factory in Madison, so it's not very clear how much the economy here in Janesville can be blamed one way or another. Individuals like her who have lost what experts call their "attachment" to the workforce face long odds becoming re-employed even in a good economy.
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donnaw, clearly you are unaware that the government actually encourages SSDI recipients to work when and how much they can. There is some loss of benefits before income thresholds are crossed.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10095...
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But, I am not surprised at your attitude. I invite you to ponder this quote by author Herman Melville from 1854: "Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed." When you are employed, paying your bills, and anticipate no insurmountable emergencies, it is easy to presume that anyone can do anything if they just decide to. I am, however, intimately acquainted with people in many different circumstances of poverty or otherwise in need of assistance and getting to the point that they are is a long history of options closing off one by one.
Feb 10, 2013 at 5:41 p.m.
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She's made her choices and now she has to live with them. If she can work how come she's on social security disability?
Feb 10, 2013 at 5:39 p.m.
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Good God - Must partisan politics be dragged into everything????
Feb 10, 2013 at 5:39 p.m.
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This "Janesville" has really nothing to do with Bush at all. Nor really Obama for that matter. The main driver behind the economic collapse in the Janesville area was the close of the GM Plant which happened because GM failed to listen to and follow market trends, making fuel inefficient trucks and SUVs, as well as failing the quality test in comparison with foreign competitors.
This is Janesville under an outdated automotive company.
Feb 10, 2013 at 5:38 p.m.
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Perhaps she should head south...warmer weather will be better for her cat's arthritis, and she should try to find a different city to find work. Janesville is tapped out. Sounds like she has resources to fall back on, and it's more her choice to be homeless. I wish her and her cat the best.
Feb 10, 2013 at 4:52 p.m.
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I politely disagree. This is Janesville because of Bush as well as the economic collapse of the auto mobile industry.
Feb 10, 2013 at 4:20 p.m.
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This is Janesville on Obama.
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