文章基本信息

标题：Poor sight precludes aid, career
作者：Becca Blond
期刊名称：Gazette, The (Colorado Springs)
出版年度：2000
卷号：Dec 12, 2000
出版社：Colorado Springs Gazette

Poor sight precludes aid, career

Becca Blond

Caroline lives in a garage with a mattress to sleep on and an electric heater to keep her warm.

But the garage is better than her last home - an old automobile.

Although Caroline, not her real name, has three years of training in floral design, she has been unable to hold a job because of cataracts in both eyes. This same problem has made applying for public assistance a nightmare.

In addition she has diabetes and high blood pressure.

"(Caroline) has applied for a variety of assistance in the past," said Barbara Jo Peterson, Caroline's counselor at the Pikes Peak Community Action Agency. "However, due to her sight, she has been unable to follow through with paperwork (and) consequently most assistance has been denied."

Caroline has applied for federal disability benefits before, but never had been given any aid.

"It was hard for me to read most of the paperwork because of my sight, and I can't really be reached by phone," Caroline told Peterson.

Caroline turned to the Pikes Peak Community Action Agency, one of 11 organizations that benefit from The Gazette-El Pomar Empty Stocking Fund, for help.

She needed dentures because she just had all but a few of her teeth pulled.

But the agency will be instrumental in not just getting Caroline dentures but in helping her get back on her feet.

The agency will help her apply again for disability benefits she may be entitled to.

"(Caroline), like many homeless people, has a great deal of difficulty negotiating the various policies and procedures of public assistance programs," Peterson said. "Therefore, personal advocacy services are extremely important."

Peterson hopes that, with help, Caroline will receive aid as well as the dentures to improve her appearance, health and self-esteem.

"A longer-term goal would be for her vision to possibly be improved by cataract surgery and then on to updated training and a renewed career in floral design," Peterson said.