Diana

My name is Diana. I am 36 years old and I have a crippling disease called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), which eats my joints, since I was 3 years old. I’ve been hospitalized and had more surgeries than I can even count in my lifetime. And, if that isn’t enough, I’ve also had Fibromyalgia, which attacks my muscles, for the past 12 years. I am unable to work due to these challenges, which puts me on a tight income from Social Security.

Before I received Section 8 Assistance, life was a “Huge” struggle. I never knew where I was going to live or how I was going to make ends meet. I was able to work before I got the Fibromyalgia but I would have flare ups with my JRA, which would put me in the hospital, making me lose my jobs, in turn making me lose my place to live. I spent a lot of time staying with people but that never lasted very long. Turns out people are always willing to take your money but not willing to help when you get sick.

Growing up with the JRA, I was always told by doctors that I would be paralyzed and in a wheelchair by the age of 16 and would be in a nursing home-type facility….I would never be able to live or function on my own. But I decided early on that, yes, I have a crippling disease…not a death sentence. I was bound and determined to live as much of a “normal” life as possible and took on life as a challenge.

I have received Section 8 Assistance for the last 6 years now and I feel so blessed. I no longer have to worry where I’m going to live or how I’m going to make ends meet. I don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen when I get sick or end up in the hospital.

My life has been full of struggles but, thanks to the Section 8 program, living with my disabilities and all the challenges that come with them has been so much easier to deal with.

For me, this program has been life changing…a godsend. Thank you, Section 8!”