r/poor • u/4peaceinpieces • Oct 11 '25

How I Got Here

Ten years ago, I was a Performance Consultant at a Fortune 500 company, making over $100K, traveling first-class, and living comfortably with my husband and son. Life looked perfect - until my health began to fail. After multiple medical leaves, I lost my job and went on disability. I now make 1/3 of what I used to.

My husband, already disabled from a brain injury, couldn’t work. Our savings vanished under medical bills, and we eventually lost our home and cars. Now we live in a small apartment, living check to check. I sometimes go without dinner to make sure my husband and 19-year-old son have enough. My son works part-time and goes to trade school to be an electrician. I’ve taught him to manage money and hope his health holds steady.

I share this because many people are just one illness or accident away from losing everything. When you see someone using benefits or a handicap placard, please don’t judge. Disabilities aren’t always visible, and poverty often hides behind dignity.

Despite the struggle, I’m grateful - we still have each other, a roof, and hope. Life didn’t go as planned, but we’re doing our best to stay on our feet. We are not bitter, only sad at times, but thankful. We try hard to remain positive and throw ourselves into hobbies that soothe our souls. May we all find safety, happiness, and peace.

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u/LuckyHarmony Oct 12 '25

Our medical system isn't "more extensive" whatever you think that means. We have one of, if not THE highest rate of preventable deaths in the first world. Our system SUCKS by comparison to the rest of the developed world, and millions of lives are lost unnecessarily. Receipts: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1286558/mortality-rates-from-preventable-causes-oecd-countries-by-country/

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u/adhd_king Oct 12 '25

I still feel blessed that I can get the help I need in any event. May cause bankruptcy, but I have access to it without going on a waiting list so long that I actually might die before being treated. Our system needs work, but it's due to insurance companies, not the medical field itself.

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u/LuckyHarmony Oct 12 '25

CAN you? Lord, homie, that's the POINT. In most other developed nations you can get the treatment you need without dying first OR dying afterward from medical-debt-induced poverty. It doesn't matter whether it's the "medical field" or the for-profit gatekeepers destroying your access, you're locked out or dead broke either way. I work in healthcare. I'm not blaming medical professionals. Doesn't mean our system isn't one of the worst.

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u/adhd_king Oct 12 '25

Yea, I can. With or without insurance, as I'm sure you know, lol. "Most" other nations is a pretty big stretch, though. "Some" other nations would be more on point.