Depression, coupled with an old knee injury, left Ms. Taylor unable to leave her apartment to purchase food. By the end of April, her food stamps had run out and her supplies were low.
Thats when she called Childrens Aid, which is supported by The Fund, and her social worker at the Administration for Childrens Services. The groups provided Ms. Taylor with takeout to hold her over until she could get access to groceries, and, through The Fund, she received a $100 Stop and Stop gift card.
It was hard to do, she said of asking for help. But I said, This is something I need to do for me.
Ms. Taylor suffered from weight loss and felt too ashamed to go outside. But with encouragement from a friend, she began to emerge from her downward spiral. And after three months inside, Ms. Taylor came out for fresh air. Shes now studying for a license to become a security guard.
Mr. Sanchez is also emerging from his months in limbo. Last month, Mr. Sanchez had his kidney transplant, and today, hes feeling amazing.
Im almost afraid to speak on it because I dont want to jinx it, he said.
Since March, he feared that the stranger who had decided to donate her organ would back out. She didnt, and on Oct. 21, Mr. Sanchez received a new kidney as part of an eight-person donor swap that started in Pennsylvania and ended with Mr. Sanchez in the Bronx.
Even though things have been rough, I look at these little moments and say, Im going to be OK, said Mr. Sanchez, who now owes $10,000 in rental arrears. Who has a stranger offer them the gift of life? Those little things make me feel like, you know what, I cant complain. I could but Im going to chill because somebody is smiling on me.read more
Ailing and Skipping Meals. Then, ‘You Know, I Could Use a Hand.’
