The Mercury (Pennsylvania, USA)
Dahlia and her husband Ron have been struggling for years to support their two children ages 4 and 8.
Even though Ron has held down a steady job as a customer sales representative for 12 years, the family can barely make ends meet. Dahlia's health problems and the related medical bills have left them with touchy finances.
Their troubles started about seven years ago when their son, Jude, was only a year old.
Dahlia, an immigrant from Cambodia, began experiencing mysterious medical symptoms that made it difficult for her to walk. She visited her doctor, who, unable to make a diagnosis, sent her to a team of specialists in Philadelphia.
She underwent a battery of tests, and, over a period of three years, was seen by a number of doctors who ultimately concluded that Dahlia was suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome.
"I grew up in Cambodia and went through the war," Dahlia explained in a recent telephone interview with The Mercury. "The doctors say I am lucky. Many people who have been through what I went through wind up in a mental institution."
Her childhood was marked by extreme poverty and abuse that left deep, emotional scars. She came to America in 1985, sponsored by a religious organization, and today she is grateful for the life she shares with her husband Ron and their two young children, Jude and Eleanor.
Ron has been deeply supportive of her.
He's worked for a large firm as a customer service representative for more than a decade, and sometimes puts in long hours.
He earns a decent salary, but it's not enough to fully support the family of four, especially since he is still paying off medical bills that were not covered by their insurance.
"My husband is a hard worker. He does what he can for our family, but it's a hardship for him to feed all four of us," Dahlia acknowledged.
She wishes she could help make ends meet in some way, but she still has symptoms that make it difficult for her to work. And right now, the family only has one car, so she also faces transportation difficulties, as well.
Therefore, she devotes herself fully to raising Jude and Eleanor. Jude is now in school full-time, but she can't afford to send Eleanor to a preschool. Instead, she teaches the 4-year-old at home daily to make sure she'll be ready for kindergarten next year.
The family has fallen behind on many of their bills, and even the rent on their small two-bedroom apartment is a month overdue. Dahlia knows she can't spend precious money buying her children toys for Christmas.
"My daughter, she has a long list of things she wants. Someone gave her a My Little Pony toy and now she wants all of them," Dahlia said, chuckling slightly. "But my son, he's grown so much this year, he just needs clothes. He especially needs a winter coat."
She's thankful that Operation Holiday can help her provide her children with a few gifts that she knows will be much appreciated on Christmas morning.
While Dahlia can see no immediate relief from their financial difficulties, she remains optimistic that the coming year will be a better one for her and her family.
"I'm hoping that we can get out of debt and move into a larger home someday," she said. "I don't give up hope and I don't give up faith."
The challenge for Operation Holiday is greater than ever in this 19th year of its existence. The program, which began in 1991 at The Mercury, has distributed more than $1 million in food and gifts to thousands of needy families during the holiday season, all through the generosity of readers.
Last year, Operation Holiday raised more than $59,000 to provide food and gifts to 150 families and 403 children. The program is completely managed and administered by employees of The Mercury. There is no overhead, and every dollar is distributed locally to families referred from local service agencies.
The program has been expanded this year to 200 families with more than 500 children. Each family will receive food for a holiday dinner and staples for the pantry. Gift cards will be provided to families to buy gifts for each child under the age of 17.
Operation Holiday is funded solely by readers' contributions. The names of all those who contribute except those who wish to remain anonymous will be printed in The Mercury between now and Dec. 24. All contributions are tax deductible.
Contributions may be mailed or brought to the offices of The Mercury, P.O. Box 484, Pottstown PA 19464. Make checks payable to Operation Holiday.
Even though Ron has held down a steady job as a customer sales representative for 12 years, the family can barely make ends meet. Dahlia's health problems and the related medical bills have left them with touchy finances.
Their troubles started about seven years ago when their son, Jude, was only a year old.
Dahlia, an immigrant from Cambodia, began experiencing mysterious medical symptoms that made it difficult for her to walk. She visited her doctor, who, unable to make a diagnosis, sent her to a team of specialists in Philadelphia.
She underwent a battery of tests, and, over a period of three years, was seen by a number of doctors who ultimately concluded that Dahlia was suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome.
"I grew up in Cambodia and went through the war," Dahlia explained in a recent telephone interview with The Mercury. "The doctors say I am lucky. Many people who have been through what I went through wind up in a mental institution."
Her childhood was marked by extreme poverty and abuse that left deep, emotional scars. She came to America in 1985, sponsored by a religious organization, and today she is grateful for the life she shares with her husband Ron and their two young children, Jude and Eleanor.
Ron has been deeply supportive of her.
He's worked for a large firm as a customer service representative for more than a decade, and sometimes puts in long hours.
He earns a decent salary, but it's not enough to fully support the family of four, especially since he is still paying off medical bills that were not covered by their insurance.
"My husband is a hard worker. He does what he can for our family, but it's a hardship for him to feed all four of us," Dahlia acknowledged.
She wishes she could help make ends meet in some way, but she still has symptoms that make it difficult for her to work. And right now, the family only has one car, so she also faces transportation difficulties, as well.
Therefore, she devotes herself fully to raising Jude and Eleanor. Jude is now in school full-time, but she can't afford to send Eleanor to a preschool. Instead, she teaches the 4-year-old at home daily to make sure she'll be ready for kindergarten next year.
The family has fallen behind on many of their bills, and even the rent on their small two-bedroom apartment is a month overdue. Dahlia knows she can't spend precious money buying her children toys for Christmas.
"My daughter, she has a long list of things she wants. Someone gave her a My Little Pony toy and now she wants all of them," Dahlia said, chuckling slightly. "But my son, he's grown so much this year, he just needs clothes. He especially needs a winter coat."
She's thankful that Operation Holiday can help her provide her children with a few gifts that she knows will be much appreciated on Christmas morning.
While Dahlia can see no immediate relief from their financial difficulties, she remains optimistic that the coming year will be a better one for her and her family.
"I'm hoping that we can get out of debt and move into a larger home someday," she said. "I don't give up hope and I don't give up faith."
The challenge for Operation Holiday is greater than ever in this 19th year of its existence. The program, which began in 1991 at The Mercury, has distributed more than $1 million in food and gifts to thousands of needy families during the holiday season, all through the generosity of readers.
Last year, Operation Holiday raised more than $59,000 to provide food and gifts to 150 families and 403 children. The program is completely managed and administered by employees of The Mercury. There is no overhead, and every dollar is distributed locally to families referred from local service agencies.
The program has been expanded this year to 200 families with more than 500 children. Each family will receive food for a holiday dinner and staples for the pantry. Gift cards will be provided to families to buy gifts for each child under the age of 17.
Operation Holiday is funded solely by readers' contributions. The names of all those who contribute except those who wish to remain anonymous will be printed in The Mercury between now and Dec. 24. All contributions are tax deductible.
Contributions may be mailed or brought to the offices of The Mercury, P.O. Box 484, Pottstown PA 19464. Make checks payable to Operation Holiday.
11 comments:
VEry nice, heart felt story.
How can post-traumatic stress syndrome affect the way she walk? Come on she was able to walk 7 years before so why does it impact her now? Maybe she have Myasthenia Gravis, Lupus, Crohn's Disease, something that connected to immune system and these illness are not easy to detect. I don't believe that stress cannot make you walk unless you are too weak yourself to overcome it!
Post-trauma stress syndrom could be reversed if she is willing to do it. She shall remember that stress only happen if she would stick her mind in the matter and it will do no good but more harm. Millions of Khmer lived though the Khmer Rouge era, and what they do is to move on with life. Change lifestyle is another thing she can do for her life. If she can earn to meet day end needs then she shall learn how to budgeting in another word live within our mean. Shall drop non-essential needs and save for the rainy day - bills.
Stress may be triggered her immune system alphaphoetic cell T2 and 3 to attack her either peripheral or central nervous system. In her case the ATP2 or 3 is likely invade the gamma-beta cells that lay cover ciatic nerve membrane. It is not to destroy the membrane but rather infect or inflame so the her immune response will overwhelming the attackers ATP2 and 3.
To treat she should go to physical therapist at least three days per weeks for the next three months. Vit D 5000 UI should be considered along with Vit A. She may be a good condidate Methex-inferron injection inconjunction with Therapty.
she is in my praise and hope.
ask bun rany hun...for red cross to help you....
3:25 that's Khmer attitude! happy to hear the other khmer sicks, very sad!
Many Khmer people are left untreated with the medical conditions (physical and mental) due to their unimaginable pain and suffering before, during and after the Khmer Rouge era. Millions of them continue to live in much worse condition than any one of us who are lucky enough to be in America.
We live in the so-called richest nation on earth, but we cannot find a decent healthcare system that can take care of our own wellbeing. Things can get real bad here, but at the end, we can always find the way to cope with our problems. There are some helps available in the US, but none in Cambodia.
Nevertheless, all Cambodians need to find some treatments for our individual trauma because everyone one of us have been effected by the past and present ill-treatments.
Cambodian government officials can find the money to build many villas and buy luxurious cars for themselves but they rather let their fellow citizens to be starved, sick and dead.
Shame!
life sometimes hard. does not matter where you are. life sometimes can go well, in a sudden life can turn upside down. this can happen to anyone any where. wish you the best for this xmas.
May be you guy can take her to Physical therapist or to see a
psychologist. May be the stress manifest itself physically. It is unfortunate not having any insurance to cover her sickness.
For the four year old can go to the kindergarten next year. Pre school is not required. The child will learn so much more from mother now. This is the best time for the child to have close bond with mom and dad. Best wish for your family.
Mreas prov
Good luck to you Dhalia.....you may consider changing diets...perhaps
MS?
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