This is an invaluable thread of comments. Speaking for myself, as someone who still thinks the opening of this thread is a 95% form letter aimed at raising quick money instead of mental health awareness, I want to thank everyone here for sharing their personal stories and experiences with health issues. Sadly, I also want to note that whoever posted the opening story of this thread appears to have already skipped the neighborhood without (thus far) bothering to acknowledge or thank any of her fellow West Seattle residents for their encouraging words about her it-isn’t-about-the-money awareness crusade.
I got a new car! So I am offering my 2002 Toyota Camry LE for $3,500 OBO. (Serious inquiries only, please!)
~ It PASSED its recent emissions (2017).
~ It has NEW TIRES as of Feb 2016.
~ It has a NEW BATTERY as of Nov 2017.
~ It has NEW FRONT BRAKES as of Jan 2016.
~ I own it out right and have a CLEAN TITLE.
~ It is SMOKE FREE (owned by a non-smoker).
~ I purchased this car 2014 and have the CAR FACTS from then- This car has always been ACCIDENT FREE!
As seen in the pictures, there are some COSMETIC issues. The cosmetic flaws did not bother me enough to get them fixed. Would be a great starter car for your teenager who might add additional bumps and bruises parking around Seattle.
My Toyota has always been dependable and still has plenty of miles and life left in it. (It has 102,000 miles on it.)
In the images or the interior, you can see the mileage is just above 102k, the interior is cloth and freshly cleaned, the driver’s side mirror is cracked but functional, and the driver’s side door handle piece has broken off but is rigged with a pull-string and fully functional as well.
Pictures seen in the craigslist post here: https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/2002-toyota-camry/6410095234.html
waynster.. true.. but not the happy holiday message i was hoping for :(
mark47n
yes.. you often need resources to find the resources that are out there…
unfortunately those resources are too often lacking by the time people realize they want help..
all the more reason to do everything we can to connect people with their own personal support systems.. where they have someone with the resources help them through the process
In my experience, going to the court for parking tickets is usually worth it. Out of the four times I’ve done so, three times they dropped the fine completely, and one time they dropped it down to $10. If the parking ticket was indeed something nitpicky, your chances are good. The time that they dropped it to $10, was when I expressed dismay at the $47 charge and admitted I had learned my lesson.
Mark47n — The part about the results of getting help being scary had never occurred to me, but it makes perfect sense. Thank you for sharing your insights.
The bottom line is until they the politicians and transportation heads can get the lone driver out of the car and find a way to get cost under control. Get a system that runs 24/7 including holidays. Goes all over towns not just main routes. Runs from Olympia to Everett
Bremereton to Seattle east to west west to east north to south south to north. Convince taxpayers to pay for it. Traffic will always be bad and getting worse…. face it we are all at their mercy…
http://www.gocomics.com/nonsequitur/2017/11/24
Appreciate the feedback! I do plan to go before the magistrate with photos. Maybe the fact that I honestly did not know I was committing an infraction plus bad signage, maybe they will knock some money off the ticket. I will post what happens after I see the magistrate.
There is back in only parking on 42nd, 4100 block, in front of Holy Rosary.
If you have the opportunity to go in front of the magistrate (not having had a car for 22 years am not sure if something like this can now be challenged online at some level) I would say do so. Before you head downtown to do so, maybe go back to the area and take pictures if you can. Maybe a wide shot showing where signage is and isn’t, and then something a bit closer up if the wording on the signage isn’t readable in the side shot.
I’d say to at least give it a try if your schedule allows. (Just remember you’ll have to pay for parking downtown unless you take the bus ;-) ).
Mike
My friend who doesn’t like many things likes tea. Other than the two Pike Place Market places I think of is there anywhere in West Seattle that carries a selection of bulk teas?
Thanks for your help.
I guess my point, Jan, is that, while this is difficult, there are resources available. The catch is that you have to seek them out, they won’t come looking for you.
JoB, The question of whether or not one seeks assistance is a relevant question, as is where that help should come from. There are resources but you have to find them. Alas, it can take resources to find the resources to find the resources to find the resources…….
I am not a person who is given to sympathy let alone empathy. I’ve never been terribly empathetic. I don’t however, believe that no one else should have help because I didn’t. I did, if you didn’t read carefully. Well, I sort of had help. I also shunned help from others out of paranoia and pure stubbornness.
When you get that help it can be hard to reconcile. You’ve been a hot wet mess your whole life and then, when the medications kicks in, you feel…different. It’s terrifying. You don’t feel like you. You don’t know who you are and it starts to feel like you are being controlled by others and it just snowballs from there.
Did I mention paranoia yet?
Desiree, I hope you get the help you need AND the help you want.
Here is my sad parking story. I tried to park in the back of the Trader Joe’s. Never was back there before, first time. The TJ back lot was full, but there was a street spot right across the street on the end, on the same side as the bowling alley. Did not see any signs about parking. Went to the store and came out to a $47 parking ticket because I pulled into that spot instead of backing in.
So here is my defense to the judge when I go: There are no signs on the end where I parked. In order to see a sign high up on a pole I would have had to walk 6 cars north and look up in the rain. I did not come from or walk in that direction and did not even look that way. The person who I parked next to was also parked head first so I did not question how I parked. BTW, they also got a ticket. Is there any other back-in parking only in West Seattle besides by the bowling alley? Do I have a case?
From e-mail:
Found at Madison MS playfield: 3 silver rings with various designs.
It looked like they were stolen along with some other items, then tossed. If you think they are yours, please reply with a description to:
kristinasparkle@gmail.com
Hi – this is a section for job listings, not advertisements for services. Thank you.
• We are looking for a volunteer cashier on Saturdays from 10am-1pm. If you are friendly, helpful, and enjoy working with the community, this could be a fun role for you.
We are open seven days a week, have flexible hours, and a fun team of volunteers.
The STOP N’ SHOP, is lucky to be the recipient of many wonderful donations from the community, ranging from furniture, clothing, and home décor. The proceeds provide financial support that keep the many wonderful programs running at the Senior Center of West Seattle.
Please complete our online application at https://scws.typeform.com/to/DBaLgg or contact the Volunteer Coordinator, at 206-932-4044 or via email at sarah@soundgenerations.org to learn more!
it’s hard, isn’t it.. finding like minded couples to do things with when our life is no longer organized by work/church/kids/etc.. especially if you are new to the area.
In spite of the overwhelming evidence on our streets there is this pervasive notion that a safety net actually exists and that if a person just tried they too could be in housing.. have SSI or SSD income and proper medical care.
I so wish it was true…but the truth is that i know lots of people for whom this is a vicious lie.. people with housing vouchers who still can’t find housing and lose their vouchers.. people who are on a waiting list for housing.. one step from being evicted from apartments they can’ afford.. given the choice of housing or medication.. no money for both… and who literally can’t get medical care until they have a life threatening trip to the emergency room that results in long term care.
No.. Americans shouldn’t be getting healthcare through go fund me sites. They shouldn’t have to beg for the money to get from where they are to where they can get help. but they do.
There are so many people in need.. so many stories.. that we each have to decide whether we can help the person/story that just popped up in front of us… and it’s not an easy decision…
but.. turning our backs and focusing on what should be done won’t help anyone.
should there be a litmus test for who we help in this community and how long we continue to help them? Is there some point where they have had “enough” help and if so what happens to them when we decide that their asking is making us uncomfortable?
these are not easy questions to answer. I struggle with them nearly every day.
And every day i am thankful not to have to be on the asking end of this equation.
22blades…yes, thanks for the clarification. Regarding transportation. I no longer take Metro. They have time and time again directed me to at least 2 connections from nearby Calif and Admiral to downtown, specifically 3rd and Seneca. Then they nicely informed me to walk from there to 7th and Madison, where most of my appointemnts are. I’m 70, I walk currently with a walker. Yeah, good luck with that !. I most always take the Senior Services Hyde Shuttle to that area…It’s free, with donations if you choose. You have to plan in advance, and at times a 1 hour appt can take 5 hours because of pick up times. So, I get where you’re coming from. And it sucks. This city wants to be moving forward, a livable city for everything. I have learned that if they remain this friendly with developers (they never met one they don’t like), we will forever be in the little leagues. Will our new mayor change that? Remains to be seen. Money talks, doesn’t it?
What’s right and what you can absorb are two entirely different things, aren’t they? :(
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This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by JanS.
Mark47n…I get the cynicism…especially after the vote today that will decimate healthcare in this country for both young and old. Those people…McCain, Collins, Flake, etc., etc., despite their story and lambasting of our current regime, still vote party lines. As someone I know said…They are not our friends, and don’t ever believe their lip service :(
Jeannie…thank you…now I’m blushing :)
Mark47…my daughter was recently, at age 36, diagnosed with Bi-polar 2. She is on meds, and seeing a doc periodically. You have been through a lot…it’s not easy being a survivor. And you have come out on this end a stronger person. Desiree has 3 years here, and is still learning, I’m sure what is out there. I have read her GoFundMe page, and come away from it believing she’s legit. Sometimes we just need that extra help. If I was going to give her advice, i would point here in the direction of a Social Worker who could help her through the “system”. She just may not have knowledge about what may be out there to help. The “system” can be pretty daunting at times, time consuming, and not at all easily helpful in getting you through the steps. I still fight with them at times. This is aimed at Michael Waldo, too. Maybe, Michael, you can pick your friend’s brain for direction/suggestions, and pass them on, or have her come here and pass them on.
Forest…thanks for that. The struggle continues, at times :) Don’t be too harsh on the OP…she’s new here, and is sincere, IMO. I truly believe she is a bit overwhelmed, and may not know how to play the “system”. And believe me, it’s a game that can throw up obstacles in your way at times. Not for anyone to tread lightly.
We are a laid back, easy going couple, both in our early 60’s.
We are in good shape and stay active. We enjoy many activities around our area and would enjoy some new friends to explore with us. Road trips, Concerts, shows, dinners, BBQ’s, hiking, camping, trivia nights, movies, etc.
Lets have some fun. —-NO SEXUAL OR FINANCIAL INTEREST—–
No worries. I still feel bad I wrote it in a way it got misconstrued. Goes to show, that I / we should put a little more care into how and what we write.
P.S. My situation got worse. I am able to absorb this situation, but a person with less means could easily go down the slippery slope financially. Transactions gone bad like this can lead to people really depending on infrastructure like public transit for essential mobility.
I have a friend who is Bipolar with schizoid tendencies. She has been hospitalized 20 times in the past 30 years. She gets SSI, food stamps, and lives in a very nice one bedroom apartment in public housing. She uses her medicaid to see a therapist and a psychiatrist free once a month at a community clinic. She only pays $10 a month for her therapy drugs. All here in Seattle. There really is no need to beg. There are resources out there.
