tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55905476958339555362012-02-16T12:54:08.772-05:00One woman's journey through disability, job loss, homelessness and eventual homeownership.CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.comBlogger451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-74267508531580679422009-08-18T09:00:00.004-04:002009-08-18T09:27:18.391-04:00

It's been one hell of a summer!It's been many months (three to be exact) since I've last posted on this blog. A busy summer - yes! A summer of confusion, upheaval and filled with chaos? Most definitely.Quite frankly, it's difficult to compose when you are biting at the air, while running around in circles while trying to maintain your mental and physical health, manage a house, manage finances

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-73711464787773690262009-05-12T18:40:00.010-04:002009-05-13T01:54:19.615-04:00

Could this possibly explain why SSI and SSDI recipients will not receive a cost of living adjustment for the next two years? For me, at $65 per month, that is a loss of $1560.00! More denials at the first and second stages = increased homelessness! And, of course, who is going to be accused of mismanaging money...Social Security and Medicare finances worsen WASHINGTON (AP) -- Social

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-80209852894226773832009-05-09T19:04:00.014-04:002009-05-10T01:59:24.941-04:00

You forgot to mention in your e-newsletter...Every so often I get an e-mail from my Congressman Charlie Wilson of Ohio's 6th Congressional District. He usually gives a brief synopsis of a few statistics and then outlines what a good boy he has been in working for the constituents of our district.I haven't patted Chuck on the head yet but I have written to him and did get a response that he

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-7867277298526201232009-04-30T23:08:00.024-04:002009-05-01T09:58:36.210-04:00

I received two parking violations...taped to the driver's side window of my truck; found them posted today - in the rain.Toronto Police might as well have TP'd my vehicle because the papers - with the bright neon orange label that screams to all passers by that I have been a naughty girl - were so saturated from the rain that they couldn't be peeled from the glass without falling apart (see

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-13508576655182247412009-04-30T05:25:00.009-04:002009-04-30T11:10:26.213-04:00

BILL O'REILLY & DENNIS MILLERAm I the only one who has noticed any similarity?They while away their time in sarcastic conversation.They both are extremely obnoxious and rude.They survive their misadventures without serious consequences, and with a generally contented, though critical world view.And they were discussing the Presidential News Conference. Bill O'Reilly doesn't think there are any

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-5379809158334780772009-04-28T23:54:00.016-04:002009-04-29T01:34:02.763-04:00

In T-Town it's not just the hydrants that need flushed out!After a thirty-year absence I purchased a house and moved back to my home town of Toronto, Ohio. Although basically I've moved back into the old neighborhood (my childhood home is exactly two blocks north on the same street), a lot remains the same and a lot has changed and some of that (possibly most) is not necessarily a good

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-45951838943368238722009-04-28T05:15:00.002-04:002009-04-28T10:57:21.675-04:00

Want this badge?

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-59334321624772285882009-04-25T15:38:00.007-04:002009-04-25T15:52:17.642-04:00

He is now a bloggerGoldie has gotten the techno bug.It never fails; every night when I am on the computer he sits waiting for me to get up out of the chair so he can have his time.He's pretty smart; observant and I am not surprised that he can use the keyboard although his reach on it is rather limited; he is proficient with the mouse. I handle the photography for him.Anyway, Goldie was once

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-35145373889473425892009-04-25T03:17:00.005-04:002009-04-25T03:28:17.754-04:00

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-64034291504608380052009-04-25T02:14:00.009-04:002009-04-25T02:46:15.644-04:00

They are wisely utilizing YouTubeI must applaud the National Coalition for the Homeless on posting the following video on YouTube. No explanation is necessary; just watch the video and learn from it.I would like to know what you learned from this video. Comments are greatly appreciated.More information about The National Coalition for the Homeless can be found in the HELP LINKS section on the

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-1200131878887968932009-04-22T01:10:00.008-04:002009-04-26T12:13:49.390-04:00

Five new additions to our familySaturday, as I was passing my neighbor's house across the street, they found five kittens in their hedges. Luckily I was there because the neighbors were going to put these kittens in a cardboard box and leave them in the front yard; potentially exposing them to the threat of other animals including the hawks that often circle overhead.Well, the kittens are mine

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-37996446418713829242009-04-20T03:46:00.032-04:002009-04-20T13:50:11.387-04:00

Another bitchin' rant...Winding along the misinformation highway...On and off the phone with various people at the IRS call center over the past two months. Remember that $300.00 stimulus payment for low income singles last year? I got mine but in order to get that payment you had to have earned a minimum of $3,000 for the year of 2007. Gary’s Social Security Disability hearing was in 2008 and he

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-63040931516386957412009-04-15T06:29:00.009-04:002009-04-15T09:27:17.493-04:00

but, oh, what a beautiful gift inside!I was thinking about how society perceives others by their station in life; career, education, personal appearance, wealth or lack of, and so on.Just two examples of stereotypical images...If a person is homeless they are perceived as lazy, drug addicted, worthless.In one of his blog posts, Brian Davis wrote: “I have thought about how many talented people are

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-52162531062727206692009-04-03T01:23:00.043-04:002009-04-04T06:43:49.032-04:00

Fund-raising dinner & silent auction benefits advocacy; essential links to services for the homeless of Greater ClevelandNEOCH is the only non-profit organization in the Greater Cleveland area that assists the homeless by providing civil rights advocacy, a voice for the homeless population and links to essential services through its numerous programs."Hope Blossoms", the theme of this year's

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-57351857961613051542009-03-30T00:06:00.037-04:002009-03-30T23:41:52.481-04:00

It's driving me mad; making me crazy!I'm grabbing at my head about to pull my hair out and am close to losing my freaking mind over crap.No, let me just call a spade a spade; it's not crap, it's BULLSHIT! I'm up to my lower lip in it.I'm being clothes-lined by bureaucratic red tape. It's strangling me! Am I PISSED OFF? Sure I am and I think rightfully so! Read on...I'm dealing with Medicare

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-19799520418253773692009-03-28T12:14:00.004-04:002009-03-30T01:43:17.807-04:00

Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless commentsBrian Davis, Executive Director of NEOCH offers his viewpoint here.

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-53670292482610559872009-03-24T22:59:00.010-04:002009-03-25T02:56:33.348-04:00

Glad it was brought up...I was listening from another room when I heard a reporter ask President Obama about addressing homelessness. I grabbed my camera, focused it on the TV screen and this is what I got on video. The president talked about programs for the unemployed; to get people back to work. He mentions the homeless veterans too.From my own personal experience, I met more disabled

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-28756889537520719752009-03-20T07:44:00.031-04:002009-03-20T16:54:02.137-04:00

I definitely have something to say about...Why did Nationwide quit being on my side? - In the final planning stages of buying my home, I had to arrange for homeowner’s insurance. I chose to go with Nationwide Insurance and catching up with my former agent (Dick). WELLLLLLLLLLL, my homeowner’s payment is finally due (after one year of home ownership - yea!) so I called Dick’s office and asked

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-85734800712099739742009-03-19T07:31:00.060-04:002009-03-20T21:36:36.630-04:00

It has it's own sweet revenge!From Wikipedia: Going postal is an American English slang term, used as a verb meaning to suddenly become extremely and uncontrollably angry, possibly to the point of violence. The term derives from a series of incidents from 1983 onward in which United States Postal Service (USPS) workers shot and killed managers, fellow workers, and members of the police or general

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-22911692816255022522009-03-16T20:05:00.034-04:002009-03-17T06:40:09.078-04:00

Seeking evidence of disabilityI had some other topics I was planning to write about today but I caught something on the news tonight regarding another drug receiving FDA approval for the treatment of fibromyalgia so I thought I would concentrate on a timely subject by writing about my participation in two clinical trials.Participating in clinical trials for new or existing drugs vying for FDA

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-28967645808993410472009-03-16T02:20:00.011-04:002009-03-17T06:26:31.056-04:00

It's BYOP in Mt. Gilead I've always had a problem with self-serve anything - unless it's a buffet restaurant, of course!Self-serve is supposed to be a time saver for the customer - hey, no waiting in long lines, right?But yet, your (and my) valuable time is often wasted by trying to figure out how to operate the 'ugly cashier', having to scan your own items, listening to those annoying digitally

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-56383996578357572772009-03-15T02:32:00.028-04:002009-03-15T22:54:50.539-04:00

Living with the pain & fatigue Damn I'm exhausted; sore (burning and throbbing sore) and those ETs must have visited me while I was asleep in the recliner for 6 hours - the mind is mush. So here I am slumped over my desk - staring vacantly at the monitor, the key board, the wall, my cigarettes. hand eye coordination is awful. Thoughts coming to mind - click, change the channel; another

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-59736767991503691462009-03-14T00:23:00.019-04:002009-03-15T01:32:47.766-04:00

...please pardon me while I ventI remember several years ago 'Jungle Lips' (his street name) submitted a poem that was published in "The Homeless Grapevine". One FOUR LETTER WORD in the title of his poem outraged some of the stand operators at Cleveland's West Side Market so much that they threatened action not to permit the sale of "The Homeless Grapevine" on the property, a violation of the

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-79968763248227304682009-03-13T10:22:00.008-04:002009-03-13T11:15:06.053-04:00

This woman traded in her home for a couch at someone else's house rather than go to a shelter because she owns a dog.Another casualty of denial for disability benefits by the Social Security Administration, she is diabetic, has osteoarthritis -both conditions affect her ability to walk. Her wheel chair is broken.She was dropped off on Public Square by the person who lets her sleep on his couch.

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-49561819560869028122009-03-10T13:32:00.024-04:002009-03-12T20:55:34.968-04:00

...and why some return to the streets.When you become homeless you exchange one community for another.The community you leave is your neighborhood - once stable housing; the people next door, the people across the street. You might wave to them everyday; they might wave back.Life in the neighborhood isn't like it was years ago. Back then you knew your neighbors quite well. Neighbors were your

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-39496743960049261082009-03-09T21:24:00.025-04:002009-03-10T21:04:58.520-04:00

What she witnessed; what she experienced at the shelterDiana Dennis was a resident of Community Women's Shelter for approximately 7 months in 2005. Other residents and a few of the staff members (only the ones with compassion) confided in her and she personally observed and noted various civil rights violations against the women who were sheltered there.Diana Dennis reported her observations to

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-11607660171424868262009-03-08T05:57:00.022-04:002009-03-08T21:28:10.377-04:00

Here are a few things that have been said to me regarding homelessness:The misconception - the visual didn't fit the stereotypical: While I was homeless, I was standing outside of Jacobs Field when some nice gentleman offered me an extra ticket to that night's game for free. At the time there was a ban on bringing umbrellas into the ballpark and the possibility for rain was eminent. When

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-14028933229570848792009-03-07T00:43:00.007-05:002009-03-25T16:00:13.535-04:00

Photo by Cynthia Miller - 20073631 Perkins Ave. - Cleveland, OhioIt was 68 degrees Friday. Think Spring!Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead this weekend.

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-74102041629304022032009-03-04T13:05:00.025-05:002009-03-10T16:56:19.747-04:00

...if you're asleep, is there still that sucking noise?My sleep has been totally screwed up my entire life. That's why I chose to work midnight shift - I had great difficulty functioning at a day job.I struggled to sleep at night; fell asleep a lot in class in high school (although I was never caught). I can no longer enjoy going to a movie theater because I fall asleep, staying awake at

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-89892487536575266222009-03-04T10:48:00.009-05:002009-03-04T12:57:07.957-05:00

If ya didn't know, I have an associate degree in commercial art from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and spent 25 years in print media (ad agency, newspapers, book publishing, commercial printing).Soy ink runs thick through my veins. I used to sweat it out of my pores back in the day. I even spent nearly a year in quality control at a commercial printing company in Medina, Ohio. Despite that, I

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-32537025199505016352009-03-03T18:56:00.063-05:002009-03-10T20:01:47.512-04:00

Goldie in from the cold and enjoying a peaceful nap on the couch this afternoon.Relaxing at the computer, enjoying an original composition Cat Day by his new buddy CheapRobot.Goldie last summer standing beside the chalk art he inspired by next door neighbor Meghan. When he was homeless and without a name living outside of Terrace Tower in East Cleveland, Ohio. Gary took this picture of him from

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-12662009404079568052009-03-03T12:02:00.005-05:002009-03-03T18:56:28.758-05:00

Ever since the mortgage crisis began, lenders are in a constant state of paranoia. Rightfully so, but my mortgage payment was due on the 1st (Sunday) and my Social Security disability check (my guaranteed income for the rest of my life) was deposited in the bank today (the 3rd). My payment won't be late until the 16th of the month. I know it's just a courtesy call; a reminder but enough

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-745540867235527402009-03-01T23:37:00.018-05:002009-03-10T14:46:31.831-04:00

Mark Miller's story about my YouTube channel..."The Herald Star" hit the stands Saturday afternoon making me an instant celebrity in this town (or at the very least, a reconstituted celebrity) - I was gone for 30 years so I have to reclaim my previous stature in my hometown. Toronto goes YouTube with a photo of me spanning 3 columns was plastered on the front page of the newspaper - in color no

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-61621230925226472942009-02-28T04:34:00.006-05:002009-03-10T14:44:34.903-04:00

Photo by Cindy Miller - 2007The homeless and impoverished wait in line at Public Square in downtown Cleveland for a meal. The food was being distributed downtown by a church outreach ministry. Unfortunately they underestimated the amount of food to bring and soon ran out before many in this line were served.

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-76643747744168215572009-02-27T04:14:00.011-05:002009-03-10T14:47:25.769-04:00

Taken on Euclid Ave. at the corner of Coit in East Cleveland, Ohio.Homeless Grapevine Photography Program 2007Photo by Cindy MillerCertainly adds new meaning to Analog being out!

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-4665610272715723332009-02-27T00:50:00.045-05:002009-03-10T14:48:05.425-04:00

"Herald Star" & "Toronto Scene" writer, reporter, photographer extrordanaire Mark Miller stopped by Thursday. At the end of his columns in the "Toronto Scene" he always adds a blurb requesting the readers to contact him with any news and story ideas pertaining to Toronto. Brilliant! Cast the line, dangle the bait; ask for referrals. It works. Well, I bit. In the below freezing bitterly cold still

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-21337766397724006992009-02-26T21:32:00.046-05:002009-03-02T21:54:25.221-05:00

Top photo: Steve Cagan (left) and Howard Singleton (center) discuss camera functions while Jerome Pleasant (right) and Gary Waterbeck (foreground) listen. Class participant Gary Waterbeck double checks camera settings prior to taking his first picture on his new camera.Kevin Cleary "Homeless Grapevine"reporter readies the laptop computer for use by class participants.All photos from the 2007

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-90146489086360325182009-02-25T00:43:00.011-05:002009-02-25T01:58:57.557-05:00

Sunset over frozen Lake Erie - Cleveland, Ohio Photo by Cindy Miller - 2008

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-335053317966927772009-02-25T00:17:00.010-05:002009-02-25T01:58:10.175-05:00

Photo by Gary Waterbeck - 2007 The southern view from our 12th Floor Section 8 apartment in East Cleveland.

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-22367305041553754082009-02-24T20:30:00.007-05:002009-02-25T20:15:36.552-05:00

If you remember the Faberge shampoo commercials from the 1970's, you probably remember this slogan from an ad campaign that they used for many years.If you are anything like me, I'm sure you recommend products and services to your friends and even strangers. And I bet you even tell people about your bad experiences too.Years ago, I got involved with Mary Kay Cosmetics. I was living in Michigan at

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-84435639442304406852009-02-21T21:43:00.013-05:002009-03-10T15:03:20.249-04:00

Homeless woman sleeping on RTA Rapid Photo by Cindy Miller for the Homeless Photography Project 2007If the impoverished and homeless had flown to Washington in private jets, they also would have been chastised. But would they have gotten their money anyway or just not as much?A must read below by Brian Davis, Executive Director of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH)Click On The

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-45962668189890746122009-02-20T08:57:00.013-05:002009-02-27T02:43:06.736-05:00

It was October 2008 when Steubenville Herald Star writer Janice Kiaski made a plea to readers asking them to submit their personal stories as to what made them thankful in 2008 during the Thanksgiving season. In 2008, I had a lot to be thankful for so I responded to her plea by e-mailing her the following: Hi Janice!I read in the Herald Star that you wanted to hear from readers about what they

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-15841793244786601082009-02-20T03:21:00.006-05:002009-02-25T02:23:41.132-05:00

DOWNSIZING: Definition from http://whatis.techtarget.comIn a business enterprise, downsizing is reducing the number of employees on the operating payroll. Some users distinguish downsizing from a layoff , with downsizing intended to be a permanent downscaling and a layoff intended to be a temporary downscaling in which employees may later be rehired. Businesses use several techniques in

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-23626734370929301242009-02-20T01:00:00.008-05:002009-02-25T02:20:39.931-05:00

Well, I thought so too but homelessness happens. Come to think of it, I've been homeless several times.The first two times was in Niles, Michigan.I had moved there in May of 1989 after taking a job offer from a commercial printing company there. I was offered a working interview upon the recommendation of two former associates who previously were employed by a web-offset commercial printing

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5590547695833955536.post-66677408855473890762009-02-20T00:25:00.005-05:002009-03-10T15:00:13.358-04:00

I began construction on this blog in 2007, less than a month after being approved by the administrative law judge for Social Security Disability. So much has happened and so much time has passed since starting to layout this blog.Much time, energy, blood, sweat and tears have been spent to get to where I am today.Contained on this blog will be the telling of my story of my life experience. The

CynDehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885639183328406991noreply@blogger.com0