I Resent People With Money

[Anonymous]

I'm 22, used to work for a nannying company while going to school for special education. I had help from my parents, but still lived paycheck to paycheck and led a very modest, frugal life.

Then, when I was 21, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and laid off from my job because I couldn't attend a job I was supposed to go to due to waking up that morning with Optic Neuritis (I was blind in one eye for a month because of this). I couldn't get unemployment because I was fired for just cause. I can't get a new job because my health isn't good enough, and I can't get disability because I haven't worked long enough.

I pay over $300 a month in medications and doctors appointments, plus as much as I can scrounge up to slowly pay off numerous hospital bills I have. I'm only taking two classes this semester, because that is all that I can handle with my health the way it is.

I just get SO mad when I see people on this board complain about how they are so poor when they make over 6 figures, or how much their life sucks because they have to buy a 5 bedroom house instead of 6. I just want to shake them try to make them see how difficult life can be and how their problems are so petty! I sometimes have to decide between buying my medications, putting gas in my car, or getting groceries.

When I see threads about 'WWYD if you found 20 bajillion dollars?' and the responses are 'I'd buy a fourth car, take a trip to Tahiti, and invest some, then give some to charity' I just want to yell 'GIVE IT TO ME!'

I don't really know what to accomplish with this thread, other than to hopefully give a wake up call to people out there who think their lives are so difficult even though their wallets are so incredibly fat.

[Anonymous]

There are two types of diasbility so you can get something. But there is a two year hold back for medical.

Time to get your education and find a profession that is flexible. Have several friends with major disabilities. Instead of complaining they have found ways to make it work. The choice is yours. You are young with your entire life ahead of you.

[Anonymous]

I hear you, OP. There is a quality called, "greatfullness," I think, that is severely lacking around here. People pissing and moaning about "choices" that the vast majority of us will never have.....

[Anonymous]

OP, I also hear you. Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

Do you qualify as a type of disabled that gets special preference for federal government hiring? Maybe this can help you get a job. Sorry you have MS though. Hugs to you.

[Anonymous]

OP, you are 22. Do you think all of those people had money when they were 22? I have money now, but was absolutely broke in my early twenties when I had entry level jobs. Focus on your health and on getting yourself established in a career, which you will be able to do even with your health challenges. I work at a university with someone who has MS and one of the senior associates at my DH's law firm has MS, so don't lose hope. But, also don't drive yourself crazy comparing your life to that of people twenty years your senior. Enjoy your youth because middle age will come to you faster than you think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are 22. Do you think all of those people had money when they were 22? I have money now, but was absolutely broke in my early twenties when I had entry level jobs. Focus on your health and on getting yourself established in a career, which you will be able to do even with your health challenges. I work at a university with someone who has MS and one of the senior associates at my DH's law firm has MS, so don't lose hope. But, also don't drive yourself crazy comparing your life to that of people twenty years your senior. Enjoy your youth because middle age will come to you faster than you think.

Agreed. When I was 22 I was working three jobs and drowning in student loan debt. It took nearly 20 years to hit financial independence. We're not your peers, OP, so you really can't compare. Good luck with your health issues.

[Anonymous]

If you were fired for health reasons you were not fired for cause. I don't know if it's too late now, but if not, you should be able to get unemployment. Did you apply?

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I grew up in Europe where there actually is a safety net for people in your situation. It sucks that you have to worry about these things when your health shoudl be your priority. Are there any MS charities that can provide any support (not necessarily financially, though that would help and perhaps they do have ways to help with medical bills)?

[Anonymous]

When I was 22 I was in a government office with my mother seeing if we could qualify for government assistance because she was so poor. Now you would really resent me.

[Anonymous]

OP, there will always be people who don't appreciate what they have. I am concerned that you are holding onto resentment over something that will always exist. I hope you find peace and that your situation improves.

[Anonymous]

When I was 22 I was a college graduate working in a retail sales job and just getting by living in a small room in a group house. After a graduate degree and 25 years of work experience, yes I have plenty of money.

OP I am sorry about your health issues but it seems like you need to focus on your health and your life ahead of you, rather than people your parents age on an anonymous message board who may or may not have any more money than you.

[Anonymous]

OP if you continue to feel this way you will NEVER get out of the situation you're in. You're thinking is toxic and unproductive.

I am 47, when I was 22 I worked THREE jobs to pay my rent. Couldn't afford a bed so I slept on the floor. I saved my money, waited till I was 31 to get married. Found a great partner who shares my beliefs and who lifts me up, not drags me down. Together we have achieved a lot but in the time we NEVER felt sorry for ourselves. Stop using your health as an excuse. People with way more health issues than you have gone very far in life. Achieved a great deal financially, spiritually and personally. Try having your arms and legs blown off....

[Anonymous]

OP- there will always be someone richer than you and someone poorer than you.

Just as you suggest to those who make $200K to look down and realize how lucky they are, you also should take the time to appreciate how lucky you are to be in school, to be able to afford a car, etc.

Wealth is a very relative thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP if you continue to feel this way you will NEVER get out of the situation you're in. You're thinking is toxic and unproductive.

I am 47, when I was 22 I worked THREE jobs to pay my rent. Couldn't afford a bed so I slept on the floor. I saved my money, waited till I was 31 to get married. Found a great partner who shares my beliefs and who lifts me up, not drags me down. Together we have achieved a lot but in the time we NEVER felt sorry for ourselves. Stop using your health as an excuse. People with way more health issues than you have gone very far in life. Achieved a great deal financially, spiritually and personally. Try having your arms and legs blown off....

For gods sake, do you have any idea what MS is like? Do you have any idea what kind challenges she faces? I had a great friend with MS. He didn't get ill until he'd got through business school. By 27 he was in a wheel chair. It was only through his utter dedication and charisma that he was able to find a low level admin job. WITH AN MBA. And he was only able to keep it because this was in Europe and he had a great employer AND he didn't have any medical bills because healthcare was considered a right. Ultimately he was promoted, several times and ended up in a position that was suitable for his not inconsiderable talents. But remember he got his MBA before he lost the use of his legs and before he had trouble using his arms. He was an amazing person in many many ways but paticularly for having tackled his disability in the way that he did. he swam and sailed and ski-ed. But MS is a terrible disease, particularly when it strikes young. How DARE you suggest that having your arms and legs blown off is somehow worse.

My wonderful friend went from a 6'5" football player, top of his MBA class, to an independent wheelchair user, to a motorised wheel chair user, to needing voice recognition software to use a computer, to needing 24 hour care to be fed, clothed and dressed, to losing his ability to even speak. He was inspirational and I wish OP could have met him because I know he would have had encouraging words and advice. Sadly, however, he died about five years ago at the age of 41.

OP, this wasn't in the US, but I know that he found a lot of help and emotional support through disability and MS groups. They also supported him in coming to terms with his disability, finding work and finding ways to continue the life he had before by finding ways to adapt to his needs (e.g. participating in sports despite being a wheel chair user). is there anyone you can reach out to? Working multiple jobs likely won't work for you, but it doesn't mean you can't get where you want to, you just may not be able to take the traditional path or the path that you originally planned to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP if you continue to feel this way you will NEVER get out of the situation you're in. You're thinking is toxic and unproductive.

I am 47, when I was 22 I worked THREE jobs to pay my rent. Couldn't afford a bed so I slept on the floor. I saved my money, waited till I was 31 to get married. Found a great partner who shares my beliefs and who lifts me up, not drags me down. Together we have achieved a lot but in the time we NEVER felt sorry for ourselves. Stop using your health as an excuse. People with way more health issues than you have gone very far in life. Achieved a great deal financially, spiritually and personally. Try having your arms and legs blown off....

Well, good for you. Did you work your THREE jobs while having MS?

I bet you are a Republican.

Disgusting.