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[quote=Anonymous]I'm the PP whose mother lied to welfare to get medical care.

My DH grew up in the deep south with several siblings, a family of 13, before nieces/nephews came along.  His father was illiterate and legally changed his name to his initials so he could sign documents.  His Mom was "The Help" at a house across town, often raising someone else's children while her children went without her.  Of course no SS taxes were taken out so when his mother lost both legs to diabetes, the bare minimum is what she got monthly.  Up until the point when she passed away, DH helped her monthly.   Much like I continue to help my mother today.

His father worked in an orchard that grew tung nut trees.  A fire destroyed the orchard so he did odd jobs, fixing cars, lawn mowers, etc.  He also grew a large garden to feed the family.  His Mother would make large, hearty meals that would stretch a dollar.  Chicken legs, rice & gravy were one of the staples.

Their home was VERY modest.  The boys slept on the floor, in the living room, under the sofa bed.  The girls slept ON the sofa bed.  He remembers feeling mice & rats scurrying near his feet during the night hours.  They finally moved to the "big house" and he got his own bed.  Being the youngest, he eventually got his own bedroom but it was several years.

DH said he was mostly oblivious to all of their struggles.  At one point, in middle school, a classmate pointed out that the shirt DH was wearing that day used to belong to the classmates brother.  Of course Mom either got clothes at the thrift shop or they were donated.

Our path out...I can't say it was college because I never completed college.  I think it was just that I always wanted more?  I am a pretty quick study and I've always made the effort to make sure that my actions reflected that I wanted more.  For lack of a better term, I basically grew up "white trash" very much along the lines of Jerry Springer.  Big mouths, lots of attitudes, etc.  I've never been confrontational, I try to not allow myself to be pulled down by those in my life that behave in this way.  DH, he did go to college.  His Mother faught for him tooth & nail.  She was fighting with financial aid offices, credit card companies, everybody she needed to, in order to make sure he succeeded.  He is the only of his siblings to complete college.  He has also always strived to rise above the societal expectations of his background.

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