Hello,
I wanted to start out by saying I love listening to the radio station especially this time of year. It warms my heart to hear people helping people not because they know them but because they care:
I have struggled with mental illness most of my life PTSD, anxiety/ Panic attacks and sever clinical depression. Although I am getting help with medication and counseling it is a battle every day to stay alive and be positive for my three beautiful daughters.
I was attacked in my own home in 2005 beat and sexually assaulted, I lost my job and home because I couldn't pay the bills, I have since had other jobs but with the panic disorder and PTSD nothing has lasted I have applied for social security but get denied every time because my illness isn't considered enough, I was working earlier this year but got injured with a fracture in my ankle which caused me to get laid off once again,I am struggling to keep a warm place for my children to stay and food on the table.
I try my best to make any holiday or birthday special but it is harder and harder, I am not able to give my girls a good holiday with gifts and possessions, I only hope they understand that the gift of family and love will be enough to make them happy. I am not wishing for anything for myself I just want my children to have at least one gift under the tree;
You see my husband was laid off work as a mechanic he was getting unemployment which has run out, We have had problems due to money issues that make us be separated at times, We try to be a family but if we are together we cant be helped by government agencies and if we are apart we lose our family as a whole. No matter what we all lose. I feel guilty because I am not able to help my family stay together, I am stricken with these mental issues that are so taboo and are looked at like they are not a real illness, I have attempted suicide more times then I can count, I had been successful a couple time, but hospital staff has brought me back to life on several occasions. I am staying strong for my family now but wish this illness was more understood and looked at with more compassion by others.
I understand you all have such requests this time of year and understand if me and my family can't be helped, it just feels good to me that I was able to open up on some level about the struggles alot of families are having this time of year, and with the failing economy and the struggles some have with mental illness and certain disorders.
I thank you for your time and even if we cant be assisted this time, I want to wish everyone a happy blessed holiday and everyday.
Thank you for your time.

Vickie