Iraqi war veteran raising son with little help

This new mom, a disabled Iraqi Freedom veteran, is heading into the holiday season alone with her first child.

The baby's father was abusive while she was pregnant, and he's now in jail.

"I've been on my own and trying to pay bills and raise my son with no financial help," the mom said.

She served active duty in 2003-04, and was a military police officer in Iraq in 2004. During that time she sustained a knee injury and now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. She has nightmares and experiences bouts of anxiety.

"I fight depression all the time," she said. "I'm doing OK, but it's hard."

She gave birth in October by C-section and remains unable to work at this point. She hopes to be able to get a job next month.

She had some money saved up prior to delivering her son, she said, but it's almost gone now, much of it spent on repairs for her 1990 Toyota Camry.

"I need a safe car for the baby," she said. The vehicle has 207,000 miles on it, and while the engine's in good shape, she said, "everything else is just breaking on it."

She's struggling to pay the balance of her electric bill, anything above the $38 in electric assistance she receives each month. Finding money for gas so she can get to her counseling appointments and appointments for her infant son is a challenge.

She said she's fighting to get her disability from the Army and isn't receiving any compensation at this time. She receives housing assistance through the Veterans Administration, but there are other living expenses - electricity, car insurance, gas and diapers - that she's having trouble paying for.

"I'm really struggling this year and hate to ask for help but I need it not for me, but for my son. He is everything and more to me," she said. "I can't get him much in the way of toys right now, because of his age, but I can get diapers, maybe some new bottles, binkies, and things like that."

With our readers' assistance, Press Christmas for All works to brighten the holidays for folks like this - people left jobless, homeless or who are barely making ends meet, individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Many are alone this holiday season.

Each year, our generous readers' donations allow us to assist thousands of Kootenai County families in need. Each day until Christmas, we will share the stories of those whose holiday memories will be a little happier because of Press Christmas for All .

Donations are collected, then distributed in the form of gift cards to Kootenai County residents in need.

Press Christmas for All is a holiday charity now in its 27th year. It is managed as a nonprofit by The Hagadone Corp. Because it is run by volunteers from The Hagadone Corp. and their partners at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, every penny raised is distributed in the form of gift cards from Shopko or Super 1 Foods, local retailers who also generously support the program. The cards can be used to buy food and gifts but not alcohol or tobacco products. All contributions are tax deductible.

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Recent donors: Richard & Susan Andrews, Jim Arnoldi, Ray & Beverly Garland, Genevieve & Sam Hibbard, Anonymous, Thomas Bassler, Terry Stratton, Robert Rova.

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