Mom wants kids to be happy
Unless you've walked a mile in this mother's shoes, you can't know the challenges of her daily life. With a young child who has been diagnosed on the autistic spectrum, this mom has little time for self-indulgence.
"Children with autism require special diets and extra patience," she said. "The biggest problem has always been how to get good daycare for her. She wasn't potty-trained until she turned 6 and that was barely in time for school. Nobody running a daycare center wants to mess with a child's potty training when the child is that big."
This mom lives with her two young children and her father.
"My dad was in a bad situation which he needed to get out of, so he's staying with me and trying to find work, but there's just not a lot of work around now. He's looking for something maybe at a gas station or at a kennel with animals. He's having a really hard time and doesn't have a car, so he has to walk to job interviews."
This mom is currently living in low-income housing. She gets a little support from her children's father and some Social Security from her oldest child's disability. She said she's behind on her rent and that scares her.
"Right now, it's pretty much impossible for me to work. My older child goes to school part-time and I still have my younger child at home. Previously I was able to do caregiving and I worked in restaurants.
"If it could ever be possible, I'd love to go to school for cosmetology so I could learn to do hair and nails. But right now that's just a dream for us."
"For Christmas, I just want my kids to be happy. If they can both have something to open, I'll be just fine."
With our readers' assistance, Press Christmas for All works to brighten the holidays for people like this - the jobless, homeless, those 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 28th 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 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.
To give, please send a check to:
Press Christmas for All, 201 Second St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.
You can also call (208) 664-8176 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and donate by credit card.
Donations can be made securely online at www.christmasforallcda.com
Recent donors: Larry and Bobbie Wolf, Mary E. Button, Richard and Susan Jones, William and Donna Armbruster, Gwen Letson, Idaho Community Foundation.
• Notes from our donors
Enclosed is a check to help. This is a great thing to do.
My husband (87) had a bad fall Friday - knot on the head and four rib fractures - doing kinda OK. So we have some unexpected medical copays, etc., and ambulance so can't send more. We still feel blessed.
RHODA SCHLEHUBER
Post Falls