METAD domestic program stories

John
John, a disabled Army veteran 72 years old. He is currently living in a HUDVASH apartment that issued a non-renewal notice, so he was forced to find alternate housing with very little notice. He was able to find another HUDVASH property and just signed the lease to move in. Due to early onset of Parkinson’s, he is not physically able to pack up and move his belongings on his own and isn’t able to drive anymore, so he doesn’t have transportation. His monthly budget is very tight, and just barely covers his monthly expenses. METAD granted $800.00 to cover his moving expenses and he is now safely in his new apartment.

Angie
Angie, a 30-year career worker with the USPS having to take an indefinite medical leave from work. She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis which is terminal and leaves her physically unable to work. She is still waiting for disability. As her disease progresses, the need for oxygen increases. She was using 3 to 4 liters of oxygen and carrying tanks made it difficult for her to have any kind of normal life. Angie is slight of frame and just over 5’. METAD was able to locate and provide her a needed portable lightweight oxygen unit to carry around allowing her the freedom to leave her home. his new apartment.

Gale
Gail, a devoted prayer warrior, lost sight in both eyes this past year from severe cataracts and needed surgery to correct her vision. She needed basic lenses as she was not a candidate for more advanced lenses due to how severe the cataracts were. Gail is retired and living on social security. Her husband, also on social security, works part-time for a non-profit in Toledo Ohio. They offer limited medical insurance benefits that has an annual deductible of $3,000. They do have Medicare, but only Part A due to their financial situation. METAD granted the funds to help pay the cost to restore Gail’s sight.

Paula
Paula is a hairdresser at an independent living center. She has a rare type of bladder cancer and is undergoing chemo and radiation treatment. She hasn't worked since November. She has three children living with her. The children’s father just died of cancer. She is set to have a scan soon to evaluate the treatment process with hopes she can return to work if the treatments are working.  Her request was for one-month payment of her mortgage and a car payment. This would alleviate some of the stress relative to paying her major bills while undergoing the cancer treatments. METAD was able to help pay her mortgage and car payment while she underwent the next round of treatment.

Candace
Candace age 35, had a lot of dental problems growing up.  The dentists told her she was prone to issues.  Several years ago, she was in a very bad car accident that knocked out her front teeth.  She was given partials which she had for a couple of years, but the other teeth wouldn’t support them.  She was in pain all the time.  Her only option was to have her teeth removed and dentures made.   She had no insurance and it took many months to pay the cost for what she could afford - the “economy model”.  They lasted about four years, when first the bottom broke and a month later the top broke.  She took her dentures to a clinic for help.  They showed her how to super-glue them.  Unfortunately, after eight months, they no longer fit and the glue was not working.  The pain returned when she would try to use them.  Candace is a single mother, works at a distribution center, has two boys and a girl. She lives in a rental home in which the rent was increased by $450 in 2023.  After paying rent, utilities and food, there isn’t much left for medicine and gas, much less getting new dentures. She has Medicade under Obamacare, but dentures are not covered nor any dental services for adults in SC.  She asked for help with purchasing new dentals.  METAD was able to cover the cost.