By Sheri Lynne
Submitted: 1 week ago
I am 56y and live on disability after health issues forced me to stop working at 40y. My parents have helped me financially and I had some savings. We just goy my mom into a care facility for Alzheimer’s. I am single, no kids. My brother and family live in Texas. He doesn’t even text to check on me. They visit to see parents and we both help parents.
I have a home bought before disability when market was cheaper. I had always been told (and asked for) I would get my parents home and the personal items. (My mother and I both liked stuff with history.) My dad used to say that if something happened to mom, we’d live together. Then parents said they could rent their house to me. Now, suddenly, my dad decided to sell house and all items to move to assisted living.
I should mention that he inherited stocks and gets a government pension so selling house is not his only path forward. They are original owners of home, which is well-maintained and in a better area of same city I live in. My home was previously a rental and I have not been able to maintain it well. I have broken appliances and garage doors and yard issues. I have to wash laundry at my dad’s house.
For 20 y I dreamed of moving back to my childhood home and maybe even being able to rent my current house.
The past 10y have been very difficult, as my dad grew resentful of being my only real support system, financially and otherwise. Again, my brother and his adult children do not help me and follow not check on me. I have been doing worse in past 5y as my dad has reduced his support. I cannot afford all of my medications and the diabetic neuropathy has gotten bad.
My current home looks somewhat like a hoarder’s.
The sudden loss (2 weeks ago) of my path forward with the home has made my major depression and panic attacks worse. My dad has summoned me and says we need to talk about money. He never understands that I am not buying what I need, rather what I can.
A lovely friend Ellie does bring me food from her free meal at restaurant sometimes. She has been very kind.
I have begged my brother to help me have the house. I begged my dad. I have begged them both for help, which is very demeaning. Both of them are financially secure and my mom will be okay.
Nobody thinks about me and if I have to be 88y like parents or live even longer. We have family that lived to almost 100y. My dad actually told my brother that he is a simple man with few needs, and I thought, yeah, you say that because you are rich and can buy whatever you need.
I have SSDI but it is not a lot and not guaranteed. I have savings but running out. I have cats and I have been able to care for them. I have a car. I realize that I have more materially than many people.
Growing up I heard “family helps family” from my dad. He and I did a lot of work to help my maiden great-aunt. I now wonder why my dad is not upset with the way my brother treats me. How is it “family helping family” to model ignoring your disabled sister for your kids?
I am resentful and terrified. I need help and all the years of begging and being largely ignored has worn me down. My brother and parents are very well-off and I do not understand how they are okay with my suffering.
I helped my mom when I could. My dad was her caregiver st home. I made her new room pretty. I helped my dad when he had medical issues. My psychologist says we need to be helpful and of course God wants us to help others where we can.
Again I am very scared about what is going on. I am praying that my dad changes his mind about his home and allows me a path forward. I begged him and my brother to not leave me stuck in current home or worse. I am not a phone person. They get mad when I communicate or vent in text but my dad gets very angry when we talk and I disagree.
I am very anxious about talking to him about money and living situation. My major depression is bad and I am back to weekly talks with my psychologist. I am not suicidal at moment but I do not have a strong will to live.
Other than parents, I have no family in area. Most of my friends were work-related and now gone. I am isolated and sometimes lack energy to shower. I rarely get out.
I listen to Christian radio. I really love the song “The Truth” and it seems to play just for me.
I apologize for the length. I need to get ready to go to my dad and we will visit mom, then I have to talk to my dad. He has multiple paths forward (like selling stocks instead of home, or me selling this house and giving him proceeds) and I do not understand why he chooses the path that hurts me.
Thank you for prayers.