The way you lay out how dietary restrictions, health consitions, and financial constrants intersect here is realy powerful. The specific detai about histamine management while on SNAP truly ilustrates systemic oversight in food assistance programs. This takes a deeply personal strugle and contextualizes it with policy rigor.
Thank you so much! My neurodivergent brain is constantly analyzing things. In this case, it's analyzing what I can potentially get in the food pantry to save me money out of pocket or on my SNAP card. It really tires me out! Thank you for reading and commenting, I appreciate it.
There is no real safety net for illness in America. When you get sick, the system assumes you’ll either get better or keep working through it. Reading what you described — the daily math of energy, symptoms, and meals — I felt that truth in my bones.
To qualify for disability, your illness must keep you from working for at least twelve months, and you need strong medical proof — understandably so. But what happens during those twelve months? Once your paid time off runs out, you’re left in limbo — waiting, worrying, doing the math of survival. And even after that year passes, applying for Social Security Disability can take another six to twelve months, or longer.
Lara, thank you for sharing your story so honestly. You put words to what so many of us live through — the exhaustion, the uncertainty, and the quiet courage it takes to keep showing up. Most people still believe the story ends in recovery or death, but for millions of us, it doesn’t. There’s a third place — the long middle — where illness doesn’t end, but life keeps demanding that you show up anyway.
Chronic illness doesn’t follow a straight line.
It lingers in the long middle, where help takes years and strength runs thin.
I see you there, doing your best to hold it all together. You’re not alone.
Oh my gosh, what an amazing comment, thank you! You have touched my heart! I have looked into disability a number of times in sheer desperation, but the process basically requires an attorney from what I’ve read. The fastest I’ve seen someone say they got results was 6 months. There are caps to how much you can earn while working part time, because disability wouldn’t even pay my rent, so I’d have to work still. The combined total limit for disability plus allowed work amount equals: $3000 a month. My rent is $2300 a month. That would not keep the lights on or the internet running for school and freelancing. Their “safety net” keeps you poor. If you work more and try to save up to replace a car, pay down debt, or move, they’ll cancel your disability. The expectation is, you do not get to build up your own safety net while on any kind of aid, to get out of poverty and off government aid you need to save money to make life changes. But they expect you to use that savings to pay your bills, not save for retirement or save to make a major purchase. Saving is not allowed period. You are stuck on a poverty track! And you’re told to “work harder!” “Work more hours!” “Get a second job!” All things people with a high end lifestyle can afford to do because they can hire a cleaner, a babysitter, a mechanic, a meal subscription, etc. They can hire help! We can’t do that!
I’m so sorry you’re struggling so much right now. In a nation that prides itself on prosperity, you’d think we’d want to share a little of that for a baseline that includes feeding all our babies. And if you’re chronically ill, that’s even more difficult. There are some food banks in some cities that focus on special dietary needs (GF, vegan). Maybe peek around for some of those? I also have MCAS and other allergies, so I know firsthand how hard this can be. Sending you love and light!
What a fabulous and well-written piece. People need to understand the realities of getting SNAP and heading to food banks. Kids have special diets. Adults have disabilities. People are just trying to get the basics to be healthy. If they don't get a little help now, we'll all need much more later, as a society. Thank you for giving us the lowdown and reminding us of the math.
Thank you so much, Caren! I think the stereotypes around people on government assistance from the 1970s are *strong*! Many Americans refuse to let go of the “Welfare Queen” stereotype! It’s a *process* to get government assistance. It is not easy, it’s a part time job for 2-3 weeks even being able to fill out the app online. When I jump on socials and defend politicians trying to get SNAP funded, the comments are heartless, thoughtless, and cruel. We are not seen as people, as human beings, at all. It’s awful.
I know there are loads of people like us out there! I’m happy to write and potentially open people’s eyes to what support programs really do for people.
The way you lay out how dietary restrictions, health consitions, and financial constrants intersect here is realy powerful. The specific detai about histamine management while on SNAP truly ilustrates systemic oversight in food assistance programs. This takes a deeply personal strugle and contextualizes it with policy rigor.
Thank you so much! My neurodivergent brain is constantly analyzing things. In this case, it's analyzing what I can potentially get in the food pantry to save me money out of pocket or on my SNAP card. It really tires me out! Thank you for reading and commenting, I appreciate it.
There is no real safety net for illness in America. When you get sick, the system assumes you’ll either get better or keep working through it. Reading what you described — the daily math of energy, symptoms, and meals — I felt that truth in my bones.
To qualify for disability, your illness must keep you from working for at least twelve months, and you need strong medical proof — understandably so. But what happens during those twelve months? Once your paid time off runs out, you’re left in limbo — waiting, worrying, doing the math of survival. And even after that year passes, applying for Social Security Disability can take another six to twelve months, or longer.
Lara, thank you for sharing your story so honestly. You put words to what so many of us live through — the exhaustion, the uncertainty, and the quiet courage it takes to keep showing up. Most people still believe the story ends in recovery or death, but for millions of us, it doesn’t. There’s a third place — the long middle — where illness doesn’t end, but life keeps demanding that you show up anyway.
Chronic illness doesn’t follow a straight line.
It lingers in the long middle, where help takes years and strength runs thin.
I see you there, doing your best to hold it all together. You’re not alone.
Oh my gosh, what an amazing comment, thank you! You have touched my heart! I have looked into disability a number of times in sheer desperation, but the process basically requires an attorney from what I’ve read. The fastest I’ve seen someone say they got results was 6 months. There are caps to how much you can earn while working part time, because disability wouldn’t even pay my rent, so I’d have to work still. The combined total limit for disability plus allowed work amount equals: $3000 a month. My rent is $2300 a month. That would not keep the lights on or the internet running for school and freelancing. Their “safety net” keeps you poor. If you work more and try to save up to replace a car, pay down debt, or move, they’ll cancel your disability. The expectation is, you do not get to build up your own safety net while on any kind of aid, to get out of poverty and off government aid you need to save money to make life changes. But they expect you to use that savings to pay your bills, not save for retirement or save to make a major purchase. Saving is not allowed period. You are stuck on a poverty track! And you’re told to “work harder!” “Work more hours!” “Get a second job!” All things people with a high end lifestyle can afford to do because they can hire a cleaner, a babysitter, a mechanic, a meal subscription, etc. They can hire help! We can’t do that!
Anyway, thank for seeing me. I appreciate it!
I’m so sorry you’re struggling so much right now. In a nation that prides itself on prosperity, you’d think we’d want to share a little of that for a baseline that includes feeding all our babies. And if you’re chronically ill, that’s even more difficult. There are some food banks in some cities that focus on special dietary needs (GF, vegan). Maybe peek around for some of those? I also have MCAS and other allergies, so I know firsthand how hard this can be. Sending you love and light!
Oh love and light gratefully accepted! ☺️ Thank you so much for your understanding, I appreciate it!
What a slog, to get food you can eat. Thanks tor sharing the complexity with us. All good wishes in this uncertain, stressful time.
Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
What a fabulous and well-written piece. People need to understand the realities of getting SNAP and heading to food banks. Kids have special diets. Adults have disabilities. People are just trying to get the basics to be healthy. If they don't get a little help now, we'll all need much more later, as a society. Thank you for giving us the lowdown and reminding us of the math.
Thank you so much, Caren! I think the stereotypes around people on government assistance from the 1970s are *strong*! Many Americans refuse to let go of the “Welfare Queen” stereotype! It’s a *process* to get government assistance. It is not easy, it’s a part time job for 2-3 weeks even being able to fill out the app online. When I jump on socials and defend politicians trying to get SNAP funded, the comments are heartless, thoughtless, and cruel. We are not seen as people, as human beings, at all. It’s awful.
I’m right there with you. Sending you sooo much ❤️ love
I know there are loads of people like us out there! I’m happy to write and potentially open people’s eyes to what support programs really do for people.