As the First Anniversary for the 99ers approaches, Share Your Story

For many, that dreaded first anniversary has already happened. By the end of the month, all the original 99ers will have been one year without any income.

Share your story here to help the new 99ers and future 99ers on what to expect and how to survive. As thousands of unemployed Americans join this "club" every week, support them by sharing your story!

DesperateInRI wrote:For many, that dreaded first anniversary has already happened. By the end of the month, all the original 99ers will have been one year without any income.

Share your story here to help the new 99ers and future 99ers on what to expect and how to survive. As thousands of unemployed Americans join this "club" every week, support them by sharing your story!

It is the last week in May and I notice no replies to this post. The first week in May was my one year 'anniversary'. Three years ago I had it all - a nice condo, great job, lover, friends, family, cats, perfect credit score, 401K, health insurance - at 52 I had struggled through a lifetime of adversity and therapy and achieved my goals - to live the American Dream. Today, as I contemplate the upcoming Memorial Day holiday from the top bunk in a homeless shelter, alone afraid, I consider giving up. All is lost - even my family has turned their backs on me. Where once there was love, now there is (?what?). It feels like I am contagious with some dread disease and my only 'crime' despair. The feelings of abandonment are overwhelming not just from those I know but from our government as well. I was a patriot who was proud to fly the American flag from my balcony. I never complained about paying taxes or FICA - knowing in my heart it was going for the greater good... three years later I know better. Today I am exhausted and destitute and each day wonder how to make it through today. I have run out of smiles and empty cheerful (?) banter. I am sick of cliches and patronizing bs. I have sent countless email, networked, did research and made phone calls. I have taken the antidepressants and talked to the doctors and therapist (and everyone else with jobs). Yet I have turned from a delightful and hopeful woman to a frightened, lonely, disappointed soul
with nowhere to put my flag for Memorial Day.

I am so sorry 52 and frightened. Please dont give up! I know its very painful and extremely discouraging times right now, but you will have your life back some day.

If you are having feelings of suicide, PLEASE call 1-800-273-8255
They have helped many of us get through this horrible time.

Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems the unemployed face is no family support. Families need to realize how important it is to support their unemployed loved one emotionally. It is lack of understanding. They love you, they just dont understand.

We understand here on UFF2... any time you're feeling down please post and we will try to talk you through it. We are like one big family.

Ongoing prayers...

yes 52, family runs for the hills, they are sooo scared you might asked for help or a place to stay-even though if they are able to and worth a rip they would volunteer those things. My mother and sister care about themselves and themselves only even though they have both lived with me when they needed a place. Oh well, I have one positive thing to say about that-at least I have less "pretend" family friends etc. I dont want fake people in my life so unemployment has cleaned the bs out. You did nothing wrong, you are a victim of a corrput government and greedy employers. Please know that I will think of you each night so that you know somebody cares and I will pray for you.

Do you mind telling me what state you live in?

americatheneedy wrote:yes 52, family runs for the hills, they are sooo scared you might asked for help or a place to stay-even though if they are able to and worth a rip they would volunteer those things. My mother and sister care about themselves and themselves only even though they have both lived with me when they needed a place. Oh well, I have one positive thing to say about that-at least I have less "pretend" family friends etc. I dont want fake people in my life so unemployment has cleaned the bs out. You did nothing wrong, you are a victim of a corrput government and greedy employers. Please know that I will think of you each night so that you know somebody cares and I will pray for you.

Exactly! Its important that you realize it isn't your fault!! You are a victim of circumstance and greed.

52 and Frightened wrote:It is the last week in May and I notice no replies to this post. The first week in May was my one year 'anniversary'. Three years ago I had it all - a nice condo, great job, lover, friends, family, cats, perfect credit score, 401K, health insurance - at 52 I had struggled through a lifetime of adversity and therapy and achieved my goals - to live the American Dream. Today, as I contemplate the upcoming Memorial Day holiday from the top bunk in a homeless shelter, alone afraid, I consider giving up. All is lost - even my family has turned their backs on me. Where once there was love, now there is (?what?). It feels like I am contagious with some dread disease and my only 'crime' despair. The feelings of abandonment are overwhelming not just from those I know but from our government as well. I was a patriot who was proud to fly the American flag from my balcony. I never complained about paying taxes or FICA - knowing in my heart it was going for the greater good... three years later I know better. Today I am exhausted and destitute and each day wonder how to make it through today. I have run out of smiles and empty cheerful (?) banter. I am sick of cliches and patronizing bs. I have sent countless email, networked, did research and made phone calls. I have taken the antidepressants and talked to the doctors and therapist (and everyone else with jobs). Yet I have turned from a delightful and hopeful woman to a frightened, lonely, disappointed soul
with nowhere to put my flag for Memorial Day.

I Haven't seen you post in a while, I hope all is ok. Please check in and let us know how you're doing. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Thank you for checking up on me. I am still in the homeless shelter with my phone under my pillow. I continue to go to the library to search for jobs and e-apply. I have dumbed down my resume considerbly and taken off any position further than ten years out. Still nothing. A family member actually said "if it's so bad out there why don't we seeon the news?". None of my friends or family lost their jobs and although I would't wish this on anyone, I do wish someone knew how this feels. Every day I must decide to make it through another day... Hope truly is so hard to maintain...

52 and Frightened wrote:Thank you for checking up on me. I am still in the homeless shelter with my phone under my pillow. I continue to go to the library to search for jobs and e-apply. I have dumbed down my resume considerbly and taken off any position further than ten years out. Still nothing. A family member actually said "if it's so bad out there why don't we seeon the news?". None of my friends or family lost their jobs and although I would't wish this on anyone, I do wish someone knew how this feels. Every day I must decide to make it through another day... Hope truly is so hard to maintain...

There you are! I am glad to see you are ok.

That's all you can do, is to take it one day at a time. Its not on the news nearly enough. It is on the political shows but not our local news. Its a shame. If it was on the news more often on a local level, I have a feeling that things would change for the better quickly because people wouldn't stand for it.

I'm praying for you