June 2018 Newsletter

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“I Wanted A Life”

Sarah had more than her share of obstacles to overcome. She was born premature. She started life with significant hearing loss, blindness in one eye, a hole in her heart, and fluid in her lungs. When she was three-years-old, she was sent away to a foster home. Six years later, she returned home to her single mother. Sarah graduated from high school, but she had trouble finding employment because of her disabilities. Vocational Rehabilitation helped her get a job in a department store stocking clothing racks. Then Sarah got a job at the VA facility in White City. It was a part-time position in food service, open only to veterans or people with disabilities.

But, Sarah had other trouble in life with an abusive, drug addicted boyfriend, and his dealers wanted money from her. There was domestic violence and threats from others. She fled for her safety to Roseburg, as other victims flee from our community to remote locations.

Home became an old, leaky trailer in a mobile home park out of town. It was affordable, but cold and too far from job opportunities. In time, Sarah was employed in food service at the Roseburg VA. She had to be to work at 6am. Because of her physical disabilities, at first, it took two hours to ride her bicycle to work. She was a target of harassment at her mobile home park. For her safety and convenience, she moved in with roommates in a house in Roseburg. She said the landlord caused a hostile environment, not letting her use a portable heater, refrigerator or internet, because the electric bill was too high. When her bicycle tires were slashed and her cat disappeared, it was time to move.

“I’m tired of people being held down. I want to be free,” Sarah grieved. “I feel like the shelter (Samaritan Inn) saved my life,” she told us, “I was so broken, I was at a point of giving up on my life. I was tired of being so low, tired of living. I wanted a life. Its like a lifeboat. I see a really bright future. The fear has been taken away, there is peace.” She continued to say, “It gave me a second chance financially. I got tired of SSI, it was not enough to live on. I wanted to help vets, to be a role model, to show them they can do it. And my depression was getting bad sitting around. I need people to talk to. I have to keep myself busy.” Now Sarah is surrounded by people. She has made friends here and encourages those with similar struggles. She added, “I like chapel; it gives me hope. I feel like God kept me alive. I have had so many close calls. I feel safe. I’m scared to be by myself. I want to be free.” Then Sarah quoted, “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” John 8:36.