Different

Aunjanue had been living in Colorado for the last year. She’d left after a fight with Jude. He’d not been taking care of himself. The most recent hospitalization just prior to her leaving for Colorado stemmed from an infection in his foot. From a cut he didn’t know he had. The Diabetic Neuropathy had taken its toll leaving him with no feeling in his feet. She’d known that for a while. He’d say he didn’t feel his feet before saying he had some feeling the following day. As if he couldn’t make up his mind. She’d left after shaming him for lying to her about what Doctors had said. After he’d downplayed everything else. He’d been placed into an Assisted Living Facility not long after that. The Dementia diagnosis changed everything. 

She’d gone through everything she knew would never be used, packed everything she knew she’d bring before donating everything else. Aunjanue had a feeling he’d be placed into an ALF at some point after she left. She’d managed to save what she could. Her job as a Dishwasher hadn’t paid much. She worked a few more hours during the holidays. Her Disabilities prevented her from working more. She hadn’t cared at first. Until she saw where her current life was going. She’d sold several things in hopes of being able to save a little more. She’d not had much success. She sold her drawings at the local Farmers Market when she had that day off. 

She’d reflected on everything the entire plane ride. She’d booked a room in an extended stay Hotel. She reached out to places she hoped would help her get Disability. She’d not been able to get it while in Florida. She’d been denied enough times that going back to work was the only option given her circumstances at the time. She’d stopped working after passing out a few times because of heart issues she’d not been able to deal with. There wasn’t any money or help for her to get it dealt with. She’d gotten the help she desperately needed from everywhere she’d reached out to. She’d gotten Disability a month after applying for it again. Ben, the Lawyer she went to, helped her far more than she ever thought possible. She was grateful for the help he gave her. She’d been able to move into a studio apartment not long after getting Disability. A Loft near a Train Station. She’d used the local transit system to explore her new home. 

She’d begun her new job after getting settled down. She’d become their Spokesperson of sorts after a while. She’d used her story to help others see that Disabled people can live a normal life. She’d left the store after increased health issues prevented her from working more than before. She was no longer able to work a four hour shift. She’d become a Speaker after her health improved. She shared her story in a way that left people thinking. She’d stopped speaking to focus on the Memoir she’d begun writing. She’d often sit on her balcony or in a nearby Coffee Shop writing. She knew people would read it after she published it.