Anna Mowry - please read my story...
Hello Hero- My friend who lives in Utah told me to write you and tell you my "story". Well, I procrastinated for a couple of weeks because I always think there's someone in greater need than myself and that my "story" is just like everyone else's- I'm broke, I work my butt off and can barely feed my kids, and I need help. But I got to thinking about the fact that I AM like a lot of other people and the sun shines on us all sometimes, so why not give it a try. I'm not a gambler, but in this case, the saying "you can't win if you don't play" can't dig my hole any deeper anyway, so here it goes... I am a single mother of five beautiful super smart kids-ages 5,7,9, 15 & 16- that I adore, although they make me crazy on a daily basis. I manage to get them most of what they need by shopping the clearance racks at the end of the season sales, and just by years of experience penny pinching- I could win it all on "The Price Is Right" if I ever got on that show! I don't buy what we don't absolutely need and I rarely splurge on anything that's not at least 50% off. We all live in a 900 sq. ft house that was superficially & poorly remodeled - of course I didn't realize this until after I bought the house and everything started falling apart. The energy bills are outrageous because it has original windows from 1950 that feel like they're open year round. I tried to qualify for the great weatherization programs now available to get new double paned windows and other energy-saving home modifications. I met all the criteria, except in 2001 I had a weatherization program come out to try to solve the problem and they cheated their way through the work, actually handing me a case of window caulk and telling me to caulk my windows closed. The gentleman that came out to do the inspection this year was appalled and outraged, but his hands were tied because of the government guidelines. I work (for 14 years now) for a non profit Organization in Tulsa as Art Clinic Director, offering brothers and sisters in need an opportunity to work off small loans for food, bus tokens, eyeglasses, utilities payments and other services we offer to allow them to contribute to the community while repaying their debts to allow them further assistance if necessary, in the future. I love my job and the hours are perfect for me so that I don't have to go on welfare to get daycare for my little ones, but I haven't had a raise in all the years I have worked here- no one has. I do the best I can at everything that I do and I have tried to instill that mentality in my kids. "If you don't have time to do it right in the first place, where do you find the time to do it over again?" is my favorite mantra. I am also an artist- I love stained glass mosaics & sterling silver jewelry w/ semi precious gemstones. I mainly do art shows to sell my work here in Tulsa. The stained glass is my favorite but also the most difficult do work on because I have to do it outside on my porch- there's just no room in the house for it. I find old wooden house windows(free) and use them as my canvases for the mosiacs. I like the idea of giving the windows a new look and recycling, and it makes them great for hanging. I tried selling on the internet, but we don't have a computer at home, so that was quickly defeated. I do my work in short sprints as I can because I really don't have space to work-leaving glass or beads out is too dangerous for the kids or the supplies- I can't afford to fix or replace either. I really need a bigger house or a studio. There is a vacant house directly across the street from my house that is currently an eyesore to everyone in the neighborhood except me... I silently dream of buying it and making it my studio/dorm for my teenagers when they go to college in a couple of years. Attached you will find a few samples of my work. The last thing I guess I need to tell you is that I really need gastric bypass surgery. My thyroid doesn't work and I had my Achilles tendon severed in a car accident and have been unable to lose the weight from my last three pregnancies and have steadily been gaining because of my increased immobility. Before my pregnancies and accident, I was very athletic and active and loved to ride my bike and hike and just enjoy the outdoor life. I joined the YMCA this year after learning that I could bring all of my kids while I work out and they would be safe and supervised while I take water aerobics, which I love. I tried to get my insurance company to cover the cost of the surgery and qualified with all of the life threatening symptoms except-thank God-diabetes. I was told that it is NEVER covered and that I would have to pay for it myself. I don't know what to do at this point and have just about given up, but I really want to live for my kids and know that given the chance, I would do what it takes to take full advantage of such an opportunity if it came my way. I could go on but these seem to be the most pressing issues I could use a hand with. Thank you for what you are doing-even if you don't choose me. It's a blessing just knowing there are people like you out there. I see people in need on my job every day and it's great to know there are people like yourself still. Like the sign on my office door says "We must always attempt to lift as we climb"~Angela Davis. Keep up the good work- it is appreciated by us all! Peace~ Anna Mowry 545 East Zion St. Tulsa, OK 74106 (918)378-2525 (w)918/425-5578, ext. 104