Main Street

It took a few times but she got it

by Charity James—Minnesota

Last night while I was canvassing in an apartment complex. I knocked on the door of a 98-year-old lady. After going over the rap with her, I asked her to sign up. All she kept saying was, “this is crazy, because I pay $660 a month for rent, and we do need more affordable housing.” I stood confused for a second, then noticed that she thought I was offering affordable housing.

Again, I let her know what we were about. She then let me know that she was having a hard time hearing, but her hearing aid had been misplaced and her health care plan wouldn’t allow her to have a new one for another two months. She said that if she had better health care, she would be able to hear me better. I told her “that’s what we are out here fighting for.” She signed up and became a dues-paying member.

After about 20 minutes in her home, I was ready to go, but not before I gave her a couple of numbers for better housing.

Tags: Health Care, Housing, membership, seniors