Diana Robinson is Homeless Again!

By Diana Robinson    

I am 60 years old and homeless … again. It’s hard enough to be homeless, even more so when you are old, and blind, like me.

I have five children – three daughters and two sons. My sons are in no position to help themselves, much less help me, so my daughters help me. My middle daughter bought a home and asked me to come live with her. In October or November 2017, I gave up my apartment, where I’d lived for 12 years, put my furniture in storage, and went to live with my daughter and her two children.  I moved in with her, because I thought that if I stayed with her I could help her with the children, and she’d help me catch up on my bills. I now feel that giving up my place was the worst mistake I ever made.

My daughter helps me a lot, but dealing with her two children - 13 years old and 6 years old - is hard. I do not get along with my grandchildren. They are very rude and ill-mannered. It’s very hurtful to think that someone I birthed would have children who act the way hers do. Some children and youth, like my grandchildren, seem to have no respect for their elders.

The problems started at the end of December 2017. My 13 year old grandson would get bored, then pick on his younger brother. The real trouble started one day after he picked up his younger brother, and slammed him on top of me while I was asleep…on the floor! When I got mad at him and locked him in his room, my daughter got mad at me. After that, I started staying with each of my three daughters for a week at a time.

My oldest daughter’s children (14 and 16) don’t talk back, but they don’t always feed me. The younger one will more than the older one. Because of the hours my daughter works, the older one will usually wait until her mother is awake before feeding me. My youngest daughter’s little girl is very respectful. We sometimes bump heads, but she does try to fix me something to eat.

Related or not, it’s difficult for two adult women to live under the same roof! Now I’m trying to find another place for seniors, but it’s been hard for me. My caseworker thinks that I should stay with my daughter! I think I’ll talk with another caseworker who may be more helpful.