Food Stamps - Welfare

I recently saw several postings on fb that went something like "someday I'll be able to afford an iphone like the girl in front of me with the food stamps".   I admit - I don't like it when others cheat either - but I wonder how much "cheating" there is REALLY going on.  I guess I have a different take on "entitlements" from the government because my family receives a lot of them and will be getting even more when Sal turns 18.  

Here's what I mean:   The school bus picks Sally up at our door - has ever since she's gone to school (age 3).  Now granted there were years when she was bussed to Pioneer (across town) and so it was necessary but for 9 years she went to either grade school or jr high that is in walking distance from our house (Jack has and will continue to hoof it or ride his bike till he hits BHS).   Here's my point- I could have taken her - I could have walked her - took her in my car - you name it - but the transportation is given "free" to kids with special needs.  To me, this is kind of like the food stamp lady.   But here's the deal:  Sal is more independent by riding the bus, she has to rely on others to be able to understand her, to help her, etc.   On the other hand it helps me tremendously!  I was able to spend more time one on one with Jack, I was able to save gas money, which in turn I used to eat out.  We eat out a lot.  And anyone could say the same of me "I'll be able to eat out a lot when I have a daughter with special needs".  But that eating out keeps me sane sometimes.  It's a chance to get out and feel a little "normal".  Maybe the food stamp lady is like that too.  Maybe she has scraped a saved all just to get an iphone so she can feel somewhat "normal" or like "someone" or "connected".  Maybe we should all step back and walk in other's shoes before we judge so harshly. 

I do know that Bill and I live pretty much paycheck to paycheck like so many of us do right now.  I don't work so I can be here for the kids - it's hard to keep decent hours when you might be called to school at any time and the fact that you HAVE to - no matter what - be there when the bus pulls up or all holy hell will break loose.  My mother used to always tell me "money isn't everything - in fact it's hardly anything".  I think that's the problem - we put WAY too much stock in money.  We put WAY too much stalk in "he's getting more than me".   Jack would always start that "It's not fair thing".   I always reminded him that it wasn't fair that Sal was born the way she was.  It wasn't fair that Uncle Mike fell off a roof and will never walk again.  You don't deserve what you get and thank God, you don't get what you deserve.  So the next time you get ticked at the people taking all your tax money to be on food stamps - think of Sal riding on the bus that you paid for and smile - she does.  :-)