After sitting empty for two years, someone else is now living in Pat’s home.
When Pat’s dad died, she used her inheritance to make the down payment on a house in Raytown. The house was home to Pat and her two sons for 18 years.
Pat worked as a security guard for a company; she had been in the job for five years. She made enough to support herself and her family; the health insurance through her job made it possible to keep her diabetes and COPD w/bronchitis in check. Â
When she was let go, she received unemployment but it wasn’t enough to make the house payment or to pay for insurance. She lost her home.
She did find another job and moved into an 
apartment. But, then she had a car accident …and couldn’t work …and couldn’t keep the apartment.
Pat became homeless in September 2007.
She has moved from place to place, spending some nights in a homeless shelter. At times, she has lived in a car. Right now, she is living in the basement of the house of a friend of her mothers. Six others, three generations of the family, live upstairs in the house
A friend told Pat about the Clinic 9 months ago. She rides the bus to and from appointments and says that it is an easy trip with only one transfer. Her diabetes is now under control. She has had some much dental work and has been able to take advantage of other clinic services. With care from the Clinic, she at least has medical care and can take the proper medications.
Pat’s wants are basic – she wants a place to live that is her own, where she can have things that are hers. She would like to work again, but it is hard getting a job when you are homeless and don’t have a car or a phone. Pat is on the waiting list for low income housing and has applied for social security disability.
For more information about the Kansas City Free Health Clinic, call 816-753-5144 or visit www.kcfree.org.