Part 8

Spencer graduated with a degree in Respiratory Therapy in 2008. Yeah oh man that year was the start of a down slide for us.

He graduated with really good grades, from a school that was loved in the medical field (at the time). Only problem was no one was hiring. Our economy had started to decline in 2000 and it was all coming to a head that year. He tried putting in resumes all over the country. It was so disheartening!

At the same time people around us were telling us that we weren’t doing enough for Spencer to get hired. That we weren’t trying hard enough to get resumes out. That was all I was doing was submitting resumes while Spencer was at work. They thought I was only putting in resumes in our area. That was so not the case. But they never asked. They just assumed. Also everyone wanted us to move out of state. I never understood that. It was just as bad everywhere else.

It took him 6 months to find a Respiratory Therapy job. It was a huge miracle that he was even hired. It was such a nice campus too. It was called John C. Lincoln- Deer Valley Campus back then. It had one of the best PEDS ED’s (ER).

We moved out the same month he was hired. Got our own apartment because let’s face it that was all anyone could afford at the time. I had mentioned looking at 3 bedroom apartments and wanting to check the price. We were told that was the biggest mistake of our lives. (Have I ever mentioned I felt like I was living in the twilight zone?). I wanted to separate Connor and Rylee but we just couldn’t afford it. We had to move into a 2 bedroom. Which we still live in to this day. We never ever got a 3 bedroom. Well same person told everyone we got a 3 bedroom and that we were dumb for it and so when we were moving people were mad at us and acted coldly toward us. (I didn’t want to ask for help for that very reason).

A year after Spencer was hired his pay was cut by $6 an hour. That was a huge hit. At the same time our medical bills just kept adding up. It was such an anxious time. We went from feeling like wow, yes we are finally going somewhere in life, to being kicked down again. And of course being kicked while down by others. When I voiced my concern and worries, I was told other people had it worse so I didn’t have the right to feel that way. I should be more grateful of what I had. I was plenty grateful thank you very much.

We ended up having to file bankruptcy because of our medical bills. It was the only solution we could come up with. People couldn’t understand why I wasn’t working (well because I couldn’t). Every time I saw certain people they would say you need to find a way to work. We need to find you a job.

The other lecture I would get was I shouldn’t spend money ever. Sometimes I would have friends give me their used clothes so I had something to wear and I would get lectured saying I shouldn’t spend tons of money on clothes and that I needed to get stuff from the second hand store. I finally had to say one time that my outfit was free and that was better than the second hand store. If I went and got the kids a burger on the value menu because it was a bad day, I was lectured. I was lectured about everything. I found out later, part of it was because someone had started a rumor (without knowing me), that I was stupid, ditzy and immature and what was Spencer doing with me. (You really can’t make this stuff up).

Spencer (Critical Care trained and worked in the PEDS ED) survived a couple rounds of lay offs. But by the time 2011 came around he was laid off with the rest of them.

Side Note- in the middle of all of this we joined a Special Olympics Team called the Gilbert Roadrunners. They would become our family. Coaching helped keep my mind off of everything going on. 10 years later we are still with the team and still coaching. We love you guys and all the experiences and opportunities we have had because of you!

Spencer losing his job crushed me. It was added on to other things going on. And because the economy was still bad, there was no hiring. Hospitals were shutting down. Hospitals were keeping skeleton crews of respiratory therapists. Spencer tried hard to get back in. Presently he is just now getting calls and emails for positions.

To Be Continued.