2008 Woodie Awards
Putting on another person's shoes
Dusty L Swendson
Issue date: 2/16/07 Section: Opinion
In my American Philosophical Heritage class, every person had to come up with an individual project that got us involved in some type of government process. I had a difficult time thinking of something I would like to do, but I finally decided that I would try and see what it feels like to go through the process of applying for government assistance. I was not quite sure how to go about doing this at first, so I did what most do now a days and got on the internet. The thing that I saw first was contact the local Social Rehabilitation Services (SRS) office. I called them, and they directed me to the web again for the online application which you feel out and either email or walk in and deliver. The information that I was required to provide was copies of bills, a month worth of payroll statements, and household composition. The last page of the application had a spot for signatures below a large government warning cautioning applicants to make sure that no false statements or mistakes were made in filling out all the forms, and if there are errors there are penalties that can be levied.
After the application was filled out, I decided that instead of emailing it in, I would take it in and hand it to someone personally and tell them what it was for. This was the point that gave me the greatest feeling of humility where I had to admit to someone that, "Yes, I am applying for food stamps." When I gave it to the woman, she took it from me with an indifferent stare and no smile, which made me feel even more out of place. Before going in I was a little nervous of who might see me going into the building as many stigmatize people who get public assistance as beggars and I didn't really want that to be put on me, and upon leaving I made a sigh of relief after hurrying back to my car. In reality, I should have feared nothing as the process is almost completely confidential and no one would no unless I told them.
The whole process taught me that it takes humility to suck down one's pride and ask for help, even if that help is coming from a government machine and I will never have to face anyone else. I think of fathers or mothers who are doing the best they can for their children and may have to ask for help and how this actually takes guts to do and admit that they need a hand. They are most likely just in a hard time financially in life, and just need help for a short time, so they ask the government for assistance; or maybe a family member or a friend for a loan that they will pay back in time. Either way it is a difficult thing to admit one's short comings and that they need help. Imagine have to ask for a loan from a family member or friend. That must take ten times the humility when compared to asking that machine, because they have to ask people with whom they must see on a regular basis and until paying them back feel indebted and possible a little shame. It is sad that people come to points like this in their life, where they must ask for help, but it is important that they ask for help and not sacrifice the health of their children or themselves due to pride.
After the application was filled out, I decided that instead of emailing it in, I would take it in and hand it to someone personally and tell them what it was for. This was the point that gave me the greatest feeling of humility where I had to admit to someone that, "Yes, I am applying for food stamps." When I gave it to the woman, she took it from me with an indifferent stare and no smile, which made me feel even more out of place. Before going in I was a little nervous of who might see me going into the building as many stigmatize people who get public assistance as beggars and I didn't really want that to be put on me, and upon leaving I made a sigh of relief after hurrying back to my car. In reality, I should have feared nothing as the process is almost completely confidential and no one would no unless I told them.
The whole process taught me that it takes humility to suck down one's pride and ask for help, even if that help is coming from a government machine and I will never have to face anyone else. I think of fathers or mothers who are doing the best they can for their children and may have to ask for help and how this actually takes guts to do and admit that they need a hand. They are most likely just in a hard time financially in life, and just need help for a short time, so they ask the government for assistance; or maybe a family member or a friend for a loan that they will pay back in time. Either way it is a difficult thing to admit one's short comings and that they need help. Imagine have to ask for a loan from a family member or friend. That must take ten times the humility when compared to asking that machine, because they have to ask people with whom they must see on a regular basis and until paying them back feel indebted and possible a little shame. It is sad that people come to points like this in their life, where they must ask for help, but it is important that they ask for help and not sacrifice the health of their children or themselves due to pride.
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