And This Too Shall Pass

I try very hard to keep a smile on my face each day. My daughter who helps me as much as she can always tells me "we're gonna be okay mommy, we always are". My heart smiles when my grandson who is a senior in High School and on the Honor Roll says to me "I'm proud of you mommy for fighting for what is right". He's been calling me mommy for as long as I can remember. Never in a million years did I think I'd find myself in the position I am now in. Unable to go to work, living off of disability and now tasked with finding a new place to live, and affordable place for someone in my situation.

We take for granted working, the excellent coverage we receive from our employers and all the other perks that go along with being employed. Until the day it's all snatched from beneath you due to know fault of your own. Be grateful for your jobs, no matter how meaningful others may think it is. I often tell my daughter "Can't know one tell your story better then you". So here I am telling mine.

I'm angry, at times I feel like I have absolutely NO more fight in me, but I look at my daughter and grandson and know I must keep pushing forward. I try not to allow the actions of others change me. Although it's hard at times. For some reason I always think that people will do the right thing, I guess I think this way because that's how I am. Always looking for the good in people. 

It takes me sometime to write in my blog, I'm unable to sit for long periods of time, however it feels like therapy, me writing. I guess we all need an outlet. Maybe I could advocate for people like me? I often think to myself. People that don't know their rights or are not familiar with the landlord tenant laws. Surely I was not aware of all of my rights. And most people won't advocate for themselves they're to afraid of what the slumlord may do knowing that's the only place they can afford. I'm not sure what the future holds for me at this point. I fall a lot, my foot swells if I'm on it to long, yes I say again I'm angry but not yet defeated.

My credit has taken a horrible hit behind this three and a half year fight. My savings gone! Just trying to live day to day is a struggle. And lord knows I miss my Blue Cross Blue Shield. When you've worked all your life and something like this happens to you, you feel helpless and it seems as if know one cares. I can't live in what happened yesterday, I can only try and move forward I'm simply thankful that I didn't go completely through the porch fore I would probably be dead.

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Can You Say Perjury?

The trial was over in November 2019, here we are in December 2019 and I get a text from the property manager stating she'd like to come by with a contractor to look over the porch! I'm confused didn't you swear in court the porch was perfectly fine? Didn't the owner do the same? It's funny how people sit in court, lie under oath then call you and ask for your assistance with gaining access to the property that's so perfect....

I recall back in 2016 after the porch was so called repaired, running into one of the contractor's in fact he was the owner of the company. He asked "how are you liking your new porch"? I replied "it's still not fixed, it's still pulling away from the house". He then asked that I send him the picture (yes the same picture below) so he can get with the property manager to schedule a date to fix it. Well here we are going into 2020. Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying.

At this point all I can say is shame on the lawyers shame on the Delaware court system shame on the insurance companies that back these slumlords. I may not matter to them but I matter to my family. I was the glue that once held things together and that was taken from me all due to someone else's negligence. 

Eventually everything you do in the dark comes out in the light. I'm angry, I'm pissed, but I'm not defeated. I will always fight for whats right it beats standing on the side lines and looking the other way......

On December 12th 2019 I received the below text messages from the property manager, asking to gain access to my home with a contractor. I personally see no need to grant access. Why would you need to come here with a contractor after swearing under oath there was absolutely nothing wrong with the porch? Why would you need to gain access after stating in court "Oh sometimes Ms. Prince can be a bit dramatic"? "We fix things immediately"? The below picture of the porch was taken on December 27th 2016 and here we are in December 2019 after the trial and suddenly you want to come with a contractor? I'm sorry did you lie under oath? Because from where I sit my case was lost due to your lies!

Slumlords I've learned do just enough to get them by. They care nothing about the property nor their tenants. It's all about making money. Knowing the court system will back them. Lord knows I'm angry. I must figure out these medical bills, cost of living and finding a new place to call home all of which will be difficult. I can only hope this blog helps someone....

The thing that still has me extremely confused is, in the text received the property manager clearly states the porch is safe. So I question why the need for a contractor? Again I've lived in this house for almost ten years and in those ten years the property manager has NOT done one property inspection! Take notes people. Keep records, this could very well be you one day. My left foot, stays numb and swells if I'm on it to long. Yet no one is responsible.

Now you need access to the porch?

The trial was over in November 2019, here we are in December 2019 and I get a text from the property manager stating she'd like to come by with a contractor to look over the porch! I'm confused didn't you swear in court the porch was perfectly fine? Didn't the owner do the same? It's funny how people sit in court, lie under oath then call you and ask for your assistance with gaining access to the property that's so perfect....

I recall back in 2016 after the porch was so called repaired, running into one of the contractor's in fact he was the owner of the company. He asked "how are you liking your new porch"? I replied "it's still not fixed, it's still pulling away from the house". He then asked that I send him the picture (yes the same picture below) so he can get with the property manager to schedule a date to fix it. Well here we are going into 2020. Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying.

At this point all I can say is shame on the lawyers shame on the Delaware court system shame on the insurance companies that back these slumlords. I may not matter to them but I matter to my family. I was the glue that once held things together and that was taken from me all due to someone else's negligence. 

Eventually everything you do in the dark comes out in the light. I'm angry, I'm pissed, but I'm not defeated. I will always fight for whats right it beats standing on the side lines and looking the other way......

On December 12th 2019 I received the below text messages from the property manager, asking to gain access to my home with a contractor. I personally see no need to grant access. Why would you need to come here with a contractor after swearing under oath there was absolutely nothing wrong with the porch? Why would you need to gain access after stating in court "Oh sometimes Ms. Prince can be a bit dramatic"? "We fix things immediately"? The below picture of the porch was taken on December 27th 2016 and here we are in December 2019 after the trial and suddenly you want to come with a contractor? I'm sorry did you lie under oath? Because from where I sit my case was lost due to your lies!

Slumlords I've learned do just enough to get them by. They care nothing about the property nor their tenants. It's all about making money. Knowing the court system will back them. Lord knows I'm angry. I must figure out these medical bills, cost of living and finding a new place to call home all of which will be difficult. I can only hope this blog helps someone....

The thing that still has me extremely confused is, in the text received the property manager clearly states the porch is safe. So I question why the need for a contractor? Again I've lived in this house for almost ten years and in those ten years the property manager has NOT done one property inspection! Take notes people. Keep records, this could very well be you one day. My left foot, stays numb and swells if I'm on it to long. Yet no one is responsible.

The Trial......

After waiting over three years for a trial date, we were scheduled for July 2019. I was excited. I guess most of my excitement was me believing that I would finally be able to close the book on this chapter of my life and make some type of attempt to move forward. But if you know "Murphy's Law" whatever can go wrong will go wrong. My Lawyer call's me to advise me that the trial has been moved to November 2019. When I questioned why? The response given was "The owner travels to Italy the same time each year, and doesn't wish to cancel his trip"! Well to hell with me and my family! We weren't even worth so much as an apology....

Year's of struggling, wondering how I'd pay my bill's, move, feed my family. Being permanently disabled and trying to live off of Social Security Disability is the greatest trick the devil ever pulled.
November 2019 finally arrives I'm happy I finally get my day in court.

Jury selection took a long time. When I looked at the final selection I was sure this was not a Jury of my peers. The Judge said "He sees the property manager at the gym from time to time but he doesn't know her"! Really, when I use to go to the gym I didn't even notice people unless we had a conversation or two..... I'm not an Attorney but it seems to me the Judge should have "Recused" himself. There was a substitute teacher on the Jury that told the Judge she knows the property manger. They're both teachers at the same high school but she has only subbed for her from time to time. The judge allowed her to stay oh, because she stated she could be fair.. What a joke! There were jurors sleeping which I bought to my attorneys attention. But I was told "we're not gonna report them to the judge because they would then give an unfavorable verdict". In my opinion the case was already a loss... Never in a million years did I think people would lie under oath, but it really didn't matter the case was in the defendants favor the moment the judge didn't recuse himself...

I mean the contractor swore the porch was fine had know door maybe one board loose. The property manager claimed "we fix things in a timely fashion" although there were over 10 months worth of text messages between her and I about the porch and more between her and the owner stating the porch needs to be replaced. The photo below was taken December 2016. They claimed they repaired the porch between August and October 2016. So can anyone explain to me why is there a picture taken in December 2016 of the porch still pulling away from the house? And still looks like this today.

The whole trial in my opinion was a joke. I guess they are simply held to save face. During Jury instruction the Judge inserted the word "No" in one of his instructions and sent the jurors to deliberate thank goodness myself and my attorney heard it. About 20 mins later after the court reporter read him (the Judge) the instruction back. The Judge called the Jurors back to correct himself. Again in my opinion it was to late the seed had been planted.

Needless to say with all the evidence, doctors reports etc. We lost the case. the Judge was gracious enough to allow my attorneys to file a motion within 5 days. Which they did, however those motions won't be argued in the court because the Judge denied them! I am angry I'm upset I'm pissed. lost wages, lost medical, lost stocks 401K depleted.. My life as I knew it before is gone. Do I start a go fund me page and beg for help? Do I get Pay pal, Cash app? I am literally in the Twilight Zone right now. Had someone told me this story I'd never would have believed them..

The owner threatened at his deposition once the case is over he would throw me out the house, and isn't it crazy not even 5 days after the court decision I receive a sixty day notice. But how can this be? If motions were filed this means the verdict will be on hold until the Judge renders a decision. Again the fix was in. I was sent the notice because they knew the motions would be denied. Year's of complaining thinking I was doing everything right. Trying to keep the peace spending my own money on this house. After 9 years of complaints it took a civil suit to get a new roof new windows new heating unit etc. And now I'm being thrown to the streets like trash. Could it be they're not making money off the house because they had to put money out finally? Either way it doesn't matter I'm left disabled and completely broke, and according to the Delaware court system the tenant is miraculously responsible for repairing an owners property.

As we try to find our way, I just want to tell people if your right fight make your voice heard, never ever allow a slum lord to take advantage of you or take your kindness for weakness because in my experience you will lose in the end and know one gives a damn....

My New Normal....

It's amazing how thing's play out sometime's. One minute your riding high, paying your bill's taking care of your family, helping other's that need a little help. And in a instant you suddenly feel as if you've become a burden to your friends and family. It's crazy how you can switch sides not because you want to but because unforeseen circumstances force you to.

Six months after being out of work my medical coverage was taken away from me. My employer offered me Cobra inurance but really, who can afford that on short/long term disability? Therapy on the regular basis, doctor visits constantly, falling due to sharp pains in my leg. I'd use my hands to brace my fall most times if I found myself falling forwad, but when I fell backwards I was and still am at the mercy of this injury. Doing this caused me to lose my front tooth when I fell trying to walk up the stairs. With absolutely no medical nor dental coverge I had to go to another state to get my tooth fixed. I fell backwards a few times which lead to me having surgery on my right wrist due to a torn "TFCC".

It's rare that I leave the house, yet this house is a constant reminder of what happened to me. The pain is ongoing, the sleepless nights are never ending. I'm unable to walk for long periods, sit for long periods, at times I feel as If I'm just sitting here waiting to die. It took my lawyers over a year to find the owner of the properties insurance company due to the owner and property manager being extremly uncoopertive. It's hard for me to get up and down the stairs so I have to rely on my daughter. This upsets me she is young and should be living her life, yet she's trying to care for me her 52 year old mother. Never in my wildest dreams did I see this coming. Can't afford to move, can't buy food nor the simple neccessities of life, this doesn't happen to me, this happens to other people. The fighter in me is slowly being picked away and I feel helpless to stop it. It's hard going from working everyday and loving what you do to looking at that BMW you once drove knowing you now can't afford the maintenace and the payments any longer. What a scary dose of reality. You work all your life, raise your kids and you suddenly wake up as this person in need of help and can't get help nowhere.

I've been diagnosed with permanent nerve damage and what's called Drop foot. My left foot and leg constantly swells If I'm on it to long, at times I'm unable to bend my toes. My doctor had a brace made for me but most times I'm unable to wear it due to the swelling. The brace is made of a hard plastic and goes from the inside my shoe up to my knee, but with the swelling I can't use it. the day's of manicures and pedicures are pretty much long gone. It's crazy what can happen to a tenant and not a soul be held accountable...….

Pain medication is not an option for me. The most I will take is Ibuprofen. I'm angry and most don't understand. It's like they say when the music stops and the smoke clears the only person in the world you can count on is you. But how do you count on you when you can barely get around.

When your life as you knew it changes....

I often wondered  when people appeared in court would they lie under oath to save their own skin? Or, would they be compelled to tell the truth? I recently got my answer when I bought a Civil Suit against a slum lord. Honestly I believe I'm still in shock, but anyway here's my story...…..

At the time of my injury which caused me to be disabled for the rest of my life, I had  been living in this rental home for about 6 years. It wasn't in the best shape nor was it in the best neighborhood it was simply what I could afford. Before we get into "you should have just moved" you must understand it's much easier to say then do. I put a lot of my own money into the property trying to make it suitable for my daughter and I. However there were many things that I simply could not afford to do so I would bring these issues to the property manager and the owners attention. Most times the issues would be ignored.

I complained often about the porch attached to the rear of the home via phone calls and text messages. Often a contractor would come state the porch was "safe" and "the owner didn't want to pay him to do any work to the porch". I continuously took pictures and documented each and every complaint. I stopped allowing my daughter and her friends access to the porch, in spite of what the contractor said.

In June of 2016 my daughter asked if I could put some food on the grill for her and her friends. It was a Saturday and I was pretty much relaxing because I had to go to work on Sunday. I plugged my cell phone in so my daughter and her friends would have some music on while they sat at they table in the backyard. I alone was sitting in a chair on the porch. And this my friends is where my life would be forever changed..... I got up to go check the food on the grill and as I walked towards the door of the porch the floor board broke and my left foot went down through it! I immediately caught myself and began yelling profanities. (Obviously because my complaints fell on deaf ear's.) I yelled down to my daughter and told her to check the food on the grill and that I was going to bed due to having to go to work the next day. My daughter heard me yell and asked if I was alright. I replied yes and walked off the porch. I was so pissed. I walked off the porch angry and went upstairs to bed. 4:30 am comes around really quick, and Sunday's are my Monday.

At about 2:00 am I woke to go to the bathroom. As I stepped out my bed I fell to the floor, I kept trying to stand and kept falling. there was a sharp pain in my leg and I couldn't stand on my left foot. I was rushed to the hospital and immediately the doctor assumed the injury occurred on my job. (I guess because I was wearing a t-shirt from my job) I explained what occurred earlier at my home. the doctor took x-rays, gave me crutches and suggested I follow up with a podiatrist. About 3 hours after I returned home the emergency room doctor called to advise me to stay off my left foot due to bone fragments being chipped off the top of my foot.

I followed up with a podiatrist I had seen a month or so before. After seeing him several times he suggested I see his partner which I did. I was sent for what's called an "EMG" exam which revealed I had permanent nerve damage in my left leg. After months of being home my only option was to hire an attorney.

I recall a young man coming to my home to so call repair the porch. This man the owner claimed to be a licensed contractor. He was not, he was an addict on disability. This man came to my home left some tools, called the owner and told him he needed $300.00 dollars and went home and died from a overdose...