Robert Williams

Robert Needs Your Help

My name is Stephanie Williams. I am the mother of two sons, Nico who is gifted and talented. He is getting ready to graduate from Morehouse College. Robert my other son is 15. He has special needs, he has cerebral palsy, cortical blindness, asthma, epilepsy, development delay, he can’t walk, talk, or use the bathroom on his own.

My mother who has helped me take care of Robert died and I got a divorce about two years ago because my husband and Robert’s father became very abusive. Nico my oldest son came to East Chicago and relocated us to Atlanta to live with him for our safety.

I was an engineer for IBM 17 years. I was successful and able to maintain all our bills until Robert was born. I left my job in California to move back home near my mother so she could help me with Robert. There I was the director of the boy scouts for the south side of Chicago for four years which really helped my older son. They sent him to London England to the world jamboree and to Washington D.C. as a leader.

But when my mother died and since I had no one to watch Robert I became a teacher for the next two years so I could work while Robert was at school. His father was a truck driver and his big brother left for college. It was difficult shoveling snow before work to get Robert’s ramp cleaned off for his wheelchair so he could get to school. To make a long story short, after the last abusive episode and my oldest son coming to get me twice, I left my husband for my and Robert’s safety. Unfortunately I didn’t get child support and we had to get on social security for Robert. My son and I couldn’t afford his house and it had steps and Robert was getting bigger and I was getting older so after a year we got evicted and little Robert and I were left homeless. I have no one to watch Robert and he is a full time job.

I prayed and called everyone seeking help with no one able to assist. I even called the mayor of Atlanta to help me. The only apartment the city could find was on the 2nd floor so legally he couldn’t give that to us so he sent me to a lady in Human Services who immediately led me to the Nicholas House.

The Nicholas House and case manager Natasha Gilbert was my angel from God, a prayer answered. She sent me to look at a one level townhome that had 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and it was perfect. I am able to pay what I can afford toward rent while Nicholas House helps pay the rest. And together we are looking at how we can find a long-term solution. This has been the best year of my life even though we have no money. I have learned how to budget and I have gotten so much help for Robert and I have been able to take care of him full time. He hasn’t had a seizure, he has gotten equipment to help him walk and talk.
We are still working on a long term solution to be fully self-sufficient given the time needs I have to ensure the health of Robert. But God answers prayer. I am not where I want to be yet but currently I am working as a part time cashier at dollar tree. Because I got this minimum wage job to pay my rent (it takes two checks to pay my rent). My food stamps were reduced from $350 a month to $15 a month and now I have no medical for myself. If anything happens to me I don’t know what Robert will do. My major problem is safe transportation for Robert and myself so I can transport him with his wheelchair and communication device. I have one grant for $5000 that I will soon lose if I don’t use. I cant find a co-signer for a wheelchair van and even with the $5000 I still need $20,000 more for the van so I am praying you find it in your hearts this season to help me and my son. We have a nurse to help me out 5 days a week. I am off on weekends and we go to church on Sunday. Robert got baptized and he has started high school.

It is a miracle we are standing here today and I thank the Nicholas House for helping us transition to the next level. Nicholas House has helped me in getting housing that we needed, resources and support for Robert and our household needs, and is helping me with a long-term housing sustainability plan. I know with the help of God we will make it. We will be able to maintain our own housing and self- support and Robert will have a brighter future than he ever has. Thank you all for helping because your help changes the lives and futures of families like mine.

Thank you.