Senior years: back pain and tooth trouble

The following is a first-person account by an individual who is helped by the Salvation Army food bank, the recipient of this year’s Be An Angel campaign. To donate, visit The Herald office, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., at 101-186 Nanaimo Ave. W., or visit www.pentictonherald.ca.

I am a person who has used the food bank for four years.

I used to be living alone. Now I live with someone just to make ends meet. I’m just last month a senior. I never thought this day would come, I guess.

Without going into things too much, my problems that have left me in need of support are a back injury because of a car accident six years ago, and now my teeth are causing me even more pain than the six years of back pain.

I took matters into my own hands a few months ago and pulled one tooth myself that was half broken off. No way could I ever afford to pay for the thing to be extracted and three times I was up at the hospital emergency room trying to do something about it.

My other most pressing problem is getting around. I gave up my car and thought I would save some money, so I did not have to share an apartment, but then everything in the grocery store went up — meat, eggs, milk. Everything has gone up.

What is the logic of the cost of living going up, but income staying the same? Good thing is I can probably get one of those scooters that everyone is getting these days.

At least I’m in Penticton. Things could be much worse.

Thanks for the help with food. Sure hope the teeth will hold up for a few more years so I can chew.