I got sick about a dozen years ago, lost my job, my house, credit cards, savings, bank account, the works. Had to go assistance.

When I say sick I mean really sick. I lost the ability to leave the house on my own.

A year back I had an adult child try to convince my wife to kick me out. That was terrifying, because what could I do?

At the time I had no personal picture ID (license suspended for driving without insurance ten years earlier), I had no bank account or credit card. Right then I was more vulnerable than I've ever been.

In the last year I got picture ID, my own bank account, somehow a credit card, and online earnings sitting in paypal.

I'm a crippled old man, but I know there are a lot of younger people stuck in similar circumstances. Do what you can to have a way out.