Letter to Congressman Defazio

November 7, 2011

 

 

            Hello, my name is John Arthur Ernst. I live in Springfield Oregon. I am 43 years old. I would like to first tell you a little about my self. I grew up around the Washington D. C. area after being adopted by Jerome Ernst and Margaret Spoonhour. My childhood was full of blessings and turmoil. The blessings were from the wonderful family I was adopted into and the turmoil stemmed from my mixed racial background and rebellious spirit which landed me in a state institution for my formative years of high school graduating from the Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents.  I moved to Oregon following my children in the summer of 1995 after dropping out of Baltimore International College short of my degrees. I have had my fair share of obstacles to over come in the last fifteen years. I graduated the S.U.M.M.I.T. boot camp in 96’, the Drug Court Program in 07’ and the Christians, as Family Advocates program in 08’. I was a homeless addict living on the streets in 06’ and went back to school at Lane Community College earning a Associates in Applied Sciences degree in 10’.

            Last year I underwent two successive traumas that have changed my life, caused me to drop out of school, and robbed me of my physical health which has put serious tolls on my mental health. I have been attempting to find medical treatment to diagnose and treat my physical ailment for almost a year. I do not have medical insurance so this is hampered my diagnosis and recovery.  I am in therapy to address my life long mental illness which has been evident in my actions and thoughts which has caused me a fair amount of chagrin at times. I am a financial burden on my father who has been paying all my bills for the last 11 months. Yes, I am blessed to have someone in my life that is able to provide such a wonderful gift. It was my father who is often thinking of me who spoke to a young lady that had received her SSI by writing a letter to her congressmen. It is upon this suggestion that I am writing to you. I could use your help in expediting the process involved in attaining a SSI determination.

            My overall wish is to become a productive and active member of society that can use my unique story to inspire others, and find a place of peace of mind.

 

Thank you,

 

Chef John Arthur Ernst