It’s been nigh four years since I provided a solid update on my personal situation. Many long-standing visitors know about it, while newcomers might be in the dark on what that exactly is.
Six years ago, New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg and his administration decimated Housing program funds for thousands of low-income families. We were victim of those funding cuts, and I survived a year paying out of my pocket.
Nearly 5 years ago (back on June 17, 2010) a marshal enforced a judge’s decision to evict us from our [apartment]. One where we lived 13 years at. I have to point out that we did never owe rent. Not a cent. The greedy landlord managed to get away somehow with removing us under the basis that we wouldn’t be able to pay his new rent. We never knew what that new amount was until after we talked with the neighbor (after the eviction). The landlord offered him our apartment for $400 above what our former rent was. Not sure how he got away with increasing it so in a controlled-rent apartment.
Moving forward, I ended up in a shelter for the homeless with an elder parent. For a year, the shelter’s cafeteria provided three free meals a day (not very edible food, but better than nothing). After the end of that year (2011), we were relocated to another shelter for the homeless. They didn’t have a cafeteria and we were supposed to use the stoves — except these didn’t have the burner top. You had to basically give up your Photo ID at the lobby to get them, attach it yourself to the stove, then return it when you were done. Take into account there were over 30 rooms per floor and only two stoves per floor. Even shared bathrooms were a pain with people knocking the door with attitude.
There was a situation that scared the heck of us. While my parent was at a shared bathroom, the next-door neighbor slam the bathroom door, yelling and asking her to let him use the bathroom. Kinda silly with six bathrooms per floor. The neighbors had to come out to assist her. Another neighbor punched him in the nuggin’. Days later, the same problematic neighbor stabbed a guy with a knife. I had a strong verbal situation with him 2 days before, which made me realize how close I was to be stabbed. To prevent verbal fights, or interaction with other tenants (we got scared, mind us) we decided never to use the shared kitchen. We relied on buying cooked food at about $6 per meal at nearby restaurants. I don’t think I will miss crispy chicken sandwishes, pizza, and greasy/salty rice and beans with even saltier beef stew. Not a lot of variety in our menu those 4 years.
I wouldn’t be able to describe all the bad moments we endured throughout those five years in less than 10,000 words. I am very thankful with an advocate who effortlessly presented all my medical records to a judge to demonstrate my disability in late 2013, and in part that enhanced my quality of life this past year.
After even more stress and situations, we were finally approved for a low-income housing. I’m happy to share a special update on my whereabouts with those who have supported me over the years.
On March 23, 2015 — we signed the contract for an apartment. I moved in on March 25. I’m no longer homeless. I must thank in part the new Mayor Bill de Blasio (check #5 on this article). It has been a long journey, full of obstacles, dangers, and sorrow. We have fought together to overcome those.
Packing stuff and getting ready to leave the shelter.
I wish I could describe much more about my personal life these past 5 years in a shelter for the homeless, but it would take too long to write, and to be read. How does one go through something like that (for that long) without falling victim to depression? I wish the only answer was to get closer to the main figure or philosophy of your religion. That should be the only answer. In my situation, I should have. That’s yet something more I need to reflect upon now that the nightmare is over, and to give thanks to Him — as well as ask forgiveness.
I’m not much into public discussion of politics or religion, so — I don’t know how much each of the thousands of Blizzard Entertainment developers, PR managers, Community Managers and those in-between are aware of how important their day-to-day work on video games can be to people with diverse personal situations. In religious terms, it would be described as a false solution or idols. Most likely true. Yet, gaming distracts a lot from dwelling on your problems. The proper thing is to stand and fight to reach your goals. However, there are millions of disabled people around the world, who do not have the opportunity or the support to do such thing.
Those who can’t walk in real life, travel miles and miles of beautiful distant lands. Those who aren’t able to socialize in their neighborhood, can interact with thousands of people around the world and make friends, and even find love with a like-minded person. I gotta mention Bajheera as an example of that one. Some of us find joy in achievements, and trying and trying again until we claim victory over the hardest of odds. Of course, it is not a real achievement, but the feeling is there still, and that’s the magic that helps prevent depression. I have laughed a lot playing World of Warcraft, Diablo III, StarCraft II, Hearthstone, and Heroes of the Storm. I have laughed and enjoyed reading the novels, the comic books, and web stories/comics, or watching the cinematics, the cutscenes, and the trailers. Immersing myself in those expansive universes.
I have to thank the Blizzplanet staff members who have supported me so much in our Skype channel. I have to thank so many Blizzard employees who I have either interacted with face-to-face, by email, Facebook, Twitter or via Skype. I can’t mention all of them but those who come to mind: Chris Metzen, Micky Neilson, Sean Copeland, Kat Metzen-Hunter, Christie Golden, Richard A. Knaak, Nethaera, Bashiok, Zarhym, Zeriyah, Lyndsi, Che’von, Azuriel (Val), KathyZ, Nick Carpenter, Samwise, and gee just so many. I’m nearing 1000 words in this article.
I love Blizzard games and their makers, and love very much this community. You guys rock! Thanks for supporting me, and for supporting this 12-years-old fansite with your visits, or simply by buying a Blizzard T-shirt or Blizzard Licensed Product on Amazon
A new beginning for me. Here’s a short video sharing with you my new apartment.
Even in the bad times I faced these past 5 years, I never asked directly for donations and barely used the site revenue to help myself. This fansite has the support of staff members who, like me, love Blizzard games. I have paid some expenses to staff members who attend BlizzCon, GamesCom, SDCC, and PAX thanks to those fans who buy T-shirts and other products. However, after Jinx changed affiliate partners — revenue has been decreasing. I’d love to help them with travel expenses to interview developers, take photos, and panel videos. We also have a team that provides the panel transcripts. Please, support the Blizzplanet Patreon.
We welcome new contributors interested in sharing with the community their passion for Blizzard games.
