Andrea Hollick
Age 72
Ethnicity: White
Status: Widow
Unemployed
Once I received Medicare I went straight into the doctor's office. I've been waiting weeks in order to get the money and time to go get my chest looked at. I was so happy to be able to go to the doctor's office. The help from Medicare took the strain of having to pay large fees off my shoulders. I do appreciate the help that the government give people over the age of sixty-five, like myself. This helps greatly in being able to go do an annual check up. Before Medicare, I couldn't even get the money to pay the doctor even if it was an emergency. This change is for the best and I fully support the addition of Medicare. I've known so many people of my age that weren't able to pay their bills and go to the doctor. Now they all have the luxury of being able to visit the doctor without having to pay these expensive hospital bills. The price of insurance now a days is quite outrageous. I could barely see the doctor once a year when there wasn't any Medicare. Now, with the government's help, I can go pretty much any time in order to get a examination if I'm sick. I'm greatly appreciating all the help I can get. I've gotten too old to go out to work and I'm not as limber as I use to me.
December 12, 1964
Tyrell Washington
Age 19
Ethnicity: African American
Status: Student
Unemployed
I heard that the Civil Rights Act was passed not too long ago, but I see no change in the way I've been treated. It is said that we all should be treated equal. So why am I still treated differently due to the color of my skin. The white folk still don't care for my black skinned brothers. I try to get a job but I'm told away because I'm black. Wasn't the civil rights act suppose to protect me from this type of discrimination. There seems to be no difference of the times before it was passes and now. My family and I are still hated by our white neighbors, and still refused service some places we go to. I don't know whether I should challenge this, or just wait by the side lines. I don't want to get hurt, but I want my rights. I don't enjoy being shoved away just because I'm a little bit different. This isn't fair to me and my family. We try real hard on getting jobs, housing, and just transportation, but we still are treated differently.
January 6, 1965
Richard Dawson
Age 32
Ethnicity: White
Status: Father, Husband
Employed
My first day in the working career went well. I'm one of the first to work in the Job Corps program. I've been placed on one of the recent project around town. It's little work, but better than nothing. I plant new things along highways and clean up the cities. I think I may be moved to construction soon. I don't know much about construction but I will learn. I have to earn enough money to support my family in these hard times. All the work I can get it well needed. My wife is trying to look around for some work to do, but no luck with her. She has to stay home and take care of the children. They are getting sick and not bieng able to pay the bills isn't helping. I'm working for eight hours at mininum wage. More than I've made in the the past few years. I'm really thankful for the opportunity. I know times have been hard for everyone. I'm willling to take anything I can get. Hopefully there are a lot of projects near the cities. I need all the work I can get. I'm afraid if I lose this jobs there won't be anything else I can do. I don't want to have my family suffer any longer.
