Many people were familiar with Wanda Witter. At 80-years-old, she was a homeless woman who bounced between shelters lugging a suitcase full of paperwork.
Nearly everyone thought Wanda had dementia.
They believed she hauled around the suitcase as a type of security blanket. People thought it made Wanda feel better to have something important to carry around all day.
However, people didn’t realize the suitcase actually was incredibly important. The suitcase held documentation for social security checks the government owed Wanda.
Wanda worked as a machinist before moving to Washington D.C. years ago with her 8-year-old daughter.
Eventually, she found work as a paralegal. Unfortunately, the work wasn’t consistent, and Wanda ended up falling behind on the rent.
In time, she found herself living on the streets. Determined to put her life back together, she decided to start collecting social security. However, her checks were too small.
Wanda attempted to get the problem fixed, but it was difficult to get people at the agency to help.
Notwithstanding the bureaucratic obstacles, Wanda saved and filed away all the documentation of her earnings she could in her suitcase.
Eventually, a social worker found Wanda.
She went through all of the paperwork with Wanda’s now adult daughter.
All of the paperwork was legitimate. The government owed Wanda a ton of money!
Working together, they were able to get a check for $999,999. Wanda now lives in a comfortable studio apartment. Who knew that suitcase would be so important! Are you inspired by Wanda’s determination? Let us know!
