She struggled through 2 heart attacks
Dear Mr. President:
My name is Nancy and I am a member of 9to5 Wisconsin. I would first like to take this time to thank you for your commitment to serve this great nation. And with that service, I would also like to ask for your support to implement a National Paid Sick Day bill or a National Family and Medical leave Insurance program. Promoting these bills would create an opportunity to urge local mayors and governors to actively push for local paid sick days and FMLI laws statewide.
Not having Family Medical Leave Insurance affected me personally in 2014. I have a heartfelt commitment to my mom who passed away on January 17, 2014; she struggled through 2 heart attacks and countless strokes. Her health kept me and my family (2 sisters and one brother,) my four children and husband back and forth at her bedside, not knowing when we would have to say our final goodbye.
At the time I was working for a company that offered FMLA but I was not sure how it worked, I would found out later, FMLA was not a benefit at all to ME!! Being off work so many days during her illness, I used all of accrued vacation time, sick time and PTO. That’s when I got the shock that I wasn’t eligible for FMLA because my annual review did not come until January 20, 2014… only 3 days after my mom had passed away.
I am grateful that my employer let me use leave anyway and I was able to retain my job, but the lack of pay really hurt. Who could or would want to choose spending the last minutes with the one who brought you into the world, nurtured, and cared for you, or be able to pay your bills? No one should have to make this kind of choice which is the main reason why I fully pledge to educate people about FMLI or FMLA laws. Allowing families to have access to paid family leave and informing them on its uses are necessary. Everyone at some point will become sick or have to take care of a family member. You never know when you will need it or for that matter how it works.
I am privileged to be a part of 9to5 Wisconsin which fights for the rights of working women and their families. So whenever I am permitted to speak on the importance of FMLA or FMLI I will cry loud and spare nothing. Together we stand divided we fall!!! So I’m asking you President Obama to STAND with us on this very important issue…
Respectfully Yours,
Nancy
