"Family Emergency and Bankruptcy"

About 15 years ago, my older son was in need of extensive medical treatment not covered by our health insurance. I spent a lot of time on the phone and on the road looking for help with his condition and advocating for changes in treatment options available.

A doctor told me at one point we could not afford his care and the insurance would not pay for it. Her solution was to give up custody of our child to the state so he could receive the care he needed.

This was unacceptable to us as a family. As a consequence, I found myself deeply in debt. This was in the time when each toll call had a per minute charge and my phone bill could easily run $300 to $500 a month.

I was desperate to find help for my son without giving up custody of him. My oldest daughter worked for an attorney and encouraged me to file Chapter 13. This was a hard thing to do as we are Christians and always paid our bills. After counseling with our pastor, I decided to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

The relief was beyond words. I did not see filing bankruptcy as an option to wipe the slate clean so I could go into debt again, but rather as an opportunity to wipe the slate clean so I could stay out of debt and keep my son.

I never again want to feel the stress and pressure of the burden of so much debt.

Contributed by Carol from Louisiana