Dad needs his sleep but bed's cramped
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
"L.N." and her husband, who weighs more than 250 pounds, share a king-size bed with their two young children.
"We sleep on the edges and the (children) are in the middle," said L.N., whose children are under 3 years old. "It's very cramped and uncomfortable. He has no room to stretch out.
"My husband works hard and deserves a good night's sleep."
There is space in their one-bedroom apartment for a bunk bed for the children, but the young couple, who are in their early 20s, cannot afford to buy one. They do not receive welfare assistance and they live on one paycheck.
L.N. recently quit a full-time job to care for her older child, who is sight-impaired and deaf. Because the child cannot talk or hear and is too young for sign language, "you have to be around" all the time to recognize the youngster's needs, L.N. said.
When the two children are old enough to attend school, L.N. is hoping to go to college and become a nurse.
Our anonymous Santa has generously offered once again this year to match the first $25 of each donation to the Christmas Fund. Checks made payable to "The Advertiser Christmas Fund" should be mailed to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17780, Honolulu, HI 96817.
Monetary donations may be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch. Anyone wishing to donate goods instead of money can do so at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. For details, call 440-3804.
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