Powdered Eggs and Spam

PRX default Piece image

Powdered Eggs and Spam

From: Hillary Frank
Length: 00:08:41

A 44-year-old disabled man is confined to a nursing home for ten years while he hunts for affordable housing. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Play Audio for 'Piece Audio' Pause Audio for 'Piece Audio'

Play Audio for 'Promos' Pause Audio for 'Promos'

None.

More from Hillary Frank

Caption: Tom and his daughter, Ellen, in his Navy hat, Credit: Heidi Kecskemethy

I've Got News (00:25:02)
From: Hillary Frank

A newly married guy finds out his wife is pregnant while he’s at sea and just a few years later, to his surprise, becomes a stay-at-home dad.

Caption: Kate at her "battle station," with Adelle at 4 months, Credit: Kate Bowman-Johnston

Nap Boot Camp (00:16:42)
From: Hillary Frank

An exasperated mom decides that her daughter WILL nap in her crib by the end of the week.

Caption: For many months, this is the only dress Violet would wear. Joyce washed it every night in the sink., Credit: Joyce Slaton

The Emperor's New Onesie (00:13:36)
From: Hillary Frank

A woman spends a month at home with her naked two-year-old daughter, trying to figure out why she won't wear clothes.

Would've Been the Mean Mommy (00:12:28)
From: Hillary Frank

A woman becomes a mom at the precise moment that her own mother decides to stop being a mother.

Caption: One of the photos my dad snapped with his contraband camera, Credit: Richard Frank

Nurse, Get the Handcuffs (00:14:25)
From: Hillary Frank

A mother unexpectedly breaks down and apologizes to her 34-year-old daughter for not being able to breastfeed her.

Endangered Sea Turtle, Yum (00:11:57)
From: Hillary Frank

A vegetarian of 22 years decides that the way to fix her son’s umbilical hernia is to start eating meat.

Kittens Can Do it, So Why Can't We? (00:12:11)
From: Hillary Frank

A mom who finds breastfeeding stressful discovers that a machine helps her feel closer to her son.

Caption: Owen, the miracle baby, with colic and reflux

Don't Make Me Be Your Miracle (00:13:44)
From: Hillary Frank

After having her first child, a woman experiences heart failure and is told she has less than a 50 percent chance of surviving another pregnancy. Through a surrogate, she ...

Caption: Liesl preps S for an Oliver + S photo shoot., Credit: Todd Gibson

Is Class Over Yet? (00:14:32)
From: Hillary Frank

A woman leaves her dream job to stay home with her baby, and then, out of boredom, starts sewing and unwittingly creates a new full-time job for herself.

Caption: William in the NICU, Credit: Matt Clark

When the Poop is No Longer a Gift (00:10:36)
From: Hillary Frank

A newborn turns blue, is rushed to the NICU, and his parents deal with going home while the baby remains in the hospital, hooked up to machines.

Piece Description

Ten years ago, Herman Nelson was shot in the head and survived with slight hearing and memory loss, plus paralysis on the right side of his body. He gets around in a wheelchair and can do most things for himself. Because affordable, accessible housing is hard to come by, Herman was stuck in a nursing home with people about twice his age for a decade. This situation is common for low-income disabled people. Hillary Frank follows Herman through his frustration and ultimate success in finding a home. This story first aired as part of WBEZ's series Chicago Matters: Inside Housing.