My MB Van Repair Situation Moves Forward; Others Not So Fortunate
I was facing a form of homelessness. I have resources. Many others are far less ‘fortunate’ as they hit the streets.
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After a weekend of #mercedes-benz cage-rattling, and what I’m sure was an, um, assertive call to MB ABQ by a take-no-prisoners friend, I’m scheduled for a #Sprinter van repair visit this Wednesday.
I can speculate all I want on how this came about. But that would waste more time on what should have been a non-issue. What I would like to point out is how lucky (read privileged) I am. And I’m not saying that because I’m proud of it.
My Sprinter van/home/office has required an extraordinary amount of repairs by “the best or nothing” company aka Mercedes-Benz from the git-go. In the first 2 weeks I drove off the lot, I was introduced to the “Check Engine” light blues, to the extent that I had to include this sub-saga in my latest book, Dismazed and Driven — My Look at Family Homelessness in America.
Thanks to relentless haranguing by my social-media savvy tribe, or maybe just the planets aligning over the previously unhelpful Mercedes-Benz dealership, I’m told the part needed (nox sensor) arrived late Friday night and I’m scheduled for my extended warranty repair on Wednesday morning. Enough about that! For now anyhow…
Last week I spoke with an anguished mother on the harsh edge of homelessness. She’s housed now, with the HUD housing voucher making it possible for her to afford her $1200 mo. apartment in Santa Fe. This mom works, is diligent, and has been a responsible tenant for 5 years in the same apartment. She’s poked the gator, though, and that is trouble.
Her concern — one that millions of other silent households share — severe mold and mildew have contaminated her family’s living space. That stuff is horrible, especially for those, like this family, with health issues. The mom got hit by Covid last year, compromising her already compromised health. She and her kids are also suffering the standard maladies when living in a…
