Home Sweet Home
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6/7/2012
To whom it may concern,my name is Jennifer Bidwell age 38, and I am a former resident of Nedrow.On March 6th 1976 I was put in a tub of hot water and burned over 50% of my body.I suffered a stroke at the time which affects my left side.I spent over a month in the hospital,and when discharged I was placed in foster care.Fortunatly my foster father was my uncle John Thomas (my father's brother)and my foster mother was his girlfrend Ellen Lucas.at around age 4 we moved to 142 w.Roswell ave in Nedrow ny.For about 15 years I lived in that house.I have such memories of my life in that house,where I witnessed my mom being physically abused,where I had to jump out my bedroom window in the middle of the night so me and mom could get to safty.Where I attempted neumorous suicide attempts,where I was beaten and molested.Where I began writing poetry,Where I started school at Rockwell Elementary school,and continued to 12th grade in OCS.The fondest memories of my childhood were my neighbors.The love that I didn't feel inside of my home I definatly recieved from my community.The Hudsons,The Baxters,Mrs.Hazel,The Hollisters,The Daily's,The Rowe's,The Ellicks,and so many more.I remember Wendy's,Ned's Drug store,Kmart,Shopping at Green Hills Farms.Going Sledding on the hills behind Kamart.There was no worry for me in my community.There was so much that I learned from my neighbors,and I did have alot of support from them.I have lived in the city of Syracuse for over 15 years,and I absolutly cannot stant it.There is no unity in community.So many people don't care for nothing more than theirself,therefore the communities are dangerous.I have raised my 18 an 19 year olds in the city.Even though I tried to prevent them from having that Ghetto attitude and behaviors,they went through it anyway.Going to juvi,foster care,treatment centers and Jail.Being kicked out of SCSD over and over..I've never experienced half of the things that they have,because I always had what they didn't,community support.When I needed someone to talk to I could go to any one of my neighbors,when I walked to the store I didn't worry about anything. I have put my life at risk to help a city from violence,and was shot at.I Have a 10 year old son named Isaiah,who came into my life at the lowest time of my life,which thank God from that moment my life changed,and continues to change.Isaiah suffered a stroke at the time of birth which affects his right side,and he has cerabral palsey.Isaiah is such a good boy.H
Bp | Syracuse, NY