Don and Helen found each other 39 years ago at the old Waldorf Hotel on York Street. An angel must have been hovering over their heads that afternoon in the beverage room because they badly needed each other. The hardship of their lives could provide another chapter in the book of Job.

Now in their mid-60s, the McConachies need each other more than ever.

"I don't know what I'd do without him," says Helen, her eyes filling with tears.

Don is blind, mostly confined to a wheelchair and cannot use his gnarled hands because of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

Last year he was in the hospital eight or nine times for infections and a second hip operation. Helen is a loving wife who cares for him the best she can. But she can't walk any distance because of an ankle injury.

Sometimes the cupboards are empty.

They are among the 29 per cent of seniors in Hamilton who live in poverty.

When Helen met an old friend on the street a year ago, they talked about their difficult lives. The friend told Helen about The Hamilton Dream Center, an organization founded by Ace Clarke four years ago. It is dedicated to helping low-income families and individuals in Hamilton.

Things were lean that month so Helen scooted seven blocks over in her electric scooter and met people like Karen Robertson, manager of the food and clothing bank, and Faith Sims, fundraising and marketing co-ordinator. Helen visits every month for food and clothing.

"It really helps me quite a bit. It makes me feel better. I meet new people," she says.

When Helen's daughter died of cancer a few years ago, Faith counselled her and prayed with her. An outfit was found for her to wear to the funeral. "She has been really kind to me," says Helen.

Faith says Helen is special to the centre because, although she has so little, she is so quick to help others. When she comes in she always wants to save the food for others who might need it and she never takes her allowance.

Don is grateful that Helen has an outlet.

"It (going there) helps to calm her down. She just gets so stressed out. It's hard on her if I spill stuff or trip and fall. We do the best we can. I can cut up vegetables to help her and I can make a sandwich on my own, but I can't make soup or tea or anything else."

Don is visited by the VON (Victorian Order of Nurses), but often gets so depressed he stays in his room for three or four days.

"I'm very frustrated at my blindness," says Don, who cannot play cards, cribbage or Scrabble. But he finally comes out of his room because he knows how hard it is on Helen.

"I make my mind up that I have to come out of it. Sometimes, lots of times, I felt like committing suicide, but you've got to get through it.

"If you give up, you don't make it," he says.

Their social time together is limited to listening to the radio or playing a dice game. Helen cannot read.

"I couldn't pick it up. I was so depressed when I was growing up. My grandmother raised me because my mother didn't want me. And I had to work in the fields to help my grandmother."

Helen left school when she became pregnant at 14. When her grandmother died, she was left to look after her sisters and her own children, too. About 10 years ago, Helen learned how to sign her name at the Hamilton Native Learning Centre.

Don's younger life was almost as dismal. His mother was an alcoholic and his father's epilepsy was mistakenly diagnosed as a mental condition. He was put in the hospital and given a lobotomy and shock treatments.

"That was it for him. I was six when I last saw him."

There are few visitors to their little east-end house.

"Most don't care anymore," says Don, whose old drinking buddies have either faded away or died. But one recently came all the way on the bus from Burlington with a used wheelchair for him. Don hadn't seen him for 10 years.

"We hate bothering people and we don't like to depend on the government. It costs so much for the taxpayer now. I can get along with bare minimum things. I don't think I need extra things," says Don.

About 250 attended the 5th annual Dream Center fundraiser last Thursday night at LIUNA Station.

RBC Royal Bank presented the centre with $5,000 for its new Life Skills program, expected to start in January, depending on funding.

Another new youth program is also being planned by youth volunteers, Kayla O'Connor and Myles Gardiner.

For more information about The Hamilton Dream Center, go to thehamiltondreamcenter.com or call 905-527-8605.

More Talk Thursday

sbourret@thespec.com

905-526-3305