I don't know what to do :(

I used to be a strong independant woman but it seems as if all that is behind me now. I know how I lost it but don't know how to get it back.

My story:

In 1997, my marriage fell apart and I moved myself and my kids (they were 15 and 13 at the time) back to my home state of California. I found us an apartment, got a job and got the kids into school. Everything was good..hard but good.

Then in 2003, my back started bothering me while I was at work. I was a lead cashier for Linens-n-things which required me to be on my feet all day. The job  involved alot of bending and twisting. I mentioned to one of the assistant managers that my back felt like it was going out. I didn't talk to the manager due to the fact that we did not have a good working relationship. As I continued to work, the pain in my back became more severe. I didn't know what was causing this and worker's comp was never mentioned by anyone. The managers basically ignored my problem.

In June, at the age of 55, my pain became overwhelming. I started to seek out medical attention. When I was referred to a chiropractor, the doctor took me off work for 2 weeks. The treatments did not work and I was unable to return to work. My employer was not happy but still did not offer worker's comp. The background on my boss is that he did not like me because I was old (in his opinion) or at least that is how he made me feel. I also got the feeling that he was glad that I was not returning to work.

I sought out a worker's comp lawyer to see what could be done and I ended up filing a case. It took a year fighting with the insurance company to get anywhere. They sent me to a doctor who said my problem was age! Even though another doctor stated that I had damaged my SI joint in my pelvis! But since he was not THEIR doctor, they refused his diagnosis.

Anyway, to make this story shorter, I ended up accepting a settlement from the insurance company for $85,000.00 but with no future medical. My attorney said this was going to be the best that I could do.

So, here I am, in 2009, living with constant back pain unable to do much of anything. The money I got from the settlement has been used for living expenses and is now under $19,000.00. I get Social Security Disability and a small retirement from my ex but that just about covers my rent and bills.

My current delima is that I live in a moblehome...a very old moblehome which is falling apart around me. Currently, I have a water leak in my bathroom. I don't have the money to get it fixed without dipping into my savings which have to last me for a long time. What am I going to do when my savings are gone? Beats me!

I don't know what to do...this "house" is making me sick and I can't fix it. I am stuck here until my son can get out on his own so that I can move!

Damn...I'm done.