Samara Knight, Cleveland
Samara is a nursingassistant and single mother raising a son with a severe illness thatrequires expensive medication and constant doctor visits. But Samaradoesn't have healthcare at work and she can't afford expensive coverageon her own. Samara was able to save enough to buy a home for herfamily--but she's fallen behind on her mortgage payments paying for herson's medical needs. Now Samara might lose the home she worked so hardfor. That's why she's working overtime to elect a president who willturn our economy around--knocking on doors, talking to other unionmembers about what's at stake this election, and registering herneighbors and co-workers to vote. She knows her future depends on it.
 
Bill Beau, Pittsburgh
Billworks on the grounds crew at the University of Pittsburgh. He was anearly supporter of Barack Obama and he's taken time off work to ensurethat other union members in Pittsburgh turn out for Obama on ElectionDay. For Bill, this election is all about the economy and healthcare.He's tired of seeing good paying jobs leave America and says everyfamily needs access to affordable healthcare. Bill knows the effects ofour healthcare crisis all too well. He has a son with five neurologicaldisorders. His son also developed brain encephalitis when he was tenbecause the HMO wouldn't pay for the proper IV treatments. Bill says wejust don't need healthcare, we need good healthcare.
 
Loretta Reddy, Florida
Lorettais a nursing assistant in Port Richey, Florida. When the housing marketcrashed, her partner was laid off his construction job. He found newwork but it's a $40,000 a year pay cut. With three kids, they're barelygetting by--just getting food on the table and making sure the bills arepaid is a struggle. Her kids have part-time jobs to try to keep thefamily afloat and they don't join school activities or sports becausethey can't afford to pay for uniforms or other costs. Loretta says herson recently bought his dad's diabetes medication for him withouttelling him because they couldn't afford it otherwise. Loretta knowsFlorida is close and she's doing everything she can to help Obamawin--she says her family can't afford four more years like the lasteight.
 
For more information on what SEIU members are doing toelect Barack Obama and other pro-worker candidates, visitwww.WalkADayInMyShoes2008.com. "

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