Imagine living on the streets for 16 years, yet never asking for money. That’s the remarkable story of Wanda Ritter, an 80-year-old woman who spent over a decade without a home, holding a note and hoping someone would finally read it. She didn’t beg for change or ask for help, but instead carried around a suitcase filled with papers, trying to get people to understand her situation. One day, after years of being ignored, someone finally stopped to read the note, and everything changed.

Wanda Ritter’s story is more than just another tale of homelessness. It’s a powerful example of resilience and the determination to keep going, even when no one believes in you. Wanda had a simple, yet firm conviction: she believed the government owed her $100,000, and she wasn’t about to let that go unnoticed. She wasn’t begging for money from strangers—she just wanted what was rightfully hers.

The Struggles of Wanda Ritter

It had been 16 long years since Wanda had last slept in her own bed. Many people who crossed paths with her on the streets thought she was crazy. After all, how could anyone believe that the government owed her such a large sum of money? To those who didn’t take the time to understand her, Wanda was just another person struggling with mental health issues. She repeated her claim every day: “The government owes me $100,000.” But no one took her seriously.

Despite these assumptions, Wanda wasn’t delusional. She had worked as a locksmith and raised four children before falling on hard times. Life on the streets of Washington was hard, but Wanda held onto her belief that the Social Security System had made a mistake and that they owed her the money. She even carried a suitcase full of documents and unpaid checks, evidence of the financial mess she was in. But still, no one paid attention to her or her claim.

A Life-Changing Encounter

Wanda considered giving up many times. She thought about throwing away her documents and resigning herself to the idea that no one would ever listen. “I told myself that if I did something foolish, people would just think I was insane,” she said. But something inside her wouldn’t let her quit. Then, after years of waiting, her situation finally changed.

Julie Turner, a 56-year-old social worker, happened to cross Wanda’s path. Unlike everyone else who had ignored Wanda, Julie took the time to listen. She heard Wanda’s story and decided to look into her case. What she found was shocking—Wanda wasn’t making things up. The government did indeed owe her money, and Turner confirmed that the amount was close to $100,000.

The Root of the Problem

So, how did Wanda’s situation get so out of control? It all started with Social Security checks that Wanda received each month, ranging from $300 to $900. However, Wanda believed there was a problem with these payments. Instead of cashing them, she returned the checks, convinced that something was wrong. She even reached out to Social Security Services to look into the issue, but no one seemed willing to help her.

“If I had cashed the checks and then claimed there was a mistake, who would have believed me?” Wanda told local reporters. Her belief was that by not cashing them, she could eventually prove there was an error in her case and get the issue resolved.

A Happy Ending

Thanks to Julie Turner’s persistence and care, Wanda’s story took a turn for the better. With Turner’s help, Wanda was able to find a small $500 apartment and finally move off the streets. Just a week after her story became public, Wanda received her first proper payment from Social Security—$1,644, a small step toward resolving her years of financial hardship.

Wanda’s story is a powerful reminder of how easily people can fall through the cracks in society, even when they are owed something as important as their financial security. Her determination not to give up, combined with the kindness of a social worker who took the time to listen, finally brought her the justice she deserved after 16 long years.

While Wanda’s journey was far from easy, her story highlights the importance of listening and helping those in need, especially when they are doing everything in their power to help themselves.