Life w/ Mental Illness: Public Assistance to Personal Success - Independent Thinking

From Struggle to Independence: Social Security, Politics, and Empowering Our Community

Living with mental illness and relying on Social Security programs like SSI and SSDI has been both a lifeline and a challenge. These programs are designed to help people survive and eventually thrive, but navigating them often feels overwhelming. Programs like Ticket to Work, which are supposed to guide us toward independence, have left me frustrated and discouraged.

The cognitive dissonance is real: I want to work, grow, and take control of my life—but the system often makes it feel impossible. You’re encouraged to succeed but penalized if you do too quickly. You’re told independence is the goal, but the structure keeps you trapped. It’s exhausting, and it creates confusion about what true freedom looks like.

How Politics Is Impacting Us

Add to that the political landscape: Donald Trump and the Republican Party’s cuts to Medicaid, food stamps, and affordable housing under Project 2025 are real threats to people who rely on these programs. These policies put even more pressure on our communities, and media narratives often reinforce fear, doubt, and limitations.

We Must Think Indepedently!

Why Independent Thinking Matters

I refuse to let politicians or party lines define my worth or potential. Independent thinking means questioning everything, seeing the limitations of the system, and finding ways to create your own success. It means taking control of your finances, health, and future—even when the odds are stacked against you.

Making Extra Income on Social Security

Being on Social Security doesn’t mean you can’t create additional income. I’ve learned that by using your skills, talents, and abilities, you can start earning extra money while staying compliant with SSI or SSDI rules. Whether it’s freelance work, small business ventures, digital services, or creative projects, every skill you have can be a tool for independence.

I’m building Afrinubi Solutions® not just for me, but to show others how to monetize their skills, generate income, and take control of their lives. This is about proving that our abilities are valuable, and that we can make a real difference in our lives and the lives of others.

Empowering My Black Community

I am tired of seeing my people struggle—not because we lack talent or drive, but because generations of systemic oppression, racism, and societal pressure have held us back. Lack of confidence, media influence, and structural barriers have limited what many of us believe is possible.

Through my online work and Afrinubi Solutions®, I’m helping my community break free from these limitations:

• Providing guidance for building businesses and creating independent income streams

• Sharing tools to manage finances, track income, and plan for taxes

• Encouraging mental resilience, critical thinking, and bold decision-making

• Inspiring confidence and showing the power of using your skills and abilities to make a difference

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Every time someone in our community steps outside old patterns, starts a business, or pursues a goal they once thought impossible, we collectively shift from survival to empowerment and independence.

Supporting Each Other Is Key

We cannot wait for politicians, systems, or programs to save us. The time has come to support each other. That means:

• Building networks and communities where we lift each other up

• Sharing resources, skills, and knowledge openly

• Encouraging independence and celebrating each person’s achievements

• Holding each other accountable while fostering growth and confidence

I am here to help my followers navigate these challenges, provide motivation, and encourage all of us to think independently. Together, we can create opportunities, overcome systemic obstacles, and redefine success for our community.

Trump may be changing my life with policy cuts, and programs like Ticket to Work may have failed me—but I refuse to let it define me. I’m using these challenges as fuel to grow, to empower my community, and to show that our strength comes from thinking independently, acting boldly, supporting one another, and using our skills to create income and make a difference.

This is bigger than me—it’s about all of us reclaiming confidence, breaking cycles, building our own systems of support, and creating a future where we control our destiny. We have the power to rise above limitations, challenge oppressive systems, and build a legacy of freedom, strength, and independence—together.