Wanda Ritter, an 80-year-old woman who endured life on the streets, clutched a handwritten note, but she wasn’t begging for money. For 16 years, she fervently claimed the government owed her $100,000, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. Despite her previous occupation as a locksmith and being a mother of four, most people dismissed her as delusional. She often repeated that the Social Security System owed her a significant sum. She was so adamant about it that she carried a suitcase full of documents and unpaid checks, but her persistent cries for justice were mostly ignored.

Then, Julie Turner, a compassionate 56-year-old social worker, crossed paths with Wanda Ritter. Intrigued by her story, Turner delved into her case, scrutinizing the documents. What she found was astonishing. She realized that Ritter was not seeking mental health assistance but deserved financial support from the government. Turner advocated for her cause, and Ritter began receiving monthly checks ranging from $300 to $900. Remarkably, Ritter didn’t cash these checks; instead, she returned them, believing they were flawed. She feared that claiming a mistake might make others perceive her as crazy. Nevertheless, with Turner’s guidance, Ritter navigated the bureaucratic maze and secured a $500 apartment. Her story soon gained attention, and a week later, Ritter received her first $1,644 check from the Social Security System. Wanda Ritter’s journey underscores the importance of perseverance and compassionate individuals who lend their support to those society often overlooks.