Rachelle Waugh’s reply to letter of the week

Dec 10 2009 by Margaret Shaw, Hamilton Advertiser

MY name is Rachelle Waugh. I would like to respond to the ‘letter of the week’ sent by M Smith, via e-mail, and printed on the Letters page in last week’s Advertiser.

I would like to start off by saying this person knows nothing about me.

As regards my mother doing all the complaining for me, my mother was the one who spoke to the reporter and that is why she was quoted in the story.

If M Smith wishes to label young single mothers as freeloaders, then I think this person should write true facts and not one person’s bitter opinion.

In answer to the questions contained in M Smith's letter, yes, I have done a hard day’s work in my life. In fact, I have worked since leaving school.

I do not think that taxpayers owe me a living as I make my own. As for me living rent free, I'm sorry to disappoint M Smith but I pay rent and Council Tax and have done since moving into the property, so I never have been and don't intend to be a freeloader. I am still employed at the moment and will be returning to my job soon.

I did not demand that the council do my garden. All I was asking for was what every council tenant is entitled to when moving into a new property.

If M Smith read the story, I never asked for my grass to be cut; all I wanted was access to my back garden so I wouldn’t have to trail a pram in the front door and through my house.

As for me living in a fantasy land, I am 100 per cent living in the real world and do not expect handouts. I am more than capable of complaining for myself and more than capable of running my home. I am really thankful to have a home of my own as I know there are lot of people going without.

When winter is over, this hardworking teenage single mother will be out cutting her own grass with the gadget called a lawnmower that I purchased with my own hard-earned pennies. I might even plant some flowers.

M Smith should ask Santa for a gadget to get truthful facts before writing to papers and slating people they don't even know the first thing about. People who know me, know the truth.

Rachelle Waugh.