20/20 The Hidden America: Children of the Mountains
Courtney, 12 years old, lives in Central Appalachia with her mother, three sisters, and mother’s boyfriend at her Grandparents house for a total of twelve people under one roof. Courtney lives out of the suitcase under her bed. She has moved many times in her short life. Her mother was severely hooked on drugs needing a minimum of ten to feel okay but usually doing 30 to 40 a day; she would disappear for days at a time. Courtney dreams of living in their own house and getting a pair of boots with fake fur, knowing that many days they run out of food. Her mother is on welfare and is required to go to GED classes. She must walk eight miles to her class and another eight miles back home because they can’t afford a car. Courtney appears to be clean however her clothing is wrinkled, and the family house needs many repairs. Church and singing songs of Jesus is a big part of their lives and the average donation to the church from the congregations is around $1.85. Courtney faces the challenge of resisting the pull of the welfare system and drugs because the cycle is very hard to break. Courtney has the support of the church and the support of teachers at school. Her mother succeeds in getting her GED and hopefully will find a job; and they have rented a home that needs some work but it’s theirs.
Shawn, 18, still in high school and lives out of his truck. He is an all-star football player who gives it his all on the field because he wants everyone to be proud of him. He wakes early so that he can hopefully take a shower at a friend’s house before school. He family consists of his mother, 36, with 8 grandchildren, stepfather, brother, sister, step brother, and two small children all in two trailers surrounded by litter and dirty diapers. His family lives off welfare and are seen burning tires to scrap the metal inside for a few dollars. His family looks up their prescription medication so that nobody...