My wife couldn't work because she had two young children with severe medical conditions, and she hasn't worked since then. I have a decent career, but it never paid well enough. The company didn't seem to mind that I was trying to support four people on my receiving salary.

It was hard for me; many sleepless nights are thinking about surviving with this low salary alone. I asked my boss for a raise; I was fired for requesting a raise. It was a dark time for me; I'll struggle if I must, just for the sake of my beloved family.