Well, luck has finally hit rock bottom, the plant where I'm working is closing down and I was informed last night that Dec 19th is my last day. So once I am gone, no more doctor, no more meds. My aunt who is a nurse in a doctors office said that she can get me sample packs of celebrex, but thats about it. Only thing I can hope for is to find another job quickly, but going to be difficult this time of the year, plus the fact that if I limp in, odds are good that I won't get the job.
Phil
pbowman
There are many drug companies that will give people who are in your situation much discounted or even free medications.....Contact them and they will help you.
Good luck
Also, pbowman, there's that little piece of legislation that says companies can't discriminate against hiring you based on handicap. It's one thing if your condition prevents you from doing the job properly, but they can't refuse to hire you just because they see you limp.
News like this is hard at anytime, but worse at the holidays. I sincerely wish you all the best in finding the right job with the right insurance...quickly.
Oh man. I am so sorry about your job. Is there any way at all you can do COBRA? Blue Heron is correct. They can not discriminate against you because you have a limp or have arthritis and don't let them!!!Phil, I'm very sorryI'm praying for a good sit down job for you with great benefits. Maybe this will turn out to be wonderful for you.
Phil, I am so sad to hear about you losing your job. I know you've really struggled to get any kind of treatment. And, now this.
As everyone said, if you have the funds, keep the COBRA. Do apply for unemployment the first moment you can. Also, contact your local Vocation Rehab office. They may be able to help you get located in a job that RA won't be a problem.
If, as was in my case, you cannot continue to pay for COBRA, get signed up for your state aid program. You have to fall below about 00 in total assets outside of your car and your house. Each state differs. But if you have to go that route, apply for everything: food stamps, medical (especially this), and General Assistance. They will insist that you file for Unemployment even if you are filing for disability (crazy, huh?). The good side of this is that the unemployment office and the Vocational Rehab don't want you unemployed and living on state funds. So they will probably be very helpful in finding you work.
If you file for unemployment in one state, you can probably transfer it to another state. I know you live a long ways from good medical care. I don't know what your family situation is like, but maybe considering relocating for both employment and better doctors would something you might want to entertain.
I agree with Hillhoney that losing a job tends to be harder on men because of what our society expects of them and how they tend to wrap their identity up in their jobs. I've had several friends that had a terrible time getting over this hurdle. I also know my own fear of trying to locate a new job interview with cane in hand.
But if we put aside all the obvious negatives to this, maybe it can be an opportunity to better your overall situation. For months you have been struggling so hard to get a doctor to take your health seriously. I have felt so bad for you because you have to travel so far and then get so little help.
Try and step back from the whole situation and search out your heart's desires. What would you do if you could?
I'll hold you in my thoughts and prayers. Keep struggling and don't give up. Don't be afraid to ask for help from friends, family or the government. We all need each other to get through life. The sooner we all realize this, the better.
Your strength lies in the core of yourself. Remember that.
I know what you are going through. I lost my job in Nov. I will be out of insurance Dec 31. I'm picking up Cobra it is 400 a month. I have to have it put I don't know how I'm going to aford it.
I have been depresed because I cant buy chritmas this yr. How do you tell a 16 yr old no christmas.
I went to the good will to see if i could at least find some name brand clothes or some thing.
I go out every day looking for a job there is just not any thing out there that fits my job restrictions. My feet hurt so bad and my legs,back by the end of the day. I'm almost out of money.
I know the good lord will provide. I know you will find some thing.
God bless.
What about filing for unemployment benefits until you get a new job. I don't know about now but in Mass insurance used to come with it
I'm really sorry about what you are going through and what a time of year to do that to you!
1newBarb,
Can you call a local church and see if they can help you will a Christmas for your son? Often they are looking for families that need this. I hate to ask churches for stuff. But it is hard on a 16-year old.
Also, do check with Vocation Rehab. When I was talking to them, they seemed to know of jobs and resources that I could locate on my own. They have to respond to you within 30 days.
Don't give up guys! We just can't.
Phil, What horrible news this time of year. 16 is old enough to understand. Our son does. The most important thing is you keep insured. It does not matter if it is state or Cobra - as long as you stay insured your new, and better, and exciting job - will not be able to claim pre-existing condition. Please make your insurance a priority. For US - it has to be. Your son will understand. Stay in touch. Life gets hard but it always gets betterI went to team consulted today they help people with disabilities find jobs.
I called about some job leads they gave me today and put in some resume.
I cant get unemployment because I get worker's comp for a accident I was in back in 2003. I get wage lost because I cant do the same type of job. That is where they make up so much of what I use to make. When I was working they would take what I made and make up so much of what I use to make. That was great.
But now that I lost my job in Nov worker's comp had to file some thing to my former employer to let them know I lost my job and now I'm under a thing called job search. My former employer has 14 days to decline it. But by the time it will be almost 5 weeks from my last check.
I don't get paid again until all of this is approved. How am I suppose to look for a job if I don't have any money for gas.
Why would my employer appeal me for looking for a job.
I asked what I'm I supposed to do about christmas. It is like I'm getting punished because I lost my job.
I know there is some fakes that ruin the system for all of us. But I go by the book and really do look for a job.
Phil
You were in the forces? What exactly did you do? If you find the right place, 10 years in the service is as good as any college degree. You just have to make sure you assert your skills to them! :) You'll find something.Did you say you served 10 years in the military? This upsets me so much, that you served our country and we can't even provide medical for you for the rest of your life?
My husband is in the Air Force so I understand the sacrifices you made for us. I'm so sorry for the state of affairs. Be strong Phil. Something has got to work out. We're all praying for you and for you too Barb.
Oh no! So hard to have this happen during this time of year and when you need constant medical support. I have been there and it is so hard and stressful. Keep pushing on. I know it takes a lot of time and work to apply for the aid and things, but once done will relieve a lot of te pressure and then you can devote your energy more to new jobs. And we are all here to offer encouragement and support as you go.
Bless you!!
Phil,
Please check with Vocational Rehab. They will pay for your training in a new field. Also check with Roxy. She went to school on a lot of grants, etc. and she gave me a lot of info on how to apply for schooling that can help also pay for living expenses. Also, as a student, you may be able to get medical care.
If you have 10 years military experience plus 16+ supervisory, you may find that there are a lot of jobs that want you. They just might not be in the area you are living in right now. There is also the possibility of going to school for some very fine degree programs online.
Do check out the possibilities. You give your girls the most when they see you overcome situations like this. I know it breaks your heart. But my kids now know that they are tough. My girl was just saying yesterday that we are "overcomers." We tackle things and get through them. She didn't always have this attitude.
If you can give your girls this, you have given them more than any store bought gift. Your love and your dedication to overcoming the problems will give them the most important things in life.
Reach for your dreams and fight for your life. I know you are going to make it through this.
10 years in the Marine Corps as a Counterintelligence Specialist, got out after the 1st gulf war. Not a lot of calling for that anymore, well at least without a college degree. I am self taught on computers, and would love to get into that, but once again the "degree" word keeps popping up. Have seen several jobs looking for production supervisors, but almost all now want a BS/BA degree. My main concern is paying rent, car, and other bills and paying them on time. It would be great to be able to do that and go back to school without having to go without grocery's because you spent all your money on bills, but oh well, life just keeps getting better and better. But once again, thanks for all your encouraging words, just don't feel very encouraged right now.
Phil
Is there an airport near you? You can work somewhere in TSA. They have great benefits, and LOVE military people. You even get benefits as a part time employee, as it is a government job. That is what my dad does now, he is retired from the military. You do not need any previous training to do TSA (though as with any job, I'm sure it helps lol) and there are MANY areas of TSA to work in. Look into it!Closesst airport is in Evansville and I looked for openings there, but wasn't any, at least on line. That would be a great job, looked at all the airports close to me and nothing was listed there. I live in Madisonville, Ky.
Phil
(Waving) Phil, I grew up in Kentucky. Not near you, though.
Katie has a point about TSA. And even if they're not hiring at your airport now, you could see if they're taking applications and keep checking back with them. I think TSA is having a lot of turnover in general. I travel quite a bit and I've seen a lot of TSA hiring signs in airports lately.
What about Homeland Security? There are a lot of interesting jobs in that field which has really opened up since 911. Your experience would be great for that. Here's one site that list jobs, http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/homeland.asp. As a veteran, you automatically get preference for job placement. With a disability, because they have quotas to fill, that gives you more points to getting a job. And, with the right job, you might be able to get some schooling paid for.
The other thing in the in between time is checking out being a security guard. Pay is usually not great, but again they love ex-military and it could help pay bills until you line everything up.
In the computer world, they don't always just look at degrees. You have to rewrite your resume for managerial experience and list all the computer systems that you have worked with. If you are having a hard time doing this, grab a friend or get hold of a good job counselor to help you do it. Look at jobs online at www.monster.com, www.careerbuilder.com and www.dice.com. You can post your resume on these places, but you also can get some great advice, look for jobs and see other resumes to give you ideas.
Phil, I know this is very discouraging. But I've faced this several times in the past with kids in tow. It's always ended up being a better opportunity for me.
This time of year, UPS is also always looking for drivers. If you can get a job that can take the financial pressure off you while you look for the career job, it can help you get through this.
Also, keep in mind that children do feel powerless in this situation but often feel a great need to help. Give them very specific things that they can do. Maybe it is taking on more chores at this time, cooking more meals themselves to stretch dollars, making money on the side which is hard since they are younger.
Start an idea jar that you put on the kitchen table. Everyone contributes to the jar, even the youngest. Every couple of days or at least once a week, you sit as a family and go through the jar. Then post the best ideas on the fridge. This empowers everyone in the family and emphasizes how everyone must pull together to get through this.
Losing a job makes you feel like you've failed in some way no matter what the circumstances of the loss. But it just isn't true. They cannot take away your knowledge or your skills. You still have. Now, this illness can eventually rob you of your skills as I well know. But who I am is still there. How important I am to my family is still very obvious.
I think the outcome of this is that you are going to find a much more rewarding job with better health benefits, find a better doctor, get proper treatment and get your RA under control.
Oh and did I forget to mention that my ex wife, who is a RN and makes over .00 per hour, and who lives in my house with my VA loan with her new husband is sueing me for more child support money. Even though I told her I was losing my job, she says I owe her ,000. Bad thing is that I can't prove it, because when we divorced it was something we wrote up ourselves, didn't go through the court for the support, but we were friends and always got along and I just gave her money, or if she called up and said that she needed something, just gave it to her. But since she remarried, she has turned into "I hate Phil, lets screw him over", I think this is coming from her husband though, who is a drunk and my kids hate him. So just one more thing to add to stress level. And for the first 3 years I had the children almost all the time, while she went out. But now she only works between 18-30 hours per week, and takes every weekend off, because it interfers with her partying.
Phil
I was downsized out of my 15 year job in 1997...I could not be happier with the new job I found. By the way I am going off Celebrex after over 10 years on Vioxx , Bextra and then Celebrex.I have had no hip pain since drinking mangosteen juice....Phil check out www.mangosteenexperiences.com This may help you with the pain.By the way I no longer "favor" my left hip which has 2 pins and arthritus in that joint as well as many others.Let me know if you have questions.2007 may be waiting for you with new hope...... FordPhil, how old are the kids??? And how often did they LIVE with you, versus their mom? It seems that if you can prove that you and her at least made your own agreement after divorce, a judge couldn't really go back and make you back pay. Now if you were mandated by a court and you didn't pay, that's another story. I would think the longer you've been divorced the less likely the judge is going to pity her and force payment. Make sense? So Ford, what is your new job, internet sales?Court cases take time to get scheduled and you may solve some of these problems by the time your ex is able to bring it before a judge. Check and see if there are Concillatory Court options available. These keeps you out of a judge's chambers with a court appointed mediator. In AZ, the new husband would not be allowed to participate and if you make any agreements with your ex, it is written up and signed by a judge making it binding.
But first, do talk to legal aide or spend the consultation fee with a good lawyer. But make sure it is a good one. Emphasize that you do not want a court battle, that you do want to provide for your kids but there are certain facts that must be dealt with like a chronic illness and your new job loss. You have a strong work history which should be taken into consideration.
I am sorry for your trouble. My life always seems full of these extra little "niceties" to add to my stress. But take each thing as a separate item and keep working for a solution.