I am having so much trouble getting around these days. My spine has been really hurting lately and the fatigue is just terrible. I have to reapply for all the state benefits but they are insisting that I come into the office even though I've requested a phone or in home interview which I have the right to do. They make arbituary appointments that you are supposed to show up for and there's no real way to change them so you automatically get denied even though I did call and try to change the appointment. So, I'm losing my food stamps and Medical until I straighten this out. This is the same office that finally gave me General Assistance but no one told me that I had to go down to the office and get a different card than the one they gave me for the food stamps. Now, I have to go and sit down in their office which absolutely kills my spine. They also lost all the paperwork I sent in for my daughter in the same envelope as mine. So she has to reapply, again.
The real frustration is that they don't want to make any accommodation for you if you are disabled. And the people who are supposed to help me get wheelchair ramps expect me to be able to physically go to all their activities that are on the other side of town and I just can't between all the fatigue and the pain.
Which makes me painfully aware of how limited I have become when all I want to do is just give up the disability process and go back to work. My boss even emailed me yesterday offering me my job back any time I wanted it. She was so nice and said I was irreplaceable.
So here I sit, hurting so bad and I'm going to have stay off the computer hoping all this flaring will calm down. It just being hit with this all the time what I can't do when I want to do things. And if I could do all the things that they want me to do, I'd just go back to working because honestly, somedays working was a whole easier.
Go in in a wheel chair. It will help you get around, and will make the people their realize what complete idiots they are!Deanna, I am hurting just reading about all this. I wish you could arrange to be taken to their office by ambulance and carried in on a gurney. Maybe that would get their attention. If it is your right to have a home or phone interview they need to be reported for their violation of your rights. Have you contacted your congressman? Sometimes a call from them can make everyone snap to attention.
I hope your pain lessens very soon - all the best, Pat
Deanna, I have just written a long note and then lost it because I was trying to attach an image for you and well I lost that too
Basically wanted to send big hugs and love and wishes that an angel will fix your pain and the nasty people will be kinder. I like the ideas above too, that have come in as I mess around with pics ;)
I couldnt get it into this post, so here it is - I took it myself
http://www.wendycainphotography.com/rose.htm
When you fill out paperwork again, make sure to make copies. I have learned this lesson the hard way but I always do it now. Even my scripts I mail in. Just in case things get lost.
Rest and get some strength back!
Wendy, your rose pic was gorgeous!
Deanna, Aside from all of the pain, I would be so PO'D off. How in hell can they run an office this way? And how can the State or City let this happen? If you abuse an animal you get arrested and dammit it Deanna, this is abuse of a person! Losing papers? I worked in an office atmosphere most of my life and I never lost anything! OMG.... Now you have another hoop to jump thru Deanna and you can do it if you can lessen the pain and fatigue. Go Get Em Girl! Deanna keep on fighting for what you have a right to. I know that you are strong and can do this. I have read your posts encouraging others which shows your strength. I will pray for strength and am sending hugs.Deanna-Sorry to hear this. Hang in there kiddo!
Hi Deanna - I think the suggestion of a wheelchair may be a good one. I have also found it essential to copy everything, inconvenient as it is but I am sure a lot of the time they lose these things on purpose. I believe at some stage here,they were paying bonuses to the people working at the beneficiary offices when they managed to get people back into work or save the 'govt' money - how sick is that. They still intend ,in their words to get those on sickness and invalid benefits back into work - the fact you have to go to an independent government appointed dr. to be assessed as to whether you are capable of working completely escapes them.
Deanna, I am hurting just reading about all this. I wish you could arrange to be taken to their office by ambulance and carried in on a gurney. Maybe that would get their attention. If it is your right to have a home or phone interview they need to be reported for their violation of your rights. Have you contacted your congressman? Sometimes a call from them can make everyone snap to attention.
I hope your pain lessens very soon - all the best, Pat
[/QUOTE]I'm supposed now go down to the state office to try and straighten it out. I can't really postpone it because they have already cut off my food stamps and will cut off my medical. They've put me in such a desperate state that I really have no choice.
I always hate doing this because these people must have seminars in being rude. Also my pain levels are so high. I think being off MTX is really hurting me too.
Wendy loved the flower. You really are profession level. I used to buy photography so I have looked at a lot of work. You have the gift.
If things don't work out today, I will go calling up the ladder again. But that is an exhausting, humilating process as well. Both evils are just bad.
I had to set aside the letter to Senator McCain to do all their stupid paperwork. They forced me into doing my appeal to Social Security in 10 days instead of the 60 that I am allowed. So, I have to get through this and I am trying to get it all done before my first surgery.
I did keep copies of all the paperwork.
It is interesting what Cassie said about other countries in the Western World not putting up with this. They do pay people here to disqualify as many people as they can unless you are Hispanic. But this process is pure torture and getting help is a nightmare.
It seems the only way one can get help doing any of this is to get a Case Manager assigned through the Mental Health system. There is nothing for the disabled. And, the organization for the disabled here expects me to go to all these events that I physically cannot do so that I can get their help. I had to ask three times for some other kind of arrangement. They think I should either go to the events or have family and friends pay for it. That's the solution, you get no help from the government, no help from the non-profit charities who get their funding from the government, and your family is supposed to pick up the bill. I don't think that's what Americans thought their taxes were going for.
But I guess if you are disabled, You are not an American any more. You're just trash on street and the sooner they can sweep you away, out of sight, the better.
Somewhere inside that fight still lingers. But I am so sick right now that I cannot reach it. Hey in a few months, not any time soon, they'll offer me some antidepressants so I can cope with all this better. They won't offer any real help, but they'll give you pills to make you feel better.
What a society we have made.
I called the Governor's office and was put in touch with some official who looked at the case and could see that it was screwed up. He's going to investigate it further and try and get me a phone or home interview. As far as the General Assistance, he gave me this phone number to get the card sent to me in the mail. I call that number which you can't get through to a person.
So I call the Customer Service number and wait 45 minutes on hold to talk to a person who sends me back to that number to put my old card number in and then try the lost card option so I can get through to a person. Well, that helped a lot. She couldn't find anything under my old case number, which is exactly right. Or, anything under my new case number. I explained the problem and she said there is nothing she can do about and no, I cannot talk to her supervisor. She absolutely refused.
So, I call back the important person in the Governor's office and leave another message. This is so absolutely ridiculous.
I am right there with ya Deann. I am so sad that you are going through this, why is it people just cannot be kind?
I have ran into so many people this week that are so terribly rude it is unbelievable. Be thankful they are not telling you to go to church to find the right path because the path you are on is destructive and can only be corrected if you go to church...that is what I hear all too often!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO be thankful you do not have to live through that bit anyway.
This has been a bad week for me as well, I lose all my insurance and food credit next month because my daughter has enough credits to graduate early. SO no more meds for me or else I have to pay full price...let's see, another 0 out of the budget and that does not include the NSAIDS nor the chiro or osteo meds which is well over another 0.That does nto include Enbrel and we all know how expensive that is! And Guess what, the money is not in the budget either.
TO top it off, the pump burnt up last night so I have no way to drain water from the softner or the washing machine..........I had to go to the laundry mat after I took my mom to the hairdresser, I am losing my mind! I am supposed to be married and the husband is supposed to take care of all that.Oh almost forgot I also had to shovel snow and I am in so much pain I would rather be in nursing home myself! I cannot do this anymore...I keep telling my mom and daughter this and they just look at me...........I am so outta here asap!I am tired of being taken advantage of!
Oh well..................same discouraging boat here Deanna........it absolutely sucks! WE should get together sometime and drink a very large acoholic beverage Deanna! *clicking glasses..."here is to hope and a brighter life".
jode
Oh, Jode, you sound positively miserable. And yes, I would love to commiserate with you. Try calling the state assistance office and see if you qualify for continued assistance on the basis of having Rheumatoid Arthritis. Many states consider it and the expense. Get your doctor started on the Patient Assistance programs for your Enbrel. You can also go to their web site.
Have you ever thought of going on strike until the rest of your family gets it? I mean just stop doing things for them. I know they are all impossible but at this rate they are going to damage your health to the point that you are not going to be around anyway. That's what finally made me quit doing stuff, saying no. I took the fact that I cared for everyone and decided if I didn't start saying no and putting more of the responsibility on them, then I wouldn't be around.
And, I have been through the path to God treatment and it really hurts because I'm sure you have your faith that gets you through each day. It's almost impossible to face all this without some blind faith thrown in. Don't let them give you the guilt trip. It's between you and God. If they want to help, let them pray for you and then also prove it with acts of kindness. My parents and siblings are super, super religious. They really hurt me with that, trying to force me to go to church when I was too sick. So, I do get that. You just keep your own faith going and hold fast to that.
Maybe you could write out jobs on pieces of paper for everyone. Fixing the pump--husband. Washing clothes--daughter. Cooking a meal--mother. No arguments. No discussions. Just do it.
I know it's not that simple, but you have to do something.
Good grief, Jode - shoveling snow??? Please don't do that again. Someone else MUST do that for you. You really can't risk damaging your joints doing that and being out in the cold. I hope your family "gets it" soon and pitches in to save your life and your sanity. As far as the rude people you have run into, they are not worth a second of your precious time. What goes around, comes around, they may be in your position some day. I hope better days are just around the corner for you. All the best, PatDeanna, I'm so sorry to hear that you're being given the bureaucratic runaround...and losing your file, that is unacceptable. Let's hope your voice is heard and the powers that be get their act together quickly and fix the mess.
Judy
Deanna Iam sooooooooooooooooo sorry I just got to this thred. You are being put through pure hell. I spend ever weekday on thehone and get so frustrated. brett runs errands costantly. Your situation is so much more difficult than mine but it has taken a year to get disability and I am still fighting for services for Kelsey. I say get in that wheelchair and go in those offices and do a wheelie, sorry babe, but you have to fall and then start screaming that you were not supposed to run errands and had asked for homevisits. Do not stop screaming until police come and arrest you, your one phone call - the newspaper. HMMMMMM - What do you think?
Oh Deanna, it sounds as though you are making a nudge in leeway....why is it so impossible??????? HEre we are can barely move an dno help...yet, when we were young and in the position to help we did......not fare!
Oh my daughter got the message when I picked her up from school and she named off a list of places I "have" to take her before to her bfriends then work. I simply told her no and had a major crying meltdown in the car, she triedto open the door to get out of the car.......again....and I said.....go for it, then make a choice of living at home or at yoru bfriends house. WE fought all the way to her bfrineds ouse cause I would not take her to tanning. I went home got her clothes for the weekend, went to her bfriends and gaev her her stuff and told her to look at cars. I told ehr I love her dearly, she said the same , I repeated and stated I cannot do this anymore, and I left.
I will die if I continue this. I will die from stress or from pure exhaustion and yes I had to shovel.....it sucked! ANd no I do nto have a husband or a steady bfriend.........it sucks!
jode
oh and about church, I believe in GOd and noone will ever change that, but no one will ever change my belief that you "must" go to church to be loved by God or to believe in God. Tim and I never went to church, and only attended 2 times when his daughter and his nephew were married. THe church did not crumble at our knees nor did we get swhooshed away because we do not attend.
My mother is a true bible beater and many around here are, I do not believe I have to "prove" and explain why I choose not to attend church. THey all say I will never find a decent man till I go to church...........is God rally that conditional? Or is it the people?
ANyway, Deanna you and I need a break and a tall one, what's your fancy?
Hey maybe rather than going to see the new baby in California, I will just fly to your house and we will party and share stories!!!!!!!!!! EEEEw, may not be able to go now.........won't have any money and when people find out around here that I will not go to church I may not have good sales at the rummage............yikes!
jode
Jode - am so sorry to hear what you are going through.I guess I could go for a margarita. I'll take a virgin, that will be enough of a treat.
I don't feel like I got anywhere. I got a call back from the high up the ladder guy. He doesn't understand why I can't get the card and guesses I still will have to go down to the local office. Geez! When the guy at the top doesn't have a clue... well. He did say he put in there that I need a call for schedule an in home or phone visit.
Stills leaves Julie hanging out there. I can't seem to get her any help. Figures, I can't get me any help.
Jode, I'm with you on understanding about the church. And, you just have to keep setting boundaries with your girl. It is the kindest thing you can do for everyone. And, no, you shouldn't have to shovel snow but I don't know what you can do about it.