No this is not an experiment; I hope no one would ever consider of doing one like this. No, this is an experience in futility and unfortunately so because of the way this system is run. Being in the work environment for 36 years I've only had to use government assistance before now, only a few times - getting unemployment until I found another job. But this has been a whole different experience and a very frustrating one at that. I know there are laws and stipulations to qualify for government assistance and unfortunately, I found out I didn't qualify for a lot - and that surprised me.
I've never experienced frustration as much as this, and this journey is still ongoing. I was in a car accident on my way to work on September 28th, 2018. As I was waiting for the light to change, I was violently hit from behind starting a nightmare of denials and of pain, frustration, and futility. Being I've put in my time and given a whole lot of my money to the government you think these programs would be available for someone like me, but you would be wrong.
Initially, I applied for unemployment since I qualified, or so I thought. Being I couldn't work because of a brain injury, I found out I didn't qualify for unemployment. Strike one.
Since I didn't have any money coming in, I tried to get help from the Uncle and tried to get cash assistance, food stamps, and rent assistance. Can you guess what happened? Yeah, I was denied. Strike two. I would think my wife being on disability would be a good thing, but it wasn't. They applied her income and because of it, I was denied. I didn't give up though.
If I remember correctly, our income was over 12-14 dollars which is what didn't qualify me. So, I didn't qualify for Medicaid, so I tried for the Marketplace, you guessed it, I didn't qualify. I fell in between the infernal regions of financial assistance. So, back to the drawing board; by the way, has anyone out there gone through this?
I reapplied again, they called me and asked if there were any other bills we are paying and we did so I qualified for...wait for it...food stamps. Whomp wah. Can you guess how much? I read that the government feels that 3 dollars a day are enough to live on, but apparently, that's too much for my wife and me.
By their standards or whatever their qualification is for us, they feel we can live on a dollar a day, so times that by 2 for a month and you get our total.
Not qualifying for medical insurance, I didn't know what I was going to do. I learned that my car insurance would cover a portion of my medical bills, but that evaporated about as quickly as a drop of water in the desert. I applied for a free clinic, but again I didn't qualify for assistance, I came back and reapplied and taking in to account that additional bill we pay - I qualified but I would have to pay 20 percent, but I couldn't since I don't have money coming in - so that was a moot point.
I haven't worked for almost ten months and dealing with post-concussion syndrome, occipital neuralgia, dizziness, spasms in my face, behind my eyes, in my jaw and throat, head pain, nerve pain in my neck, lower back, arms, hands, and drainage in my right ear, and sometimes left. Some days are worse than others with no rhyme and reason., this is a very, very frustrating experience.
Finally, I tried for financial assistance with LVHN - a hospital in Allentown and I qualified and would only have to pay 10 percent on my part. So I saw a neurologist, which he has been helpful, but as would guess, I ran into more problems. The doctor tried to get me to do some rehab for my concussion and get some shots to relieve my head pain and spasms, but FA said I didn't qualify since this has to do with my accident and so they could not treat me for those problems while my case is in litigation. Why do they make everything so hard? So, I'm back to square one again. My neurologist is trying to do all he can to see me despite FA not wanting to treat me - so I'm thankful for that.
I know you're asking yourself, why haven't you applied for disability? Can you guess? I did, but I was denied. Strike three. I've gotten a lawyer for that as well, but not sure if I will get approved the second time around, though the law firm said I would more than likely be approved. But at this point, I'm not holding my breath on anything.
I have a lawyer trying to get me a settlement from the car accident, but with all these denials, it's taking a long time to be able to see a doctor that I qualify for and then it's even taking longer because there is a long wait list. For the neurologist, I had to wait until March of this year to see him even though I tried to get an appointment last year in November. For my appointment to see about possible nerve damage in my neck, lower back and arms, I won't be able to see anyone until March of 2020! That's the earliest they could give me. So you can see why I sometimes feel this is futile. I worry about being denied the disability, I worry that it's taking so long to see doctors, I won't get the settlement I deserve, I worry because I feel I won't get the treatment I need and will suffer for the rest of my life and will have to find work and I don't know if I can really keep a job.
But you know what really frustrates me? The way this government is set up, why all the red tape, why do they make it so hard for a born citizen to qualify when I see those illegal citizens, get homes, jobs, food, money, and health care that I've worked hard for all my life and can't get, in two and threefold efforts? Talk about an experience in futility.
Monday, July 8, 2019
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up
It's a popular saying from a certain commercial portraying feeble and frail people who've taken a tumble and can't get up. Fortunately for them, they have a device hanging around their necks they can conveniently press so they can get the help they need. Well, that's the metaphor of I've found myself in, but unlike them; I have no device that's a beacon of comfort, relief, or assistance of any kind.
For me, it's more like I've fallen through the cracks and have become oblivious to the outside world and the bureaucratic agencies that are supposed to lend a hand when in need. Well, I've found out they are all just an apparatus of futility and frustration.
You see, I was involved in a car accident; getting hit from behind while stopped at a red light - minding my own business trying to stay afloat in this rat race in route to work. Well, from that one incident my life has been turned upside down on a sinking ship with a small pocket of air - we all know that you only have so much oxygen left before you succumb. Well, that "pocket of air" I thought I had are these agencies that supposedly help you in your time of need. I mean, I've paid my taxes for these departments of inefficiencies - I mean of support - that you go to for such circumstances that I've found myself in. So I lose the car, lose the job, apply for unemployment since I qualify - wait, I don't qualify, I mean I did but don't anymore. You see if you get injured and can't work then you don't qualify for unemployment. So I try to get help from these other agencies, but guess what? You guess it, I don't qualify. I don't have any money coming in but because my wife who suffers from a genetic disorder gets a disability check, means I no longer qualify for assistance.
My air, it's getting thinner...gasp! Believe me, I tried everything possible that the government has for such assistance for people like me, but every turn I get denied. Denied for unemployment, denied for Medicaid, denied for the Affordable Care Act, denied for Cash Assistance and denied for EBT(food stamps). Well, I was able to get some EBT and I say some since it's barely enough for a week and it's supposed to be for a month. I had to go show them that they themselves denied my unemployment, but only after calling them three times and going to their office twice - so efficient they are...insert sarcasm.
My pocket of air is shrinking every day and like I've said I've fallen but can't get up; not because I'm just a lazy don't want to do nothing, freeloader looking for handouts from the government, no it's because I'm not those things I can't seem to get anything. I looked online to see how people qualify and this system makes it so hard for hard, honest, working people who go through unfortunate events. They'll help you though if you have a drug addiction, or in abject poverty, or an illegal alien in need of help. But for me who has a brain injury and did everything right - somehow I get it wrong.
I've tried to see if I can get disability like my wife but the wheels of government move so very s-l-o-w. I applied but I won't get considered for another 5 months since that's how backed up they are - at least that's what I was told at the SS office. I'm sure they will initially deny me as well. As for a settlement, that won't happen soon either since I won't be able to see a neurologist for my head injury until March and the accident occurred in September!
I'm not looking for handouts, but I'm at my wit's end. Shouldn't the government have some type of subsidy for people like me who fall through the cracks? Well, I guess I have to start selling my belongings on eBay again. Anyone would like to buy some classic Technics floor speakers in excellent condition?
I'll be laying down where I've fallen if you need or bother to find me. 😂😂😂
For me, it's more like I've fallen through the cracks and have become oblivious to the outside world and the bureaucratic agencies that are supposed to lend a hand when in need. Well, I've found out they are all just an apparatus of futility and frustration.
You see, I was involved in a car accident; getting hit from behind while stopped at a red light - minding my own business trying to stay afloat in this rat race in route to work. Well, from that one incident my life has been turned upside down on a sinking ship with a small pocket of air - we all know that you only have so much oxygen left before you succumb. Well, that "pocket of air" I thought I had are these agencies that supposedly help you in your time of need. I mean, I've paid my taxes for these departments of inefficiencies - I mean of support - that you go to for such circumstances that I've found myself in. So I lose the car, lose the job, apply for unemployment since I qualify - wait, I don't qualify, I mean I did but don't anymore. You see if you get injured and can't work then you don't qualify for unemployment. So I try to get help from these other agencies, but guess what? You guess it, I don't qualify. I don't have any money coming in but because my wife who suffers from a genetic disorder gets a disability check, means I no longer qualify for assistance.
My air, it's getting thinner...gasp! Believe me, I tried everything possible that the government has for such assistance for people like me, but every turn I get denied. Denied for unemployment, denied for Medicaid, denied for the Affordable Care Act, denied for Cash Assistance and denied for EBT(food stamps). Well, I was able to get some EBT and I say some since it's barely enough for a week and it's supposed to be for a month. I had to go show them that they themselves denied my unemployment, but only after calling them three times and going to their office twice - so efficient they are...insert sarcasm.
My pocket of air is shrinking every day and like I've said I've fallen but can't get up; not because I'm just a lazy don't want to do nothing, freeloader looking for handouts from the government, no it's because I'm not those things I can't seem to get anything. I looked online to see how people qualify and this system makes it so hard for hard, honest, working people who go through unfortunate events. They'll help you though if you have a drug addiction, or in abject poverty, or an illegal alien in need of help. But for me who has a brain injury and did everything right - somehow I get it wrong.
I've tried to see if I can get disability like my wife but the wheels of government move so very s-l-o-w. I applied but I won't get considered for another 5 months since that's how backed up they are - at least that's what I was told at the SS office. I'm sure they will initially deny me as well. As for a settlement, that won't happen soon either since I won't be able to see a neurologist for my head injury until March and the accident occurred in September!
I'm not looking for handouts, but I'm at my wit's end. Shouldn't the government have some type of subsidy for people like me who fall through the cracks? Well, I guess I have to start selling my belongings on eBay again. Anyone would like to buy some classic Technics floor speakers in excellent condition?
I'll be laying down where I've fallen if you need or bother to find me. 😂😂😂
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