These last few months has really caused me to almost lose it to the point of bad swearing. I am still out of work and applying for all assistance as I am still going to PT/OT. I keep getting the "we never received it" run around by every....single....agency. I have to tell them well we not only faxed it (with a confirmation in hand) but mailed it.
Organizations that has helped thus far: There is an org here in MA called Action. They help with fuel assistance and other things. I got approved for fuel assistance (doesnt help me much for heat but does help with the hot water!). Its the first agency that was helpful and did their job.
I also applied for food stamps once again (been denied 3 other times and I did tell them I am a diabetic) and of course my caseworker sends out a letter (which I can see in the virtual gateway) that says we are missing this and that. We were in HER OFFICE when we GAVE her the stuff! I called her last night as if I didnt call at that moment even if I did write it down, I would forget anyhow. I also applied for cash assistance as well.
Then there is my long term disability from work that I paid into. They kept saying I had short term and my mom and I kept saying no its long term, my job doesnt offer short term. 3 months later they figured out "oh you do not have short term" (enter screaming here). Well duh! Now all of the paperwork has been transferred. Now i have to wait longer to receive anything at all. Keep in mind I haven't seen a paycheck since January as I am not cleared to go back to work (see previous blog).
Next is social security. I had an appointment with them last month. We did the application online which the case worker there said it was the best move as it will do her job a wee bit better.I even gave my PCP the necessary paperwork so the process can move a wee bit faster. I was told these things takes 3-4 months (I dont have that much time). I got an envelope to basically fill out the same stuff that we did online. I went to the post office today (4/8/13) to get a tracking # and signature confirmation as again I'll hear the "we never got it" ordeal. The envelope didnt need postage but all I wanted was those two things so I can say you did get it as it arrived on this date and was signed by this person. Oh no, the woman behind the window had to be nasty to me. I explained why I needed to do this. She tells me I would have to put it in a new envelope (priority cost 3.95) which I explain that I dont have $$ to do that as I am applying for assistance. She proceeds to tell me that they cant let me do what I needed and I explain to her well I will get the we never received it ordeal. I basically got a wee bit mad and put it in the out of town slot. I filed a complaint to the USPS that they should allow services like that so they have proof that it was received. And you wonder why the USPS is running out of money and want to get rid of Saturday mail delivery. I did however like all other paperwork made copies. I am going to call the rep on my case and let her know what has happened and if someone can let me know it was indeed received otherwise I am going into the local social security office.
So lastly, my fear is not being able to get my meds. Besides insulin for my pump, I am on 2 different anti-seizure meds (one is being weened off and the other is being upped and I absolutely can not miss a dose), a cholesterol med, Lisinopril, migraine meds, baby aspirin, depression/anxiety/OCD/PTSD med. I will have to find out what I can do about that. Luckily I have like 5 more vials of insulin!
The question of MS is still lingering. As of right now the MS dr said its unlikely I have MS but its not ruled out 100%. The other question is getting housing assistance (I am told there is a 5 year waiting list which is ridiculous as there are people that shouldn't be in housing whereas some of us who truly DO NEED that help cant get it (I'm going to keep my mouth shut on other things that I dont want to offend anyone).
I am trying to figure out well how the heck am I suppose to keep my health in check and keep a roof over my head when everyone wont do their job? Why do we suffer when others make it easy to get the assistance that we need but it hurts me to have to struggle to get help that I need the most! What am I suppose to do? Where are the resources to have a social worker (which no one will give me!!!!!!!!) or a case worker to assist in what we need. I also get call this # when they dont realize I wear hearing aids and do not hear well on the phone and then they send out a form of consent to talk to my mom where I'll be clueless! Or they'll ask my mom to speak to me and that is difficult in itself.
overall, the only good news I've heard since my hospitalization is the fuel assistance. The other good news is possibly getting the Dexcom G4 through assistance (waiting to hear back from my local rep).
Overall, I am just more mad then when this whole thing started! And this so doesnt help my diabetes at all. I know my endo will not be pleased. but Ive got to take some action and speak as loud as I can until someone hears me. So 2013 has NOT been a good year and from my last blog, I was really hoping things would improve. but nope. I sit here writing my frustrations out otherwise it will eat me alive.
It truly sucks not only being a diabetic but having epilepsy with the possible of MS. Why are things so hard? I just hope the rest of 2013 gets a little bit easier and some angel will help me out with this.