hlep for injured son

[Guest guest]

My dear Reba: Hang in there, he and your family will find your ways. Lean on

our prayers. I send many to you...

Here is a small overview of other things to look into and apply for: THis is

just ceep's two cents' worth opinion:

FOR INCOME ENOUGH TO LIVE VERY MODESTLY: IN PRIORITY ORDER:

1. SSI: social security disability. This has to be applied for and it takes a

while, but it is valuable for those who are injured and cannot work.

Disabilities are assessed; some are 100%, some are 50%, some injuries are

considered 25% disabled, and funds to help pay rents and food are assessed

accordingly.

2. federal food stamp program. This is to be applied for.

3. state welfare. This is to be applied for.

4. for food in an emergency: most churches have 'food closets' that will be

happy to give to anyone in need.

FOR HEALTH INSURANCE FOR AN ADULT

look into:

1. Any city or town nearby that offers a city wide health plan for all its

inhabitants. We have one in two suburbs near the big city. One of my

colleagues moved her son to one of those towns so he would be eligible. He

had suffered a closed head injury.

2. joining any professional group that offers group health insurance: there

are many church groups, art groups, credit union groups that offer health

insurance to their memberzs. The author's guild and union I belong to both

offer health insurance to all memebers and their families at fairly

reasonable costs.

3. Ask HR if your boy is declared disabled and moves home, and is totally

dependent on you finanancially (you pay all his expenses and he does not

work) if he can be on your health policy regardless of his age.

4. Call and inquire about how to apply for medicaid.

FOR SURGICAL ASSISTANCE RE FINANCES

look into

1. your teaching hospitals, which will often give the surgery for little cost

as long as you ok that residents will be doing the surgery (Residents are

full MDs who are specializing in something and taking up residence at a

teaching hospital in order to deepen their skills.) supervised by senior

surgeons with vast experience.

2. If your son is on medicaid, go to top docs in the field he needs and write

them personal letters asking to take your son as a patient on medicaid. Tell

them you know Medicaid doesn't pay well, but that you know all docs do some

pro-bono work, and could he/she do that for your son.

FOR SURGICAL INTERVENTION

1. Consider settling the issue of gastric bypass surgery first, injuired back

second, if the surgery for back might be less effective while MO. This is

just my opinion.

2. Consider fixing injured back first if it would mean a more successful GB.

This is only an opinion about how to weigh risk versus benefit.

FOR OTHER KINDS OF SUPPORT

1. Sometimes the best thing one can do when there are so many issues and

challenges that are somewhat outside of one's control, it to join a church of

able and goodhearted people who will help in ways you never thought possible.

2. Don't be afraid to ask for what you need. It is not begging. it is asking

in order to see who/what can help. It is gathering resources, information.

Never, never let life be made small because you carried false pride.

To do all the above takes a good deal of telephoning, showing up, filling out

papers, answering questions. It takes patience, but many have done it.

This comes with love and peace for your good and deep mother's heart,

ceep g-mom