Walking With Grandmpa [my father and grand-daughter]

Walking With Grandmpa [my father and grand-daughter]
"I like walking with granpa his steps are short like mine." (dedicated to my dad who passed 4/1/10)

Monday, May 7, 2012

Upset with the system

Have you every had a problem that feels so big that you feel like your running around in circles... because no matter what you do it feels like your hitting a brick wall?
My dear sister found out six weeks ago that she has some bad problems with her eyes (the problem started 3 weeks before but it took a bit to get her into a doctor). The doctor said if she does not have surgery in the next three to six months (of that six weeks have already passed) there will be nothing they can do to save her eye sight. She had really good insurance through her husbands work, but when he passed a few years ago they wanted her to pay $925.00 a month, so she had to cancel it and keep her fingers crossed. That worked for the last nine years but now this has come up. I have tried everything I know to try. She always said she would not ask for help but I checked with medicaid and with her pension (from her husband) she makes too much so they turned her down (not official letter, the lady said she made too much) and will get the rejection letter in the mail soon. They told us to apply for SSI, she was turned down last week (received rejection letter in the mail for that one already) we also applied for disability because until she has her surgery she is considered legally blind... but we found out that that has a 24 month waiting period (because she is only 61) if she will even be approved to get on! The Lions club said she makes $200.00 too much a month for their help, even with her adopted son counted and her grand daughter (its just the three of them at home one is 12 and the other 6) I don't understand she doesn't make an outrageous amount of money, just enough to pay her bills and a bit left over for groceries and gas! I am sorry I am rambling but I hung up the phone a few hours ago in tears. As a last resort I called her doctors office, the one that would be doing the surgery, and explained to the office how her finances are. He charged her $385 for the first visit that they said she had to pay in cash or check (she did) the second visit was a lot of testing and they said they gave her a discount but they still charged her $1,085.00 (again check or cash and had to be paid in full) now she only has $85.00 in her savings. I explained this to the office attendant and she said she would talk to the doctor and call back. She did... and in a very sweet voice....said the doctor will set her up on payments (I was so happy....for a minute) then she said: but she needs $10,000 cash up front for him and $3,000 cash up front for the surgery center and then they will set her up on payments on the remaining balance and that would be in the neighborhood of $15,000. I am sorry this is so long but I just had to get it off my chest, we help sooo many people even in other countries, why can I get no help for my sister when the help would save her sight?  I am just so upset and writing it down seems to take a little of the tightness in my chest away if only for a while. Please, anyone out there, can you keep my sister Pat in your prayers... that this will turn out okay and she will not loose her sight? My sister is such a sweet person she has in the past taken in so may children in need into her home and she even became a foster parent for a while until her husband died. I know there is not a magic pill out there. It's just when you have spent your whole life helping others like my sister has, and never ask for help for herself, the one time when help is needed you would think in this great country we live in it would not be allowed for someone to go blind and she would get help when surgery is all that is needed. Thanks for listening.

12 comments:

  1. I am so sorry that you and your sister are having to go through this. I am a registered nurse and my last job was working for a large health insurance company here in Texas. I left because of the system and people like you. I just couldn't take it anymore. My heart was breaking continually for families in your same situation. I was the one on the other end of the line having to tell someone "no, you're not going to be covered." There has to be some kind of solution! I will try and research what I can and, in the meantime, you will be in my prayers. Trust me, God is the Almight Healer and only He works wonders.

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    1. Yes that would be a very hard job, but someone has to do it and it would be better coming from someone who cares like you! Thanks for your prayers they are very much appreciated!
      Kim

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  2. Nurses and orderlies I like as a group, doctors I don't.

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    1. I think that some Doctors need to go to school to get a better bedside mannor! I know that they deal with things like this and a lot worse daily, I understand that. I just wish some would not smile when they give bad news like they are asking if you would like a refill on your soda.

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  3. My heart breaks for your sister and you! These kind of things should NOT happen in a country like this! My parents never had to worry that they could not afford health care! Call your local medical center/teaching hospital and see if your sister could be seen by one of their opthamologists and qualify for the hospital discount. Eight years ago my 21 yr. old son had an accident and broke his neck in two places. By a miracle, he survived with no paralysis, but he did not have health insurance. He did qualify for the hospital discount and they wrote off all his bill. Praying your sister finds some help!

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    1. Thanks for the tip I called Barnes clinic and waiting for a call back, fingers crossed!

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  4. Does your sister own her home? Can she borrow from any equity that may be in it? Does she bank at a community bank or credit union? If so she could go in and talk to a loan officer and explain her situation and maybe get a low interest loan. Try the Red Cross and Salvation Army. If they can't help they may know someone who can. Was her husband a veteran? The VA may can help or know someone who can. Local churches may help or know someone who can.

    Put a Paypal donate button on your blog and get the story out about your sister. Money is tight for most people but a little bit from a lot of folks can add up.

    There are many of us who would be in the same boat as your sister, myself included. Pat will be in my prayers.

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    1. Thanks I ask her about her house, she went to the bank today to talk to them about a refinance. Her husband was a vet, how do I get ahold of someone from the VA? I appreciate the idea with the donate button, but so many people need help now a day's I would not want to ask. I always have my dad's voice in my ear saying there is always someone else in more need than us dear. If you are in a real need get down on your knee's and say a prayer. I do so miss my dad! Thanks for your prayers very much!! :)
      Kim

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    2. Kim... I hope you are finding out some good info by now. You can go online and find a local VA office or check your telephone book. Ask to speak to a social worker. They may can point you in the right direction. Finding information sometimes is like pulling teeth.

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    3. Thanks and I have been finding out a lot and a Dr called me back today and gave me a number for a clinic that he works through and told me to tell them he said to call and pat needed to be seen in the next two weeks! :) The clinc is in Barnes Hospital (its a start), thanks for your help and prayers!
      Your friend Kim

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  5. Oh, I am so relating to this right now and my heart breaks for you all. YES, you all are definitely in my prayers... God's blessings on you!

    Put the Donate button on your blog, maybe with a little note under it as to whomwhat it is for, then tell your story, but don't ask for donations if you don't want to, just make the option available. Although there are many people out there that you feel may need help even more, there are many out there looking for the good feeling of helping someone, people that still have it to give, and one may be looking for someone like her to give to. You said you she has always been on the giving end. Someone once said to me, "You know how good it feels when you help someone? Well, when you don't ask for or let someone help you, you are depriving them of that feeling." It really made me take a step back and think.
    Prayers are a wonderful and powerful thing, but to get answers, we have to do our part, too, with the tools we have. I know it is just my opinion (and could be wrong), but if the Donate tool is available to you, why not put it up so that it is available in case it is the answer to some of your prayers. Just some ideas. My heart and prayers go out to you all! Oh, yes, have you thought about a fundraiser? With a fundraiser, everyone will receive something for what they are giving to help. BLESSINGS!

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    1. I have been trying to get a fundraiser going for next month. My sister (other sister) :) is an Eagles member so I thought we could do it there. I am going to auction off a couple of full size quilts (hand made by me). I have a turkey gun I am going to (next week) start selling ticket on and pull the ticket the day of fundraiser. I also thought if I can get it together in time to also have a BBQ and a friend of mine said her and her band would play country music. Keeping fingers crossed for the third week of next month! Anna as far as a donate button I dont even know how that works, I do not know a lot about blogging outside of what I have done so far. Thanks for your prayers, with Gods help it will all work out.
      Kim

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