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ATTENTION ALABAMA FURS - Desperate Importance
16 years ago
Today my son was born, 5lb 11oz.
Why am I starting off with this you might be asking right about now. The sad truth is, I haven't seen him, since my two sons live with their mother in another state. I would go see them, but without money that's not possible.
To set things straight, this isn't a cry out for donations, instead I'm asking for something on a historical scale.
Three days ago I found myself in Huntsville hospital's emergency room, unable to breath and in blinding pain. Earlier that day I was sitting in the living room watching some television while I was nursing some of my chronic, debilitating, back pains. All of a sudden a minor cough set on me. No sooner than making two meek coughs did I hear a loud popping sound in my chest, followed by some of the most intense pains I've ever felt in my life. I stumbled to my feet, trying desperately to wake my sleeping friend.
Needless to say that I was unable to speak, my breath taken away when my lung wouldn't expand. I was born with a rather nasty deformity on my right chest, leaving me without a pectoral muscle and plagued by serious medical problems over it. As I waited six hours in the emergency room, with friends fearful of my ability to last through the night, I was finally seen by an INTERN! Not a doctor, but a damn intern, who was almost twice my age. The medical staff gave me a mild dose of morphine and took two (yes, two) x-rays of my chest. That was the extent of their interest in me, because I have no medical insurance. The "doctor" returned and told me that I was fine, probably had a popped rib, and sent me home with some generic pain killer.
I spent the last three days bedridden, struggling to breath. Today at least I'm able to sit and discuss this, but my intent is not to bitch and whine, but rather to take drastic action. I've had enough of being turned away by this country's atrocious medical care system. For the last five years I've been ignored as my health has deteriorated and my ability to work has been stripped of me. I hear people tell me "Find a desk job." knowing full well that I have no transportation to do so. Can't buy a car without a job, so there's my first dead end.
I tend to hear people say "Just do fast food, or work at Walmart." which is infuriating because my body won't hold up at a fast food restaurant (been fired every time for the last five years because I couldn't perform the duties I was hired for due to my health), and Walmart has already red-flagged me as a liability with my health. There's the second dead end. I try to get some medical assistance, only to be turned away because of having no insurance. Yet another dead end.
Next we come to social security.
Here's where I need help. I've applied in both Louisiana and Alabama for SSI (supplemental security income) They tell me I don't "qualify" for SSD (social security disability) because I haven't worked enough in my life. This makes no sense to me because that shouldn't play in part in matters when a person is no longer able to physically bring in any income due to their injuries. Both times I've been scheduled to see their own physicians, and have been unable to make their doctor's appointments because of a lack of transportation (no one would even let me use their car because I have no license! Can't get that without money either) . They refuse to offer any, yet claim nothing can be done to help me if I don't show. This has become an insane game of chase the tail. All of my financial ends have been cut off (commissions from art can't sustain me, I don't make enough from it), and transportation is out of the question.
I'm at wit's end, and I need help from as many people as willing to put a stop to this injustice.
I propose a petition, written by as many people as absolutely possible. I'd also like to rally as many residents in this state as are able to accompany me to my local social security office (on a date to be stated later when this event can be arranged) and make a serious, public statement for assistance.
I'm hoping this isn't coming off as selfish or greedy, since I'm sure there are others far more deserving. I just cannot see any other way to make these people understand that not everyone can jump their proverbial hoops. I need help, not just a few donations here and there, but something monumental and permanent.
To all of my fellow furs, and all the people who believe in what's right, I plead with all of my heart and soul, Please, Please help me! To all who are able to respond to this, give me your hand and help me stand against an unjust and ignorant system.
Desperately yours, Nate.
Why am I starting off with this you might be asking right about now. The sad truth is, I haven't seen him, since my two sons live with their mother in another state. I would go see them, but without money that's not possible.
To set things straight, this isn't a cry out for donations, instead I'm asking for something on a historical scale.
Three days ago I found myself in Huntsville hospital's emergency room, unable to breath and in blinding pain. Earlier that day I was sitting in the living room watching some television while I was nursing some of my chronic, debilitating, back pains. All of a sudden a minor cough set on me. No sooner than making two meek coughs did I hear a loud popping sound in my chest, followed by some of the most intense pains I've ever felt in my life. I stumbled to my feet, trying desperately to wake my sleeping friend.
Needless to say that I was unable to speak, my breath taken away when my lung wouldn't expand. I was born with a rather nasty deformity on my right chest, leaving me without a pectoral muscle and plagued by serious medical problems over it. As I waited six hours in the emergency room, with friends fearful of my ability to last through the night, I was finally seen by an INTERN! Not a doctor, but a damn intern, who was almost twice my age. The medical staff gave me a mild dose of morphine and took two (yes, two) x-rays of my chest. That was the extent of their interest in me, because I have no medical insurance. The "doctor" returned and told me that I was fine, probably had a popped rib, and sent me home with some generic pain killer.
I spent the last three days bedridden, struggling to breath. Today at least I'm able to sit and discuss this, but my intent is not to bitch and whine, but rather to take drastic action. I've had enough of being turned away by this country's atrocious medical care system. For the last five years I've been ignored as my health has deteriorated and my ability to work has been stripped of me. I hear people tell me "Find a desk job." knowing full well that I have no transportation to do so. Can't buy a car without a job, so there's my first dead end.
I tend to hear people say "Just do fast food, or work at Walmart." which is infuriating because my body won't hold up at a fast food restaurant (been fired every time for the last five years because I couldn't perform the duties I was hired for due to my health), and Walmart has already red-flagged me as a liability with my health. There's the second dead end. I try to get some medical assistance, only to be turned away because of having no insurance. Yet another dead end.
Next we come to social security.
Here's where I need help. I've applied in both Louisiana and Alabama for SSI (supplemental security income) They tell me I don't "qualify" for SSD (social security disability) because I haven't worked enough in my life. This makes no sense to me because that shouldn't play in part in matters when a person is no longer able to physically bring in any income due to their injuries. Both times I've been scheduled to see their own physicians, and have been unable to make their doctor's appointments because of a lack of transportation (no one would even let me use their car because I have no license! Can't get that without money either) . They refuse to offer any, yet claim nothing can be done to help me if I don't show. This has become an insane game of chase the tail. All of my financial ends have been cut off (commissions from art can't sustain me, I don't make enough from it), and transportation is out of the question.
I'm at wit's end, and I need help from as many people as willing to put a stop to this injustice.
I propose a petition, written by as many people as absolutely possible. I'd also like to rally as many residents in this state as are able to accompany me to my local social security office (on a date to be stated later when this event can be arranged) and make a serious, public statement for assistance.
I'm hoping this isn't coming off as selfish or greedy, since I'm sure there are others far more deserving. I just cannot see any other way to make these people understand that not everyone can jump their proverbial hoops. I need help, not just a few donations here and there, but something monumental and permanent.
To all of my fellow furs, and all the people who believe in what's right, I plead with all of my heart and soul, Please, Please help me! To all who are able to respond to this, give me your hand and help me stand against an unjust and ignorant system.
Desperately yours, Nate.
Have you already sent notes to who you find in that list
Just want to know it before, sending them the note several times could do more bad than good.
this is wrong
and dun for a second think that your not worthy of help
if i could i would drive you and hell even try to pay for the doctors.
this is the reason i hate America
*hugs* i would help you get through this if i could
but for now i'm really only good for venting too so any need to talk to anyone just send me a note
If it's online I'll sign but... can't really do anything else from the other side of the country.
I'll help you from here as best I can. I will gladly spread this word for you, and turn others' attentions to this.
I wish you the best of luck, and I hope you get vast support.
~ Nask
I live in Huntsville, BTW. I might be able to provide you with a ride to/from places so long as it doesn't overlap my school/work schedule. Note me.
The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health care Organizations (JCAHO) have a say in what ratings a hospital receives, which impacts how much money different hospitals receive from the feds. You guys need to start reporting problems with the hospital to this organization via the organization's web-page, which can be found here. http://www.jointcommission.org/ . Nate, it's my understanding that if they did not set up or attempt to set up a followup appointment within two to three days of your hospital visit, that is against JCAHO policy. I don't know if you perhaps declined a follow-up visit due to the humiliating treatment you received, but if they didn't offer it, it might be worth reporting.
I'm not from Alabama, but you can bet your arse I'll sign your petition if it turns out interstate residents can do ANYTHING at all to help. If such is the case, please let those of us who ARE from out of state what can be done. This is a national crime against humanity instigated by the highest authorities, and everyone in the nation needs to recognize that especially in these economic downturns anyone and everyone can be victim to these injustices.
You might look up the local "Legal Aid Society" and request an attorney that will work with your case pro bono. I've known blind people who have never worked a day in their lives and still receive supplemental income to support their lifestyles. Again, they'll probably brush you off at first, but if you persist (And returning the rudeness they give is unlikely to help you), and continue to let them know that yours is an important case, you'll probably get an attorney. Lots of pro bono attorneys are fresh out of college, so don't emphasize your disdain for interns quite so much if and when you meet with one.
God bless ya man.