Good News Finally!!!

We got notified today that Wayne is approved for Social Security Disability!  YAY!!!!  We don't know about the insurance yet but assume it will be medicare.  He gets his first check the 3rd Wed in November.  We'll be anxiously looking forward to that!!! 

Absolutely Unbelievable

Yesterday I talked to the case worker for DHS and she said that our medicaid is remaining the same with the $1804 deductible because the state's budget says that is what we are qualified for based on our income.  I couldn't understand when she told me this and told her I didn't understand, that our income was reduced and she said that because of the child support that it went up!  That made no sense to me at all.  She told me that I would get a complete budget information so I could then understand. 

Today's Mail:  The budget info she talked about showed that we were making over $1000 more than we are which explains why the medicaid didn't change PLUS they reduced our food stamp allowance!  WHAT?  So I called and left a message to make an appointment to discuss this.  I have no idea where she got the amount of income she had but we need to find out. 

Seems the battle never ends. 

Isn't it Ridiculous??

First, I talked to the case worker (state) about medicaid for Wayne and I only to find out that it remains at $1804 per month deductible for EACH of us b/c according to the state's budget, that is what we qualify for based on our income.  Well our income is a couple hundred less than $1804, but who cares, right?  Anyway, then I asked her about the State Emergency Fund application I put in for a new furnace and she said that they only approve up to $1000 so we were denied since replacing the furnace costs more than $4k.  So hopefully we won't run into any problems this winter.  We're going to buy one of those small electric fireplace heaters just in case.  At least we'll have heat if something happens to the furnace. 

Also talked to the lawyer that filed our bankruptcy back in February of this year about the copies we needed and he said they could be emailed to me.  We were lucky that when we got home, I had an email with all the copies.  We need that for the Veterans Affairs office in hopes to get Wayne some assistance.  We filled out a "hardship" form with them.



Then we headed out because we had to get medical records from the hospital and since we were out and about, decided to stop by the DR's office to pick up a statement for Wayne's work telling them that he is still unable to work.  Got to the hospital and Wayne almost falls on his face from his wheelchair, going off the curb with it... I caught it just in time!  The medical records didn't cost us anything so that was good.  (We were expecting it to cost 25cents per sheet).  The lady did tell us though next time it will cost and the lawyer will have to request them.  This is for the lawyer about worker's comp.  We still don't know if it is worth it yet to get a lawyer for that.  We're going to make an appointment with the lawyer for a free consult.  That's on my list.  LOL 


The DR's office didn't have the statement ready so I asked her to fax it to Wayne's work.  We then got a phone call from the SS Disability case worker and he told Wayne that the status of his claim was mailed on the 21st.  Well, today being the 27th, it seems we should have already received that, so I told Wayne to call the guy back and ask him WHERE he mailed it since the man wouldn't talk to me at all.  The man told Wayne that it was mailed last week, to be patient, and he had another call, so hung up.  We're wondering if he used a carrier pigeon to deliver that mail.


Then we head over to the old house (we moved from) to see if it was in the mail there... NOT.... and then back home to see if it was in our mail there (NOT) and then to Wayne's work to hand the secretary there the leave of absence forms for Sep and Oct (yes we were late with Sep).  We have to fill them out every month.


THEN we came home.  We were on the road since Noon till about 3pm (3 hours). 


Isn't it ridiculous?

Do you have a clue?

You never think about how difficult it is for a handicapped person to have to depend on someone to take care of him/her, to simply be able to park in a spot with enough room to get out of the car and into a wheelchair, to depend on another person to get your wheelchair out of the trunk for you and wheel it over to your door.  Do you ever think about how hard it is for the handicapped to find a handicapped space?  Finding one large enough to give you room to get into a wheelchair are few and far between.  Many handicapped spaces only allow enough room for the car.  Seems whoever planned that out did not consider those in wheelchairs that have to slide from their car seat to the chair need that extra room.  It seems that there just are not enough handicapped spaces available.  Makes you think.  There must be more handicapped people now than when they created those spaces?

For those of us who are not handicapped, and do not have to sit for several hours in a chair, and the only recourse is to lay in bed… it just doesn’t occur to us.   

And to simply be able to wheel the chair around without bumping into something (or someone), it just doesn’t dawn on us how hard that is.

We just do not think about something like this until it happens to you or to someone you know or love. 

And then when it does happen to someone you know or love, you learn pretty quickly about how difficult it is. 

That's when you start thinking about all those people out there that have absolutely no clue what this is all  about,  what the handicapped person is going through, about what his/her loved ones are going through and the person caring for him/her, what he/she is going through.  They have no clue.

Why do I know this?  It’s simple.  I am one of those people who had no clue.  My husband became disabled May 4, 2010, after he had lower lumbar surgery and has not been able to take care of himself since.  So, I’m his caregiver and the person who continues to love him and care for him.  And each day that passes, our love grows stronger. 

Getting Ready to go to a Wedding Today! Should be Fun!

Good Morning!  Today we have a wedding ceremony/reception to go to around 5pm. 

Got Wayne in the shower ...it's a struggle getting through the bathroom for him, past the toilet, to the tub.  The wheelchair is really too big and it nudges against the toilet.  I'm worried it will make the seal break from the toilet. I need to look for a transport (or smaller) wheelchair for him just for this purpose. 

I'll take my shower later.  Seems I'm always last.  BUT I did get to sleep in a bit more this morning.  Wayne got up in his wheelchair already and went out to the kitchen.  Our grandson Zachary made breakfast this morning:  Eggwich's he calls them ... english muffin with cooked sausage patty, fried egg and melted cheese.  He's a sweetheart.  He's only 11 but he loves to cook.  Here he is:

I'll be back to post some pictures from the wedding!

Do You Like Garage Sales Like I Do?

That is, the ones you go to, not the ones you have.  I absolutely HATE to have to have one but on occasion, it is a necessary evil!


It was a nice visit with my sister-in-law today.  We went to garage sales and then had lunch together.  It was nice to talk about everything going on!  Thanks Mick!  I enjoyed our time together today! 


I ended up buying TWO Clevercat litter boxes for $3 .. what a bargain that is!  They go for over $30 each!  Also, my son said they could be used as small hampers for our grandsons.  I didn't have THAT in mind but it isn't a bad idea AT ALL!  LOL


Also found a Halloween costume for my 8 year old grandson ... It's a NINJA... I'm sure he's going to love it!

the Love of My Life and BFF

Claire and Wayne

We celebrated our 41st anniversary in the hospital at rehab for Wayne.

Let me tell you a little about the love of my life.

I met him at "The Girls' City Club" in Providence, Rhode Island.  This is where military soldiers visited to meet up with girls.  Back then  there wasn't women in the military like there is now.  Anyway, I was an extremely shy young woman of 20 years.  So shy in fact, I was almost an introvert.  Wayne came to the Girls' City Club and we met.  He always wanted to dance with me and I had hardly any dances with other Navy guys.  I loved loved loved to dance!  My favorite band back then was the Beetles!  I also liked the Bee Gees, Herman's Hermits, as well as Bobby Vinton "I love how you love me" was my favorite song!

Wayne would follow me to the girl's bathroom where I would be hiding away from him!  My friend said to me one day "why don't you just go out with him and see if you like him?"; so I did.  And the rest is history.

Here we are today after 41 years, 4 kids later, and 8 grandchildren later!  We have 7 grandsons and 1 granddaughter, and 4 step-grandchildren!  We are blessed!

Getting back to my being shy... well, I have to say I am NOT shy anymore.  Wayne brought out in me something I don't think would have ever happened without him!  He is very outgoing and I was very not.  LOL  I can't say I am "outgoing" today but can say that I have no fear of talking to strangers like I did way back then. 

We have a strong love.  I always said he is good for me and I am good for him.  We complement each other!

When your life is turned totally upside down, it is hard to get it right-side up!

Another day in my husband's and my life, and of course my kids and grandkids as well.  It seems I have to do everything and my husband seems to think I'm superwoman or something!  The physical therapist came today and Wayne walked with the walker and did a little more than usual.  He's sleeping now.  He gets very tired when he gets a lot of exercise. 


I called a lawyer today and he said we need to get all of his medical records from the hospital, so we need to make a visit there.  I called and they said it will cost $.25cents a sheet.  I don't know how many sheets that will be.  Anyway, guess we'll take our chances and order them, maybe even tomorrow.  The lawyer is for worker's comp.  My husband claims he turned his foot in a troth at work and thinks that is how he ended up in the hospital with surgery on his spine.  Cauda Equina Syndrome is what he is diagnosed with.  He is wheelchair bound now and unable to work.  We are on a rollercoaster trying to get aid through the state, through Social Security Disability, through the Veterans Administration, and any other way possible.  Right now he has no medical insurance.  Oh yeah, forgot... we have medicaid, however, it has a deductible of $1804 month for him and again for me.  Crazy.  he has absolutely NO income now.  I get social security and a small $250 retirement plus we get child support for the 2 grandsons we are raising, and the whole thing totals about $1678 month. 

We are also going to talk to a lawyer about Social Security Disability... one thing at a time.  or more than one.  LOL  Whatever we can fit in!


I'm just having a pity party all by myself :(  I can't lean on my husband anymore.  He just isn't available to.  He tries though.  We have a very strong love and it is holding us up!


At least tomorrow I'm going to get to go to a few yard sales which I haven't done all summer long and love to do it.  My Sister-in-Law is coming with me.  It's my 'alone' time for tomorrow morning.  Yippee Mickey!!!!  After that I need to take my husband to the hospital to order those records and find him something to wear for a wedding we are going to on Saturday.  He can only wear jogging-type pants because he has a foley bag since he is incontinent in bladder and bowels.


If anyone out there is having similar experiences and can relate to my life, please do stop by and say hi.  Or if not, if you want to just drop by and say hi and tell me how your day was, then I welcome that as well!!!!  Always nice to make new friends!

September 11, 2010 a day of remembrance

When the two planes hit the towers in New York on 9/11/01, I was at home watching GMA.  In shock, I couldn't believe what I was hearing and seeing.  I changed channels and found all the channels were showing and saying the same thing.  From that point on, I continued to be glued to the TV news channels.  I had two sons in the U.S. Navy and both participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, one of whom is now in the marines.  I have the greatest respect for our American soldiers in Afghanistan and elsewhere protecting our freedom.  My prayers are with them and their families and all families who lost precious loved ones on that unbearable day.