Crisis signal boost: Foals Errand's mother has a medical/mechanical Kerfuffle. · 3:37pm Nov 8th, 2022
As in 'when you've recently lost a leg, it's hard to get around on your own'. Something which makes caregivers with a working car into an absolute necessity.
Foals Errand is her mother's caregiver. The car is no longer working.
The full details are in Foals Errand's blog.
I had years of desperately trying to keep a car running and legal and affordable, because it was the only way to get my mother to all of the appointments. Hospitals. Visit her when the hospitals got involved, and then at the physical rehabilitation centers after. Having to rely on Uber and ambulances just to get anywhere... that's a problem. Being without a working vehicle for more than a few days would have been fiscal death. Even in those few areas with roughly-functional mass transit, a missing limb and medical issues makes it hard to catch the right bus.
And caregivers need to stick together. So I'm signal-boosting.
As always, it's your decision as to whether you wish to help, along with whether you can afford to do so -- especially when the holidays are getting close, and there's so many payment-demanding wolves at the door. But if you want to pitch in...
The GoFundMe drive can be found here. FE also has a PayPal receiving address: it's LoveKiyone@aol.com. (I'll update this with a direct PayPalMe link should I receive one -- ETA: and here it is: a direct PayPal link for FE's spouse.) There is a Ko-Fi jar, but I'm encouraging everyone to treat it as an absolute last resort: anything sent that way loses fees. Still, if there's no other means available for you, the Ko-Fi can be found here.
This would also be a good time to peek at her story catalog. It's a silly thing, but a new reader in a time of crisis can be a small comfort.
Thank you for listening, and please feel free to echo her blog if you so desire.
Always someone worse off than you...
I can attest that disabled life without a vehicle in an area without very good public transport is beyond difficult.
I see what you did here...
I got hit by a car December 31, 2020. A great many broken bones resulted. Medicare will pay for 120 days hospital care. After that they WILL throw you out the door unless a doctor says in writing "If we do that, you will be dead before your body hits the sidewalk.". I *THINK* they can't do that (IDK for sure). If they say that, they will shove you in a Hell hole until you die. I lost 40 lbs by their scales in 120 days.
You are bedridden & have nowhere to go? "Tough shit" sums up the GOP attitude. Sit on the sidewalk long enough & the cops will stick you in a jail until you die. At least you will be out of the sun & in AC in over 100 degree heat (& you can thank Obama you get that much.) You think I'm lying? Google "tent city" & Joe Arpaio.
So, yes, Foal's Errand is in a tough place & IMO it will be worse next year when the GOP controls Congress.
I live without a car, so some possibly useful advice.
It's possible that you qualify for food stamps. It depends on your monthly net income. Doesn't hurt to check.
Medicare is more complicated than you think. You've got parts A,B,C & D. You automatically get part A. You have to apply for the others. Each pays for different stuff. I think it's part D that pays for free transport to doctors & hospitals, etc. Talk to your insurance provider to see which you qualify for & what's available locally. This is the free enrollment period so do this before December 7.
There is a government program that will provide for $30/month internet & phone service for seniors. Talk to your phone company about this to see if you qualify.
Cricket has a $30 a month plan. Unlimited talk & text but only 2GB of Hi Speed internet. However, they don't cut you off when you hit your limit they just give you unlimited slow data. This means your phone is free if you qualify.
Walmart Prime+ gives free delivery on all orders for a small monthly fee. The local Walmart is pretty good about delivering when scheduled & it's a car trip you don't have to take + often better selection & prices than local stores. If you're ordering fresh produce it's important to order as early in the day as possible before the good stuff is gone (Hazard of ordering stuff unseen. ) They don't take food stamps.
Amazon also has good prices & pioneered free delivery. The local Amazon & I don't get on well so I don't know much about it.