|
MesaFoxx: I wanted to reply to you separately. I don't have fibro, but I have systemic lupus, malar lupus (on the face) and now lupus in my eyes, plus other disabilies. Lupus and fibro are both cruel masters with pain so know that I care and want you to not give up. There is help out there, but it is not advertised help. --First thing to do when anyone becomes disabled and loses their income is find out the income levels for HUD Section 8 from your local city housing office. If you are now below that level, get in there immediately to apply for HUD Section 8 assistance. It can take a year, two years or longer for this to come through, but disabled people are given "more points" in your community and put higher on the waiting list. But HUD Section 8 assistance can make a real difference, so get in there and apply right away. --As soon as your long term disability ends, call the main office of your city/town and ask for your Community Services Department. Once you get someone in that Department, ask for an appointment to come in for services. Through many of these Departments you can apply for welfare, Medicaid, food stamps, and even get some one time help for natural gas and electric. Ask them for the application for the reduced price phone service from Quest. --Contact your natural gas and electric companies and explain you are disabled and poor and ask them for their forms to apply for a reduction in what you pay each month. Most utilities will do this BUT you have to provide them with proof of what you are getting and some require bank account statements too. --The City's Community Services Department can also put you in touch with the food bank where you may be able to buy food at reduced rates. --The Catholic Charities in our area works with the City's Community Services to pay the one time ultilies help and they arrive with 6 bags full of groceries to help. --If you need medical appliances (such as wheelchairs, etc.), ask the City's Community Services as they may direct you to the local Senior Center which many times is the repository for lending these out. Plus other organizations do lend them out all at no charge. Electric scooters/power chairs are not easy to get, but always ask and if the person doesn't know ask them for a suggestion as to where you could call. That sort of "networking" could get you what you need. --Find out if their are any disabled groups or fibro groups meeting in your area (many borrow space and meet at the Senior Centers). They become a wealth of info for resources in your area. There is a disabled group in my area and we're always learning something new. --Independent Living Centers (ILCs) are throughout the U.S. and you can find one closest to you here http://www.ilusa.com/links/ilcenters.htm Once you are approved by them, you can attend their events and classes and they do crafts, learn cooking skills and other things that can be helpful to the disabled. Pain is a cruel master and it can take away your skills to cook as you once did, but an ILC can help you learn how to work around that to use tools that would be helpful to someone with hurting joints. Also, it helps you from isolating with pain, depression and gets you out with others who can suffer from what you do and many other disabilities. One of the dangers is that chronic pain can cause depression and isolation. --This is just what I can think of now, but this is a good start for you. Good luck. Post edited by: Suz, at: 02/14/2008 12:48 A good rule of life is do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup |
"For me MDJunction means I am no longer home alone all day. It means having friends who not only understand me but care for me as well. I am grateful to MDJunction for creating a world where I fit in just perfectly." (Yvonne802)
