my name is Diane, I was born March 2, 1959;on July 5th 2006 after having angina for a week i was told after visiting the ER that i needed a triple bi-pass; on February 10, 2007 i was in the hospital again and for angina again, apparently one of the arteries never bloomed or opened up, so the other two were doing all the work for the heart, after living with the angina which flared more so during my daily walks my cardiologist suggested i get a stint placed, he said it would take care of the angina; against my better judgment i agreed and on September 30-2009 the angioplasty was done and i was put on Plavix; not only did it not take care of the angina but two days later on October 2, 2009 i had a massive hemorrhagic brain bleed a stroke. I was in an induced coma for two weeks, and when i woke up i was devastated to say the least my entire life turned upside down and I’d just been hired for a new job a week prior to the stroke i was even at work when it happened. After the long term care facility released me the end of October 2010 I’ve been doing a lot of research to find out where i can turn to for financial assistance for medical procedures, treatments , etc. like stem cell or http://www.bioness.com/Home.php
The products at the link above, to help me walk and use my arm; I wouldn't be so desperate but I’m too young to not be working; my father is 75 and still works a full time job. I'm positive that the job i was working when i had my stroke would hire me back if i wasn't partially disabled, I'd worked for the Manager at a different company in 2005. I just want my life back to go back to work to walk on my own, i don't want to have my family take care of me I’m only 52, I have a good 10 + years to work; the state’s Medicaid and all the USAs were cut so i can't even get the items at bioness which are about $15.00, 000, my savings are gone and who’s going to give someone a loan that doesn't have a job? I don't want to settle, I want to get better be independent again.
I sure hope and pray you can truly help I'd be eternally grateful.
Respectfully yours,
361 visits
stroke treatment assistance
Hello, So sorry to hear about all you've been through and what you continue to endure ... I can relate to your situation and emotions around your ongoing circumstances both physically and financially, and it's certainly no walk in the park. I wish there was an easy answer, not to mention more solutions provided here, but unfortunately most everyone on this site are struggling to survive. There are a few occassional exceptions, but they are few and far between, and only seem to be lessing with time and with the increase of scamming activity .. which is truly disheartening considering there are many people who desperately need help, are good and honest people. I am not sure where to refer you for assistance with medical related issues aside from the typical places like Medicaid and Medicare ... and obviously, as you know, those programs are seeing some serious cuts in funding and services. I assume you receive SSDI? And therefore Medicare? Do you also receive Medicaid to supplement Medicare? Have you spoken with your doctor and the medical clinic/hopsital and system you go to about financial assistance? Typically you can apply and qualify for assistance on a sliding scale fee if you fall into the income guidelines. Also, have you contacted the companies which provide the various services to see if they provide said services and products, etc., at low or no cost? For example, a patient can receive free (expensive) drugs from the drug company if their income fits the guidelines, and from what you've shared I would certainly think you would qualify. There are also some docs and hospitals and medical companies which offer pro-bono, but you have to pursue them, be persistent and continue moving up the chain with every "no" you may get as a result of your requests. Not easy nor fun, especially when you already feel so miserable and exhausted, but sadly, a part of jumping thru the hoops in our messed up system. I have included a link to financial assistance ideas and resources, and while most probably won't be helpful for your situation, I am thinking that a few may offer a place to start in order to bring you to real assistance. I do apologize if I am being repeativitive with things you already know or have tried, but I wanted to cover the bases, and since I've not communicated with you before, I am not sure of all you've done and your entire situation. I, too, am in an icky situation regarding getting assistance for my medical/health needs, so if nothing else, I can certainly relate and be a sounding board and support if you so desire. I need intravenous medication each month for my auto immune diseases (which are also connected to, and affect my spine condition) and the cost is beyond outrageous: $2600 for a month supply. It took over 4 years to get my auto immune diagnoses, and now, with the cost issue, I still have yet to start the new drug regime, which was supposed to begin in April. It's beyond frustrating, as I have been pretty sick for some time and the longer it goes unchecked and untreated the more permanent and scary damage results ... damage which could eventually kill me, and on another note, is affecting my spine condition and creating additional problems. I certainly understand not wanting to settle, as we all deserve to get the best help and be healthy and have a decent life, period, no matter our financial circumstance. Frankly I don't know how people who even make a good living can afford this stuff, ... I guess that's why so many people have to file for bankruptcy as a result of severe chronic health problems/disability/illness. I really hope something does fall into place for you, as you deserve to have your life back, and in every sense of the word ... chronic health issues don't only steal our "health" - so to speak - but they affect nearly every, if not all, aspects of our lives, ... we feel robbed of both our lives and body, tremendous loss for so many things (relationships - for lack of understanding - careers, family, future plans, etc), we are devastated financially and emotionally, .. we are left in a position which is really not "living," but much more so, simply "surviving" ... and as you know, that's just the tip of the iceberg. I haven't been able to work in over 5 years and it's been really hard to deal with, ... so much feels wasted, and I am so angry about it, yet who do you direct that anger at, you know. I know there is some greater purpose, direction, not to mention many many lessons that I am supposed to take and use right now and in the future .. and some days I am at peace with it and feel positive, then other days, not so much. Well, enough of my babbling on .. I am sorry if I bored you. Besides the link to ideas for financial assistance (I am thinking if you could get help with others things like rent, utilities, etc., that you would then have more money left to direct towards your medical needs, at least that's my train of thought with the first link - also, a few places may have resource, or at least ideas, and some direction for additional medical related assistance, which is less easy to find at first .. one thing often leads to another once you're asking the questions, sharing your story and in the systems), the second is a general and basic directory of member's here whom all have a wealth of resource info and links on their pages, and lastly, another site which seems to be a hit or miss, but I think is most definitely worth a look and try for anyone in need. Oh, and I will also include a link to one of my blogspot pages, which is about chronic illness and disability journey and related subject matter .. it's always nice to know that someone else struggles with similar things, can truly relate, has no judgement, but does have compassion and empathy, at least that's always been my feeling. Those who don't struggle like this, they simply don't get it, and never will unless they too find themselves in a similar pair of shoes. Again, if you want to talk or anything, please feel free to message me anytime. I would love to hear more, and I would be happy to try and brain storm ideas with you ... I would really suggest applying for financial assistance within your various medical systems and doc offices if you haven't already, or recently. Keep pounding down those doors, as eventually, we become to loud and irritating not to listen to! :) I'd be really interested to hear your disability status with the type, and if you get Medicare or can apply, etc., as well. Of course, if you're not comfortable with sharing your info and stories with me, I completely understand that too, so no worries either way. Okay, sooo, here are the various links (on the first page link, do take a look at both of the sites for 211.org and modestneeds.org., all the info is there for you to see, and my other page on blogspot regarding financial assistance - like the one here - has more info and resource links) ...
With all that said, I hope this message finds you in a little less pain and with some hope on the horizon. I wish I could do more, or provide some easy, quick and wonderful solutions. Maybe something in this message will be of help to you, maybe not, but do know that if you need a friend or someone just to hear you, I am here pretty much every day. You deserve good things. Please continue fighting to get your life back, ... stay as positive as possible (I know, not so easy) and be persistent, but also try to take good care of yourself and always listen to your body. Things will fall into place, maybe just not in the way you would anticipate. Well, I've talked your ear off .. and will say goodbye for now. Blessings to you, Cat
Aidpage Link:
The basics for getting help ... where to begin searching and applying for financial assistance
Additional Related Link (May provide a bit more info & direction):
Basics for Getting Financial Assistance
Advocating for Health (My blog about chronic illness/disability):
Directory Link for Member's Here (whom may have some helpful resources to pursue):
Directory for Members/Pages which list links for Financial Assistance/Resources on Aidpage
Lastly, the Link which is worth giving a shot!: I'm Giving Away Free Money :)
