It’s dismal enough now, I hate to think about what may be ahead…
… as the time runs out, the bank account dries up, and I get sicker and in more pain from having to do way more than my current body seems to be able to!
I am back and forth about what I’d like to keep up on this blog with regards to my disability and what I want to keep locked. I already feel so abused by “the system” that I worry about what will happen next. But an update is due…
Here’s a basic snapshot of my current situation:
- Since my complete benefit cut-off in May, I’ve now missed out on about $4K of income that I should have been receiving. That’s on top of reimbursements for expenses related to my disability. I don’t have enough funding to justify continuing any of my treatments, including the aquafit class I did for 6 months.
- I applied for the Ontario Disability Support Program’s employment supports in May – I still haven’t been accepted. And that program is to get help finding some type of job that I could possibly try, not even to get any income replacement!!
- I did check with the “financial support” (welfare) side of ODSP though finally, and sure enough our family income is too high for me to qualify.
- I’ve had many calls from workplaces and recruiting agencies since updating my CV. I’ve even applied to a couple postings that mentioned flexible hours. None would be possible – even if I did make it past the first few weeks I’d either be fired or have to quit.
- I’ve been chasing after my lawyer with no luck reaching her. This is the new lawyer since the old one told me after 3 months that he had a conflict and was dropping me. The whole idea of a “save my house” settlement seems soooo far away right now!
- I’ve been chasing after the car accident insurance for info about the type of doctor they would allow to do a rebuttal exam on me and they’ve stonewalled me. It’s now passed the deadline when I could submit the appeal.
- We’ve saved money by having the kids either home with me or with family members but a) it sucks! and b) my parents go back overseas after the summer’s over so Avery is here full-time… how can I possibly look after this busy little guy when I can’t take him outside?!
Needless to say, I’m still miserable and on my way to being broke and miserable.
And my headaches have gotten worse, especially since stopping my migraine meds (I should really go and get a refill but it’s expensive and also I don’t want to go for an MRI like I know I’ll be sent for because it freakin’ hurts so much…)
For now, here’s a copy of the most recent letter to car accident insurance people… and really, if you’re reading it, think about the people who don’t have a university degree and writing/typing skills! How the hell do they fight back against all these bureaucratic nightmares?!
Please note my change of address and contact information. Please also note I am still waiting for reimbursement for medical expenses incured prior to the date of wrongful termination of benefits.
Please find enclosed:
* Claim Statements showing 80% of costs covered for walker rental and pain medications.
I received your letter about the Rehabilitation benefits but I don’t think it meets the requirements of the Ontario Disability Support Program. ODSP basically need to have something in writing that confirms State Farm is no longer helping me so that they can perhaps help me. How do I apply for Rehabilitation benefits so that I can send them a copy of the rejection letter? I have tried to find information and forms on the State Farm website with no success, even after going through the trouble of registering for an online account. The State Farm server keeps timing out on me or saying my policies aren’t “internet enabled”.
I have received no response with regards to the improper conduct on the part of the vocational and transport services that State Farm is using in Ottawa. The information I provided in a recent letter about the false information has also degraded these companies from being simply “disorganized” to actually being quite unethical and unreliable. I would also like to add that in addition to their flawed account of my physical condition and misrepresentation of things I said during the examinations, the tests themselves were contaminated by the unethical behaviour of the staff. In one case, when I made a mistake in assembling something (perhaps due to an impaired sense of concentration experienced regularly due to pain meds), an occupational therapist stepped in to redo the task for me! An investigation is warranted here.
I continue to advise my friends, family members, and online networks about State Farm’s conduct in my case and warn them against investing in insurance from this responsibility-avoiding company.
C.C. to my lawyer
July 31 2009 09:06 pm | family and future / dreams / goals and hill to haven and pain / disability
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:02 am
Hey there! I will definitely note what you wrote about State Farm… I used to use them for insurance on my car when another company decided I had to buy the whole package deal (life, home & car) just to get auto insurance, and I wasn’t about to do that! Man! I hope I can find another company for auto insurance when I get a car!
Any recommendations?
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:03 am
And HUGS! Take care of yourself and fingers crossed that you find something or something finds you in the way of paying work!
*hugs*