I started a series several years ago about moving through the DHHS and SSA system as a queer, disabled, and poor person, at about the same time one of the first demographic studies was done on Daily Kos. I had no desire to criticize anyone or to gain anything; my series was meant to be strictly informational. Unfortunately, even with disclaimers, it was taken the wrong way, and I took a break from posting.
But I need to remember why I chose that tattoo when I was lucky enough to win a contest. You need to remember the happy things. Because while the little Prince went home, he didn’t leave his body behind. 🥀🐑💖
But now people are asking me questions, so I’ll try to answer a few of them, even though my situation has changed.
Before, while I technically had a case manager, they weren’t really a person I could go to for help. Now I have a case manager (CM) that is responsive and extremely helpful, as well as being deaf. He arranges ASL interpreters for my appointments and signs during our meetings. I’m learning more ASL, and finding out that with both ASL (even though I’m a beginner) plus lip-reading, I’m understanding a lot more of what goes on. I can’t even begin to explain what a help that is. He even helped fix an issue with my SNAP (food stamps) where they’d been under-paying me for a year. Eh, well, at least I’m down to 145lbs and holding. :)
My psychologist continues to be a great help in times of trouble. When I couldn’t make her appointment yesterday when my car battery finally bit the dust (yay cold) she let me know about 2 possible solutions and I was able to email those to my CM. I can’t wait to hear if they’re viable.
My present doctor team is great. We’re trying some different modalities to see if those help. Hormones affect collagen, who knew? So no more Mirana for me for a few months, and we’ll see how that works out.
I am currently homeless. I’m trying to get into a shelter, and that’s something that I will discuss with my CM tomorrow. Usually I wouldn’t be allowed to couch surf and keep my homeless status (and thus my place on the housing waiting lists), but that’s been waived due to circumstances. I’ve lived over a year without running water or central heat (I had a wood stove that couldn’t boil water, but it was something), but that latest deep-freeze in the Northeast made gravity flushing no longer feasible. I learned the hard way—plunging only made it worse, it brought up stuff from before the plug/frozen solid place/rupture. My biggest beef right now is with Spectrum/TW, who won’t give me my refund for this month’s now canceled service for 4-6 weeks. I really could have used that, but at least I’ll get it (they wanted to credit my account!).
My service dog Sally was bitten by a loose dog, but luckily it’s seemed to have healed without a vet visit. She’s getting her rabies shot next month, I’ll have them check her then. She’s thoroughly enjoying having friends to play with, and is great about sharing toys, so I’m not too worried about the psychological impact on her.
I do wish that I had a working computer. My 16gig used iPad was only ever meant to be for browsing and reading, but since my ex admitted to sabotaging my MacBook (liquid voided the warranty) I haven’t been able to afford to get it fixed. It still works, but I’m not using it until I can save up so that it doesn’t die. It’s limiting me, in being able to write or research or even get on certain government pages that require a ‘not-mobile’ device, but once I’m settled, I’m sure I can work something out. I just hope I can before this poor workhorse gives up the ghost! 😉
As for the others? I went to both the SSA office and a different than usual DHHS office. I had to officially change my first name in their systems. It was much less painful than I really expected it to be! I’ll be getting my new card in the mail soon (and I’ll fix my EBT card once I’d had a chance to shop—it shuts off when you’re waiting for the new one, and surprise, no car, and you have to do it in person). Next is the DMV (that costs, and is why I’m upset about the refund), and changing my name on my bills. Isn’t it great? 😁
So, that’s my current life. It could change at any moment, but right now I’m reveling in daily showers and sleeping through the night without having to wake up to stoke the stove, or hurt myself carrying wood and water. It’s a nice break until I either get into a shelter or move into my car (or an apartment miraculously opens up).
If it turns out people are interested in this as a series, I’ll go over my name change. That was interesting.