First, the good news: my car simply had a bad oil seal, and was fixed (complete with oil change) for under $100. I was lucky in the transmission issue, and a fuse change fixed it. :) So I’m back with a working car. That’s a big relief, and I’ve taken two days away from the Shelter, one with company (and Sally got spoilt rotten!), one where I just had a day of mostly solitude (besides watching Avengers: Endgame, which was well worth it). Besides that, I tied Sally to the car with a long-line and let her be a dog and sat and read in the sun, very restful and needed for this introvert.
Communication is still a major issue here at the Shelter. Disability Rights Maine has taken the case. I believe the upper staff at the Shelter thinks that if they ignore the issue, it will go away: that if they leave me staked out at low tide with a short rope and argue about what to do about me, that they’re not guilty of the consequences when the tide comes in. This isn’t how the ADA works, but I’m a bit constrained now in what details I can give. But it’s being worked on now.
I don’t have copies (I’m going to ask for them this afternoon), but I’m told that my BRAP application has been sent in, so that’s promising. BRAP is open right now, and even though it will take up 50% of my income, it will be housing that I choose (and utilities included). I qualify, so hopefully it will be quick, and I can be out of here.
I’m not usually a vindictive person, but I plan on continuing to pursue the matter with DRM, even if I find housing in the next week. I don’t want this or anything similar to happen to anyone else who comes to the Shelter. That’s the issue DRM has had in the past—once people are out, they don’t want to deal with it anymore, so the Shelter just keeps getting away with their discrimination. They have 5 years of files...I’m hardly the first. It makes me sad.
I’ve taken some steps that DRM has approved of to make life more bearable, and because of that my stress level is a bit lower. Staff here wasn’t happy, but nothing I did was illegal or immoral, just ways to enhance communication and lower the chances of misunderstandings. I had to spend my own money for some things they were unwilling to even print signs for, but it was well-worth it.
I’m tired and getting sick again, but that’s the way of things around lots of other people! I’m also mostly packed in case they decide to kick me out without warning. They’d have no cause, but I believe in being prepared.
I’m going to try to make a trip to my PO Box before I meet with my Navigator for housing matters this afternoon—I have paperwork from Shalom House waiting (yay for USPS emailing me the contents of my mail!). My new license may be there, too. Wish me luck!