tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908642181059119409.post5608061040739357280..comments2023-09-13T19:50:32.843-05:00Comments on this mare eats oats: wanted: a hole to crawl intomjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09141031502595666446noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908642181059119409.post-84154680149371534012011-03-26T20:12:24.710-05:002011-03-26T20:12:24.710-05:00The fact that you are asking yourself if you would...The fact that you are asking yourself if you would be taking advantage of the system is the first clue that you would NOT be. Those that really do advantage do not ask, do not think, they just do. I promise, I work with many many many who take advantage of many systems and this sounds like the farthest example FROM. :)Portershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458335189100136764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908642181059119409.post-41895001817329346432011-03-19T11:55:37.073-05:002011-03-19T11:55:37.073-05:00In answer to the questions you asked at the end......In answer to the questions you asked at the end....yes, yes, yes, yes! <br />Yes, people abuse the system. They will answer for it sooner or later. Only thing we can do is report it if we see it.<br />The fact that you are worrying and hesistant to accept assistance just goes to show YOU ARE exactly the ones who deserve it. <br />We have medical assistance for Jordyn and I don't feel ONE bit guilty using it. I never have. We have gotten life changing equipment that we never could have gotten ourselves. I cannot tell you how much it eases my stress, not worrying about medical bills. <br />I don't know how much money you make, but extremely shocked you are questioning getting the communication device. Maybe diapers, etc aren't a big deal to pay for. But a communication device that could be life changing? And a special needs stroller? I would be filling out that paperwork so fast. <br />I hope this hasn't been to forward... I just have a strong opinion about it! haha You pay taxes. You KNOW you aren't going to abuse or take advantage of the system. I just feel SO blessed that the government even has a program that helps us so much. Isn't that just incredible? What a relief in our lives.... now we can stop worrying about money/medical bills and start worrying about caring for our children and taking care of them in the absolute BEST way they deserve. And those programs make that possible!Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02605270888186687653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908642181059119409.post-22214402132928569262011-03-18T13:15:33.827-05:002011-03-18T13:15:33.827-05:00I hear ya, and I felt similar at the beginning. ...I hear ya, and I felt similar at the beginning. especially about diapers. but I was encouraged by the regional center to request them be paid for. and Im so glad we did b/c every little bit helps. <br />I feel like if its there we might as well take it-thats why the help is there-because we have needs. they really arent just wants. respite is so important to us. to be able to get away for some fun as a couple is invaluable. and we dont get the entire bill paid either-we pay some of it ourselves. Same with the ABA. Reg Center only pays a little over half. And we would never be able to even think about a communication device with out MediCal. Still not sure if they will fund 100%, but its looking good. I like Bridgets idea-pay for what you can afford and ask for help with the rest. it is overwhelming. big hugs.Ericahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17851509745425295624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908642181059119409.post-87520542651362900352011-03-17T21:20:36.096-05:002011-03-17T21:20:36.096-05:00i agree with whit... you are in need, you are cont...i agree with whit... you are in need, you are contributing members of society, you are not taking advantage of the system. i also agree with what the others said about paying what you can and letting medical take over the rest. <br /><br />i am sorry that everything is so overwhelming. just reading this makes me overwhelmed and i'm not the one who has to take care of it all. prayers and good thoughts being sent your way!Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04815700401389316035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908642181059119409.post-75906701269415579292011-03-17T20:59:59.899-05:002011-03-17T20:59:59.899-05:00There are so many things that are a necessity with...There are so many things that are a necessity with our girls - seating, mobility, communication and they are all truly necessities at which point it's not a matter of should we get them it's how are we going to get them. Many times there are 2 prices for things, you could ask if there is an out of pocket price and it may be much less than what they would charge the insurance company. For us we look at the price, if we can handle it we buy it ourselves, if it's out of reach we go through insurance - our computer went through insurance the $16,000 was not even an option for us, but the $3,000 in stands that we needed to go along with the computer we picked up (with the help of family). In addition anything that insurance pays for when it's out grown we do not sell it, we donate it or give it to a family who can use it (like Annie's walker, it's too small so we passed it on to another family) - it's not fair to make money on something you didn't pay out of pocket for. It's a balancing act but I totally agree with you about only taking what you need, i've known people who are actually making money by abusing the system - which is why health care is such a mess today. <br />Good Luck, you'll do the right thing! HugsThe MacDonald Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12121715561800745719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908642181059119409.post-79624230353226394262011-03-17T20:19:55.231-05:002011-03-17T20:19:55.231-05:00it sounds to me like you have an need for these th...it sounds to me like you have an need for these things and you CAN'T pay for them... i.e. "don't have a spare $12,500 hanging around." maren, there are definitely people that take advantage of our government, but in this case you are not one of those people. maybe look into keeping your private insurance as your primary insurance and medical as your secondary... that way you're at least contributing what you can and then the leftover expenses you just can't come up with by yourself will be paid for by medical. <br /><br />one other thought, what about a loan for the the computer?whitneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07740190416691718489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908642181059119409.post-17037250808005138222011-03-17T20:17:28.370-05:002011-03-17T20:17:28.370-05:00It is a hard question to ask. It comes down to ab...It is a hard question to ask. It comes down to absolute necessity for us though. We figured out that our family lives on roughly the same equivalent that it takes to keep my daughter rolling along.<br /><br />That's not even factoring in that when we got our wheelchair we had to buy our own new transportation, or every time she loses a skill, that means new adaptive equipment that isn't covered. From seating, to eating (four completely different stages with different equipment that isn't covered)<br /><br />The truth is that our girls become more expensive the more their necessities are neglected. I would definitely classify communication as a necessity, and I do. (we've just prioritized, and it's down the list a ways for now)<br /><br />See, there can be huge behavioral problems, not to mention psychological effects like anxiety and depression in the future. This makes our children more expensive to teach in a school. MOre than they already are.<br /><br />It makes it more difficult to maintain a quality of life for my baby girl after she graduates out of the school system.<br /><br />Pray about it.<br /><br />You'll feel better once you have someone backing you up 100% that you believe in too. My thoughts are with you!JourneyBeyondSurvivalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03701594704460907630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908642181059119409.post-13200353898016404832011-03-17T18:44:08.144-05:002011-03-17T18:44:08.144-05:00I don't know much about it all, but I say anyt...I don't know much about it all, but I say anything that would allow her to communicate with people is an absolute necessity. You know everyone you know would be willing to contribute... Or at least I hope you know that.Mollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12849397081573242118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908642181059119409.post-22010712304572040952011-03-17T17:02:27.084-05:002011-03-17T17:02:27.084-05:00In Utah, there's a place called the Utah Assis...In Utah, there's a place called the Utah Assistive Technology center. They own tons of equipment and check it out to individuals to try. Sort of a try it before you buy it type thing. Maybe Cali has an assistive technology center too?<br /><br />I'm so sorry you're overwhelmed. Hugs to you from us!caroleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09309445095616851117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908642181059119409.post-22033748204082633872011-03-17T16:35:58.256-05:002011-03-17T16:35:58.256-05:00I'm sure you are praying about this, so my onl...I'm sure you are praying about this, so my only other advice/opinion is to think about how you felt about paying for part of it. I'm sure the government agency wouldn't mind you paying for part of it, or at least making a donation. I agree that we shouldn't take advantage of government programs, but if there is a short term need/you are doing everything you can to be self-sufficent, it's ok to use them. Would you say no to a Pell Grant in college or a new home grant? those things are pretty automatic if you qualify & fill out a fafsa or filed taxes including your house, you bought during the time they were offering them. (well,for the people who bought houses during that time)Rob and Marseillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13723166385445493627noreply@blogger.com