Bobby,

I have a way of bringing the best and worst out in people. Just ask my ex aka ... the Spawn!

Meg1, welcome back!!

Lisa, you have no idea what the Spawn did and continues to do to keep my son from me. One day, I will be able to share my 3 year horror story with PALS & CALS. I am still in court 1 to 2 times a month. Nightmare from HELL!

Jeff

Thanks, guys. Bobby, you made me laugh.

Meg

jeff you never offended me please dont think you did.
i was just hoping i did'ent offened you.
you have helped many here and hope you help many more here.
just you bringing up medicaid and getting people talking about it is a good thing.
pals need to know all of the in's and out's of this and more and your helping them.

im the cut, copy, paste man is all i can do.
trying to keep things going.

thank you
thanks everyone
pals4pals

Jeff,
I am certainly not offended..no apologies neccessary at all to me....to the contrary I think you are very wise to start exploring options beforehand..let others know you are seriously contemplating it..so you can make the most out of the resources you have...
Medicaid might not be the route go in your case..but often hospital social workers can go over options with you...look at your particular financial situation, particular insurance coverage and clauses, state asistance which varies largely based on the state you are in..
I know it is also very humbling to have to ask for help..but there may be people who will volunteer to do something for no charge..mow the lawn,shovel snow, run errrands once a week, learn to suction and just sit with you a few hours a day..people may feel comfortable doing some things and uncomfortable with other things .. but every little bit helps...if you can get a group of volunteers who wil specifically help with certain tasks...these kind of things may significantly defray the costs..
Every PALS situation is a little different..state assistance varies, as Medicaid is controlled individually state by state....but exploring early is a very smart move...getting cares in place..before you take the leap if you decide to vent..I think will be very wise...
As to "spawn" ..well I tend to rant too much as it is...I am sorry Jeff,,I can't imagine what your going through...but hang in there...your life is worthwhile..Lisa

Meg brings out an interesting point when she mentions that it wouldn't be fair to the taxpayer if the PALS was able to leave his estate to his children after taking Medicaid. This means that Medicaid in some circustances is somewhat a loan, although most likely a non-profit one.

The point is interesting because it highlights a divide in this country. Does the state and therefore the taxpayer have an obligation to take care of those who have been dealt devestating circumstances. ALS certainly qualifies for that. There are a range of opinions on that from "absolutely not" to "of course" and you can probably see those opinions shift as you cross from blue to red state.

It does boggle the mind that ALS research is so underspent. It boggles me as much though that so little help finanically is available to PALS. The arguement that the country "can't afford it" is really not accurate. The truth is that as a whole, it simply doesn't want to.