[PegMeerkatz]

Some of you may have read about my "interesting" (?) trip to the mobility dealer last Monday. Besides the multiple screw ups of the day due to MS Cognitive problems I was having trouble with my hand controlled van. When I needed to pick up speed (getting on the highway, while driving on the highway, etc.) it seemed to be "losing power"; it just WAS NOT picking up. Before I went home that Monday I stopped at my mechanic (I have used him for about 2 years so he knows my circumstances). He was busy but checked a couple things he said that it needed an oil change (not too much over the mileage when it was due) & he was going to check the gas filter. He also noticed the ABS light was lit & he wanted to put it on the computer again. This light has been "broken" since a week after I got the van it OFTEN comes on for a period & then goes off & MOST of the time NOTHING is wrong with the brakes. I WOULD NOT have money until Friday so he gave me an appointment (of sorts) on Friday. He said "bring it in on Friday between 10 am & 11 am".

I had a really bad week with the MS & in general (numerous computer problems) so from the time I got home on Monday until time to go to the mechanic on Friday I DID NOT leave the house. Friday morning I went to leave for the mechanic & had a hard time getting the car to start. It finally started but seemed like it took an unusually long time to "warm up". On the way to the parkway it was still hestitating but much more signifcantly than on Monday. I no sooner got on the parkway when a "light" came on. I AM NOT mechanically inclined when it comes to autos & anything beyond gas & oil perplexes me. I got to the mechanic & YES he was busy but that IS NOT unusual.

I showed Paul the light & he seemed perplexed but said "it is probably an emissions light or something I would not worry about it". I said since there was one more thing for him to check could he do me a favor & do what he did the last time I came in for service which was take me a few blocks away to the "STAPLES shopping center" (there are many stores there & I could get something to eat). The whole time I am talking Paul is shaking his head. I finally said "what's wrong - you can't take me to Staples?" he said that he was so busy he COULD NOT take me at all & I should call him on Monday to make an appointment for "sometime next week".

I was pretty angry, I have a standing appointment with my psychologist in Woodbury (a long way from home) on Saturday & on Sunday I was supposed to be going to an MS Conference & taking the van. He non chalantly shrugged his shoulders & said there was nothing he could do.

I explained to Paul how long it took me to get ready & mentioned a fact he already knew; I live off Exit 10 & then some on the Meadowbrook (or Wantagh) & he is at Exit 1 on the Meadowbrook I wanted to know why he had me travel all that way & go thru all that effort for NOTHING, again he shrugged his shoulders & said there was NOTHING he could do. He then repeated again that I should call him on Monday for an appointment next week.

When I got home I told mom what happened & she said not to worry because she could take me where I needed to go on the weekend. This WAS a solution but NOT a good one has she has a small car which is not only hard to my walker in but VERY HARD for me to get in & out of. Saturday morning my mom came in my room & asked the time of my psychologists appointment, I told her 2 pm. She said she COULD NOT take me because this was her week to go to the beauty parlor & she would not be home in time for me to go. I was really ******.

I needed some personal care items & other things from the store so AFTER mom left for the beauty parlor I decided to go run my errands & go to the psychologist; lately he seems to be the only one who really listens to me.

I got to Woodbury with NO PROBLEM, well nothing unusual it was still hesitating & the unknown light & ABS lights were on. I took the Wantagh home which has less traffic & requires me to go through Jones Beach; I NEEDED a quiet ride. I no sooner left Woodbury when the unknown light started "blinking" - well there was NOTHING I could do. I need to get off EXIT 10 POINT LOOKOUT, I was about 3/4 of a mile from the Exit when the car made a god-awful noise & died; I steered it as best I could off the highway but not far enough off where I could safely get out of the van.

First thing I did was CALL MOM but she did not answer, called a few minutes later NO ANSWER. I COULD NOT find any of my phone numbers, could not get to my walker in the back seat & because I have not had my cell phone long I DID NOT put anyone's # in the phone. I FINALLY called AAA. I explained the circumstances. THEY ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO TOW ON THE PARKWAY.

At this point I AM TIRED & I AM STRESSED I COULD NOT even remember my new cell phone number when asked. The man at AAA called the authorized tow for the parkway before he did it he told me they would charge me between $250 & $300 depending on the size of the van & I could give them a credit card or debit card. I explained that I had $1.15 in cash with me & DID NOT have my debit card with me because there was LESS THAN $2.00 in my account. He kept me on hold while he tried to call my mom NO ANSWER. He checked with his supervisor & said they would tow my van in & hold it for "collaterol" until someone came with payment; AAA would reimburse. This was fine. When he connected me to the towing operator she was fine, spoke nicely to the AAA operator as he relayed the information. Then the AAA operator left the conversation & it was just the tow company & I. TALK ABOUT JECKELL & HYDE. She started questioning me about money & how I was going to pay etc. then she REFUSED to come pick up the van until SOMEONE GAVE THEM PAYMENT. But who? I was getting more upset. I finally told her to be quiet a minute. I then explained I had a walker & Service Dog, I said I walk very, very slow but I would get out & start walking on the highway if she DID NOT send a tow truck. Her response was "do what you have to do".

I DID NOT start walking I call "911" who connected me to HIGHWAY PATROL. A really nice officer responded & after my story said THEY WOULD TOW MY VAN. He got on the phone in his car, knew the supervisors name & gave them a piece of his mind; he told them it was a violation of their contract with the county to refuse to tow someone for lack of funds. The tow truck arrived in minutes. The officer then took whatever I needed out of my van & put it in his patrol car & after assuring the van WAS being towed he took me home.

Now AAA WILL reimburse for the towing to people that picked the van up but NOT to tow me elsewhere to have it repaired so either I HAVE TO allow this company to repair it or pay out of pocket (reimburse mom when I get my check) & take it elsewhere - but where? NOT TO PAUL.

The questions are - do I just let the tow place repair it even though I do not know them?

Do I call the mobility dealer & see if he knows of a mechanic & tow it there?

And what about Paul? Should I call him? Send him a letter? Call his boss, who I also know or send him a letter? Do I also call or write to MOBILE who owns the shop Paul works in?

BTW, I found the car manual while I was waiting for HIGHWAY PATROL & took it home with me - the light I SHOULD NOT worry about (according to Paul) was the CHECK ENGINE light & when it comes on it NEEDS TO CHECKED IMMEDIATELY & when it starts "FLASHING" like it did on the Parkway it says to PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY because THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

This is the ONLY VEHICLE I can drive because of the hand controls & other adaptations I CANNOT afford a new one so what do I do with this one?

[Victor H]

You should have the van towed to the nearest certified dealer (one that has a service department). They should be able to arange a ride home for you while they check the van completely.

You may just have an emissions control valve issue (very inexpensive), or maybe your timing belt has streatched and has to be replaced. Only the certified mechanic will know for sure.

-Vic

[Judy2]

Oh my......what a horrible day you had PM. I'm sure you must have been exhausted and totally stressed out!

I don't have any suggestions but think Vic's solution sounds good. Just wanted to give you some (((((PM))))). Hopefully everything will get straightened out within a couple days and the problem with your van will be small and not too expensive. Take care.....

[Dejibo]

how scary!

I agree with Vic, have them tow it to the nearest "authorized" dealer to repair what ails it. Yes, I would write a letter to pauls boss, that to leave a handicapped woman stranded was unacceptable behevior and you are hoping he will make it right. (perhaps you can get some free services for your trouble) As for mom not answering her cell, perhaps she was under the dryer and couldnt hear it, or perhaps she was stressed and refusing to even look at the screen to see who it was.

Please continue to see your therapist and ask for some coping skills to deal with dismissive folks. You deserved better treatment from many directions. I am glad you called 911.

[Kitty]

I think many businesses are being more cautious now....especially with everyone being so "sue-happy" these days. They're probably looking at their own liability in terms of giving you a ride to a shopping center and leaving you there. If it's not a service they provide for everyone they're most likely looking at it from a legal standpoint. I don't think they're trying to be "difficult"....they're just trying to run a business.

[NurseNancy]

hi peg,

i tried reading your post but my eyes are having trouble with the small type.
could you try enlarging it a bit?

looking forward to answering you more.

[SallyC]

Originally Posted by NurseNancy

hi peg,

i tried reading your post but my eyes are having trouble with the small type.
could you try enlarging it a bit?

looking forward to answering you more.

I wrote this to Erin but it would work for you too. I find it quite helpful...no matter where I go, I read with my set fonts and size......

I have my pc set on my own font in it's own size. Just go to you tools then options, then accessibility and Hit the 2 buttons that say "ignore all fonts and sizes then go to fonts and set your own fonts and sizes.

That way, no matter what website or person typing will not change the font or size you've set

[PegMeerkatz]

What would you do?
Some of you may have read about my "interesting" (?) trip to the mobility dealer last Monday. Besides the multiple screw ups of the day due to MS Cognitive problems I was having trouble with my hand controlled van. When I needed to pick up speed (getting on the highway, while driving on the highway, etc.) it seemed to be "losing power"; it just WAS NOT picking up. Before I went home that Monday I stopped at my mechanic (I have used him for about 2 years so he knows my circumstances). He was busy but checked a couple things he said that it needed an oil change (not too much over the mileage when it was due) & he was going to check the gas filter. He also noticed the ABS light was lit & he wanted to put it on the computer again. This light has been "broken" since a week after I got the van it OFTEN comes on for a period & then goes off & MOST of the time NOTHING is wrong with the brakes. I WOULD NOT have money until Friday so he gave me an appointment (of sorts) on Friday. He said "bring it in on Friday between 10 am & 11 am".

I had a really bad week with the MS & in general (numerous computer problems) so from the time I got home on Monday until time to go to the mechanic on Friday I DID NOT leave the house. Friday morning I went to leave for the mechanic & had a hard time getting the car to start. It finally started but seemed like it took an unusually long time to "warm up". On the way to the parkway it was still hestitating but much more signifcantly than on Monday. I no sooner got on the parkway when a "light" came on. I AM NOT mechanically inclined when it comes to autos & anything beyond gas & oil perplexes me. I got to the mechanic & YES he was busy but that IS NOT unusual.

I showed Paul the light & he seemed perplexed but said "it is probably an emissions light or something I would not worry about it". I said since there was one more thing for him to check could he do me a favor & do what he did the last time I came in for service which was take me a few blocks away to the "STAPLES shopping center" (there are many stores there & I could get something to eat). The whole time I am talking Paul is shaking his head. I finally said "what's wrong - you can't take me to Staples?" he said that he was so busy he COULD NOT take me at all & I should call him on Monday to make an appointment for "sometime next week".

I was pretty angry, I have a standing appointment with my psychologist in Woodbury (a long way from home) on Saturday & on Sunday I was supposed to be going to an MS Conference & taking the van. He non chalantly shrugged his shoulders & said there was nothing he could do.

I explained to Paul how long it took me to get ready & mentioned a fact he already knew; I live off Exit 10 & then some on the Meadowbrook (or Wantagh) & he is at Exit 1 on the Meadowbrook I wanted to know why he had me travel all that way & go thru all that effort for NOTHING, again he shrugged his shoulders & said there was NOTHING he could do. He then repeated again that I should call him on Monday for an appointment next week.

When I got home I told mom what happened & she said not to worry because she could take me where I needed to go on the weekend. This WAS a solution but NOT a good one has she has a small car which is not only hard to my walker in but VERY HARD for me to get in & out of. Saturday morning my mom came in my room & asked the time of my psychologists appointment, I told her 2 pm. She said she COULD NOT take me because this was her week to go to the beauty parlor & she would not be home in time for me to go. I was really ******.

I needed some personal care items & other things from the store so AFTER mom left for the beauty parlor I decided to go run my errands & go to the psychologist; lately he seems to be the only one who really listens to me.

I got to Woodbury with NO PROBLEM, well nothing unusual it was still hesitating & the unknown light & ABS lights were on. I took the Wantagh home which has less traffic & requires me to go through Jones Beach; I NEEDED a quiet ride. I no sooner left Woodbury when the unknown light started "blinking" - well there was NOTHING I could do. I need to get off EXIT 10 POINT LOOKOUT, I was about 3/4 of a mile from the Exit when the car made a god-awful noise & died; I steered it as best I could off the highway but not far enough off where I could safely get out of the van.

First thing I did was CALL MOM but she did not answer, called a few minutes later NO ANSWER. I COULD NOT find any of my phone numbers, could not get to my walker in the back seat & because I have not had my cell phone long I DID NOT put anyone's # in the phone. I FINALLY called AAA. I explained the circumstances. THEY ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO TOW ON THE PARKWAY.

At this point I AM TIRED & I AM STRESSED I COULD NOT even remember my new cell phone number when asked. The man at AAA called the authorized tow for the parkway before he did it he told me they would charge me between $250 & $300 depending on the size of the van & I could give them a credit card or debit card. I explained that I had $1.15 in cash with me & DID NOT have my debit card with me because there was LESS THAN $2.00 in my account. He kept me on hold while he tried to call my mom NO ANSWER. He checked with his supervisor & said they would tow my van in & hold it for "collaterol" until someone came with payment; AAA would reimburse. This was fine. When he connected me to the towing operator she was fine, spoke nicely to the AAA operator as he relayed the information. Then the AAA operator left the conversation & it was just the tow company & I. TALK ABOUT JECKELL & HYDE. She started questioning me about money & how I was going to pay etc. then she REFUSED to come pick up the van until SOMEONE GAVE THEM PAYMENT. But who? I was getting more upset. I finally told her to be quiet a minute. I then explained I had a walker & Service Dog, I said I walk very, very slow but I would get out & start walking on the highway if she DID NOT send a tow truck. Her response was "do what you have to do".

I DID NOT start walking I call "911" who connected me to HIGHWAY PATROL. A really nice officer responded & after my story said THEY WOULD TOW MY VAN. He got on the phone in his car, knew the supervisors name & gave them a piece of his mind; he told them it was a violation of their contract with the county to refuse to tow someone for lack of funds. The tow truck arrived in minutes. The officer then took whatever I needed out of my van & put it in his patrol car & after assuring the van WAS being towed he took me home.

Now AAA WILL reimburse for the towing to people that picked the van up but NOT to tow me elsewhere to have it repaired so either I HAVE TO allow this company to repair it or pay out of pocket (reimburse mom when I get my check) & take it elsewhere - but where? NOT TO PAUL.

The questions are - do I just let the tow place repair it even though I do not know them?

Do I call the mobility dealer & see if he knows of a mechanic & tow it there?

And what about Paul? Should I call him? Send him a letter? Call his boss, who I also know or send him a letter? Do I also call or write to MOBILE who owns the shop Paul works in?

BTW, I found the car manual while I was waiting for HIGHWAY PATROL & took it home with me - the light I SHOULD NOT worry about (according to Paul) was the CHECK ENGINE light & when it comes on it NEEDS TO CHECKED IMMEDIATELY & when it starts "FLASHING" like it did on the Parkway it says to PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY because THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

This is the ONLY VEHICLE I can drive because of the hand controls & other adaptations I CANNOT afford a new one so what do I do with this one?
__________________
"OUR LIVES BEGIN TO END, THE DAY WE BECOME SILENT ABOUT THINGS THAT MATTER"