It's been a while I know. But figured I would stop by and say hello. Been thinking about everyone a great deal and I hope everyone is doing better than me. I plug along each day and hope for the best. Hey at least I wake up in the mornings. At this point I could not ask for anything more I see there are alot of new folks here and I say you could not be at a better place when it comes to friends helping you deal with this monster.

I won't be able to come on as much as I use to or be able to type as much as I use to because I do not have the strength or the ability to sit up for long. But I will do my best. I have just about every syndrome you can think of at this point and it is beaten me up pretty hard. Still no disability as of yet. Haven't worked now for ever and times are so tough.

I went to my local Transitional Living Office recently for help (Welfare) to see if they could help me with at least food stamps or something. Heck I crawl in there with a walker ready to keel over and the lady keeps questioning me about the legitimacy of my request. I finally asked her to just come right out with it. The fact was she really didin't believe me since i was not on disability yet. I told her to contact my attorney if she had any questions or my doctor for that matter. She said it was not her place to prove anything that it was my responsibility. The B**ch! So she did complete my request but I am not expecting anything believe me.

I guess I will close for now. I want everyone to take really good care!!!

Chin UP!!!!! Mark

we sure do miss you mark. think and pray about you often. i wish that ole goober would just go away.


you just gotta pop in and post some one liners. keep that cute mug of yours around to brighten our days.

take care of you sweety. sad thing...i bet that b**ch isn't that last one your encounter. they have no hope though..tall handsome man..just smile.

Oh, Mark.

I am so sorry to hear all of this. I think that it is awful that it takes SSD so long to come through. It really seems that they try to force folks into losing everything, and getting so down trodden that it IS an accomplishment just to get up in the mornings. I know...I have been there and done that, too.

As far as the Foodstamp Office...well...let me tell you that ******'s behavior is par for the course. Those people in there are supposed to be helpful, but instead the vast majority of them look down their noses at the people that they are supposidly there trying to help. And, talk about discrimination! If you go in there looking half way decent, they act like you are lying about everything and treat you that much worse. I know, because I have been there and done that too...more times then I like to count and think about.

Some tips about dealing with them are; make sure to bring ALL of your documentation when you go. If you had to set up an appointment to talk to that person, then they should have told you the things that they needed/wanted you to bring. Here, you have to have an appointment before you talk to anyone, I think for that very reason. If you DID NOT have an appointment then they should have a time for you to come back with whatever documentation/proof that they need from you. If they DON'T have, or get, you set up for some type of appointment and your request for help is denied, then GO BACK and try again.

Whenever you go back there though, be sure to bring something from your attorney saying that you have filed for SSD and have been trying to get it for so long. You might bring something from one of your docs saying that in his opinion you ARE disabled and can't work. Bring those things along with whatever other proof/documentation that they want. At least this ....person....gave you a "head's up" (although in not such a nice way), as to what you will need to bring next time you go to that office.

One thing that she said that is making me go "hmmmmmm?" is the "it isn't her place to prove anything". Well....it IS her place (or someone's in there) to verify your information. That means making some phone calls. I am thinking that making a phone call to your attorney and/or doc would fall under that category? She just sounds like one of the worse case workers in the aid offices. I know that it is hard, and it can be very trying to have to deal with these people, but please try to not let it get to you too badly. If someone is very rude or REALLY ****** you off, you can always ask to talk to a supervisor (I have done that...more than a couple of times). Sometimes that helps to straighten up who ever is acting the butt. Sometimes not. But what you have to try to do is realize that this is just how lots of folks are treated when they go and ask for help.....and that getting really angry about it will only wind up costing you more then those people are worth. It really isn't worth it to get so aggravated, upset, mad, sad, whatever and have any of your health problems get into a flare. NO ONE is worth that. You know?

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I understand some of what you are going through. I know that I have not been around much for a while (although I kinda have...just doing a lot of lurking), but I am trying to get back in the swing of things around here again. So, if you need a shoulder, just give a yell! I am here, ready and waiting. I agree with Curious, and think that you should try to at least put a one liner up every now and then (once a week?), to let us know that you are still out there. And, to NOT have you get in the habit of isolating yourself.....because that is a DEPRESSION thing, and you don't need that. So, let us help you get pulled back up, and dusted off, and ready to fight the good fight some more. Ok?

I think that maybe it is time for another Trip...dont you? Our last one just kinda got abandoned. Maybe we can try again, and see if we get any of the other "Oldies" out of the wood work to come and play with us? I mean, who can resist you in your grass skirt and cocoanut bra?? ROFL! Seriously though...I do wanna play, and such a trip just wouldn't be right without you on board.

Ok...I am letting this get way too long again (I am trying to be better about that....although it is very hard for me, and doesn't seem to be working so well at the moment. ROFL), so I am going to wind this up here. Please don't sit there all alone. TALK to us, because we are here, and we love you and care about you! Ok?

Lots of Love and
Jose

Jose is so right about all that mark. Just remember bro your not really alone in all of this, we share those kinds of experiences even though we are miles from one another, and im sure there are others in similiar problems.

Jose it wouldnt even be right unless you had a long post

Man that trip was sooo fun, really had a good time on that one, laughter does a body good lol. Those images running through the ole gray matter got me ROFL!

That sounds like a tough situation - remember Ada called or wrote her legislator, senator or some gov official and did get help that way.
It's worth a try.....

Am thinking of you

Hey Mark,


Very good to hear from you, thanks for the update - Jose hit it all on the nail, as usual....love ya LOTS! Take care,

all the best

Mark, Sorry to read you are having such a tough time. Don't know if this will help you, but there is a wonderful food program Angel Food Ministries that once a month you can order food for cents on the dollar. This is a program across the USA. Go to their web site and type in you area of the country to see if your town belongs to this program. Some places will deliver if you are unable to pick up. You do not have to prove need and the food is good. Usually the churches in the area are the ones you contact, some put booklets in with the food, if you are not interested in their belief system drop it in th trash. Also if there are any Mom and Pop restaurants in you area call and see what they do with their leftovers. Where I live the community has a program where the food is gathered from the restaurants, plated and frozen. People can pick up so many meals a week. In the USA no one should go hungry or be maded to feel belitted because of need. For every Bitc* you will find many more angels---you just have to know where to look. Take Care, CARose

That's me patting you all on the back and hugging you all for being there for me once again. What would I do without you??????????? I ask myself that question all the time. Whenever I feel the chips are down and I do mean down there is always you guys ready to help.

I never thought all my life growing up in what I guess could be defined as a upper middle class family, would I find myself worrying about such things as my next meal or wondering where I would be living. Now it hasn't quite gotten to that point yet, however I am not so arrogant in assuming that it could not happen tomorrow. And just when I think there are all the agencies out there ready and waiting to offer a helping hand - WRONG!!! They may be in fact out there, but they are not waiting to help me.

But I have decided after I wrote to you all this morning I took a breather and than I called my attorney (disability that is) and pretty much dumped it in her lap. Well considering she is going to get paid and I'm sure she won't be cheap for her services when all is said and done she was more than willing to help. She is going to contact the witch tomorrow and set up a appointment for me and than she is going with me.

I figure if I can just keep my mind clear of negative clutter than the rest is candy! I can handle the physical pain. But when someone plays with my mental state I have issues with that. I am so short fused these days with people who take advantage of the disabled. Bring em on!! Anyway, that's about it for now. Please everyone take really good care of yourselves and i as always am thinking of you!!!!

Chin Up!!! Mark xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Kool sounds like a no nonsence atty things will be better
Sandra

Hey Mark

Big hug - gets!!!! Sounds like life is really kicking you in the teeth right now. I totally agree - in some ways the being taken advantage of and being treated like you are STUPID for being disabled does not change culture wide. Good old UK is full of the impression - cripple = stupid instead of modern society = stupid.

Really hope things get sorted for you!!! Sounds like taking the attorney with you would be great - they might listen then. Are you living with your family now? I remeber you saying something about it. If not then are there are community programs that could help you with day to day stuff (if you are living alone - it just sounds like you are struggling to manage stuff at the moment). In the UK it is possible for some people in some areas to have community volunteers help with simple stuff like basic meals, shopping, tidying etc. just a thought. Are you not eligible for welfare?

is it me or is this US system a TOTAL farce??? When I lived in CA our neighbour had quadraplegia - and we worked out I recieved a higher amount of benefit from the UK system than he did! and that was with me using a wheelchair but not needing 24 hour care. TOTALLY bizzare!

Anyway - sorry to digress

Just wanted to say that I hope things improve soon and sending you tons of love

Froggsyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx