I have a wonderful girlfriend, but she's half a world away.
I just spent twenty minutes standing and crying in the living room in frustration at the pile of shit my life has become.
I really have no idea what to do now and it scares me.
The only reason I'm not still in the hospital is not having health insurance. If I had it, they would have kept me at least another week, but more if I had no one to help take care of me at home -- but I have neither insurance nor anyone to care for me.
I can't do anything for myself, and when I couldn't even get the bottle of my medicine open... I lost it. I just stood there and cried.
Today I have eaten half a bowl of beans, a couple slices of cheese and summer sausage, about 10 ritz crackers. It took me half an hour to get the cheese, crackers, and sausage this afternoon... and 45 minutes to get the beans heated tonight.
It just seems that the only people who care if I live or die are in no position to help me.
Comments
A Good Friend Once Said
Over the years I developed a friendship with a philanthropist named Percy Ross.
Percy had his problems, like all human beings, but his heart was at least five times too big.
In addition to doling out $millions through his newspaper column, Percy also was free with sage advice. His newspaper column invited people to write in for help. He always gave them something, although not always what they wanted. Sometimes he gave them a stern talking to, which they obviously needed.
He told me that the biggest problem most people have is not asking for help when they need it. According to him people naturally want to help each other and will if they see a need and understand what it is that the person wants.
You have many friends here who don't know how to help you. Maybe you have some ideas.
Money always can be used, so I'm sending $50 to you via Erin.
Does anyone else have ideas how to help Edeyn?
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Social Services help?
I'm so sorry, Edeyn, for the fix you're in and how you feel. I'm not sure how I'd cope in a similar situation.
As Angela said, ask for help.
I know in many places there is a local social services agency that can offer temporary assistance with a variety of problems. Things they might be able to offer would be:
â— A home aide could come in once a day for an hour or so to help with things like bathing, dressing, and getting your day's medications out for you to take.
â— Have a "meals on wheels" service come by each day with a couple of prepared meals.
Things like that can be a life saver for someone who is homebound with a disability (temporary or not).
The services may be on a "pay according to your ability" basis, so they may cost little or nothing, depending on your circumstances.
Kris
Reality is a nice concept - but it doesn't hold up to close examination.
Kris
{I leave a trail of Kudos as I browse the site. Be careful where you step!}
Social care
As Kris said, don't be afraid to give your local social care team a call - they're not just there to help the elderly!
To quote from my council's website: "Adult Social Care helps people who need extra support to live as independently as possible." I help support and maintain their social care database, and know they support adults as young as 18 (i.e. as soon as they leave the responsibility of the childrens teams). They are trained professionals and are there to make your life easier - so give them a ring!
It doesn't matter that your arm is only going to be out of action for six weeks (or however long it takes to heal) - they can set up a support package now and set up a review in a few weeks time. At the very least, get assessed and see what they can offer - you're not signing your soul away so you don't need to commit to anything on the spot.
In the meantime, don't stress yourself out - just stick to simple meals, and know that although we can't be with you in person, we all sympathise and wish you the best.
--Ben
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!