I don't know where to turn.

By alaskanwoodsman

2 min read

I'm rick, I'm 61 I've had copd for four years well much longer really. I'm about at the end of my rope, i just don't know what to do anymore. I'm at stage 3 severe and I'm sure there are many worse off than me but it seems like the system is trying to get rid of me and those like me, my problem is this, I've applied for social security disability and I've been turned down once reapplied, went to thier Dr did all they asked and I'm waiting for the determination, no word.

My current sitution

You see I haven't been able to work since before the pandemic began, i have zero income no savings no assets except the house i live in that belongs to me and my 2 sisters which will have to be sold soon. Its march, im in Alaska so its cold my power got shut off for non payment I've tried every government agency that I could find to get help im on Medicare so that's not an issue but every time I try to get some help the door gets slammed in my face I've had to sleep on friends couches because I don't have heat or electricity and that lasts about a week then i have to move because they don't want the responsibility or they think I'm going to die or some other excuse. I can't count on family i feel like the world is against me, I'm basically homeless with no income and no hope for any.

Trying to find help

I have a lawyer for SSI disability, but he wont help me, he wants to stretch it out as long as possible so he will make more, my friends are getting tired of putting up with me and paying for the electricity i use for the oxygen machine i need and giving me a ride to Dr appointments because I don't have a car anymore. Everywhere i turn i get blocked by bureaucratic red tape, lack of money or something else, it's hard for a poor person to stay alive let alone break even or get ahead. Every waking hour im working to do what it takes for me to stay alive and that takes all my time.

Frustration

People say they want to help but when it comes down to it they don't want to put forth the effort or the expense. All my life I've tried to help others, showing kindness and generosity, it seems that today peoples morals have changed and they would rather kick a man when hes down. Today i had bread and some water no oxygen because there is no place to plug it in. I hate the thought of having to go to the rescue mission I've always been able to take care of myself, I know that there are programs that can help and I've tried on line to apply for them and I just get the runaround and have to start all over, im beyond frustrated, i don't want to give up hope but i can't see a light at the end of the tunnel, im open for suggestions! I have to get back at it I've spent to much time on this, i need to chop wood for the fire to keep warm tonight. Let me make this clear im not looking for sympathy, im just looking for a way out of this situation.

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
<inline-mention username="alaskanwoodsman" user-id="2465297"/> Hi alaskanwoodsman - my heart goes out to you! You do have some tale to tell and we all appreciate your candor in sharing it here. I wish I had something to advise you with for the predicament you have found yourself in. At this point, I am sorry, I don't even know how to answer you! I would think there is some level of social services that should be available to you in the state of Alaska. I am completely unfamiliar with that part of the country. What do you plan to do next? Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
alaskanwoodsman Member
thank you for your reply. i'm going to keep at it I guess, I was hoping for a sugestion that might help but i understand this isn't the right place for it . another dead end.i'm learing that to recive free services, first you need money. thanks anyway. 
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 <inline-mention username="alaskanwoodsman" user-id="2465297"/> That sounds like the way to go next - keep at it! And, if you don't mind, please check back and let us know how you are doing, moving forward. Warm regards, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>) 
2. whirledpeas Member
 <inline-mention username="alaskanwoodsman" user-id="2465297"/> Hello! Look below at the suggestions from Janet Plank. Some very good ideas, all free. I know you hate the idea of social services, but that is where the help is. I don't know Alaska, but I know they must have places you can get food and some help. It sounds like you have always worked and managed your own life, so this is an unfamiliar spot, and not a good one, right now. Make a couple calls, and I believe you will find some answers. Praying for good results for you.
Baz392 Member
 Hi alaskanwoodsman, I live in Australia so I can't give you much advice about navigating your own governments hurdles however, as I have gone through a similar story myself and have come out the other side, after seven or eight years, you may find some things I have experienced helpful. I don't know whether you have any clues as to the cause of your condition but I knew that my own had been caused by coating sprays which I had worked with. It took me two years of online research to obtain enough evidence to prove to physicians that they had contained engineered silica nanoparticles so that they no longer questioned my condition. I assume that the US is similar to Australia in having way too many people try to fake their health issues in order to receive support and compensation which they don't deserve. The result is that those of us who really do have severe health issues are forced to suffer even more, with intense scrutiny of the veracity of our conditions. Proof, these days, is everything. Proving the effect of my own respiratory failure came down to linking the resulting hypoxemia, with a ton of medical research, to the myopathy related autoimmune antibodies (PL-7) which I test positive for. I am now preparing for my own legal cases against both my local hospital, which misdiagnosed my condition and denied me support, and my previous employer so there can be positive outcomes if you succeed in gathering sufficient evidence. This linked article details the need to gather as much evidence as you can of your condition for application for disability to be accepted; https://www.findlaw.com/socialsecurity/disability/how-to-prove-disability.html I wish you all the best.
Blackmirror Member
Look up at the sky and wave your fist. I find it helps 🌈
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 <inline-mention username="Blackmirror" user-id="4497523"/> Hi Blackmirror - thanks for the tip / suggestion - I like that one myself!! Regards, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
eat2017 Member
 <inline-mention username="alaskanwoodsman" user-id="2465297"/> <inline-mention username="alaskanwoodsman" user-id="2465297"/> I was wondering if you have been able to secure some help? I found this link for help with electric https://health.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/hap/default.aspx#:~:text=Program%20Basics,meet%20all%20other%20eligibility%20criteria. I assume you are already aware of the PFD. You stated you had Medicare or where you referring to Medicaid? Have you applied for Medicaid? (Alaska Medical Assistance is comprised of Medicaid, Denali KidCare (DKC), and Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance (CAMA), If you are eligible (not sure about house exemption), it will allow you to be eligible for many other assistances for help. Like the help with electricity. It does seem that social security always denies the first application. They did me too and I’ve heard the same from many. But, I can assure you that COPD is a covered disability. You can look it up, they list covered diseases/disorders somewhere within the website. Like another member on here said, listing any and all health issues with main one also helps. Because, they look at how all medical issues combined affect your daily life. I sure hate that you have to give up a portion of the lump sum you will receive when approved to the attorney. It is especially frustrating that you feel he’s not doing anything. For me, personally, I’d fire him and do it myself. But that’s me and I’m not suggesting that. I know you are frustrated and likely mentally exhausted from the efforts of trying to navigate government help. I have found that same thing. Lots of places say they do this and that but ultimately pass the buck onto another agency or find one of the many ways you are ineligible. I hear you, you must feel like no one is hearing your shouts, no one cares. Do you feel like shouting? Go ahead and shout, get the frustrations out! I do think a visit to the social services DHSS where you can adequately explain your situation in entirety to them would really help. I pray you get a really caring social worker that’s willing to dig for the best possible help for you. Do you have a neighbor that’s willing to let you plug in for awhile with the promise of reimbursement for amount of bill raised? My dad has lost power and found that neighbors were the best thing for help. Unfortunately, more so than family sometimes (been there). If you were my neighbor I sure would. But not everyone has a big heart. Desperate times call for desperate measures and this IS about keeping you alive. You need that oxygen for a reason! These are my suggestions, take from it what you will. If you have a next door app perhaps a call out for help chopping wood since I can’t imagine that’s a easy task with oxygen never mind without it. You are very brave for reaching out on here and I hope you can continue being courageous with the suggestions from other members here. Idea* Start a go fund me or similar using the story how you described it in this post. I’m sending big heart angels and helping energies your way.