Thank you!

[TexasTowelie]

I only have a few minutes available to respond to all of the kind wishes, prayers, and good vibes that were sent in response to the thread that my sister started yesterday. I didn't realize how fond some of you were regarding my posts so a big hearty Texas thank you goes to all my friends on DU.

I'm getting first-hand experience with the joy and pleasure of navigating through the health care system for non-insured people in Texas. I've continually fallen through the cracks of the system for many reasons including some bad luck on timing issues when I applied for various types of assistance. Unfortunately the stress during all of those attempts eventually took a toll on me from a physical health and mental health perspective.

I am very satisfied by what my health care providers and social workers have done for me over the past couple of months. They are trying very hard to help, but they are hampered by the policies set by two decades of Republicans in the governor's chair.

I'm in the process of filing for SSI-disability as a backup plan so that I can retroactively retire. However, I would prefer to find full-time employment since I prefer to return back to my prior career field.

I don't know when I will be able to resume regular blogging on Texas politics and social matters, but the fact that so many people responded to the thread gives me a lot of strength to continue through my struggles. I miss you guys and gals and look forward to returning back to DU after the resolution of my health crisis.

A special set of kudos goes to my sister who is leaping over many hurdles to assist me during this time. She is also a great Democrat that moved to Georgia last year. Not only is she bright, but she is also beautiful inside and out so I've always had the utmost respect for her. I am a lucky Towelie!

Thanks once again for all the support--I'll catch up with you soon.

[hrmjustin]

1. Prayers ascending my friend.

[Siwsan]

2. I'm going to keep you in my thoughts! Best of luck and get back here SOON

And take care of yourself!

[madinmaryland]

3. Good to have you back!! Though, I always thought you

were a woman.

[TexasTowelie]

6. What!!!???

The last time I checked the veterinarian left all the parts there when I visited.

[El Supremo]

19. Don't worry, Maid in Maryland does that to everyone.

Glad that you're OK.

[TexasProgresive]

4. I'm glad you're in good hands

I'm sorry you and they have to put up with the sorry state of Texas Health Care. Get will soon. I for one rely on you to keep me up on things Texas.

[Downwinder]

5. In my experience it is SOP to be turned down the first

time through SSI in Texas. Texas likes to boast about their rejection rate. Keep after it.

SSI will reduce the stress level.

If you are on SSI and become eligible for early retirement Social Security they will boot you off SSi and you will lose Medicaid.

[TexasTowelie]

7. I'm not even close for early retirement.

If I had that option then the stress level would be greatly reduced. The major issue is getting a primary care provider to make that determination. It's been difficult since I've been at clinics for the indigent and moved around a bit over the last few months.

I have a friend in Florida and another in Texas that went through similar circumstances so I've received some great advice.

[Downwinder]

15. They sent me to four different doctors.

I carried my MRIs with me.

[DhhD]

33. TX Towelie glad to hear from you.

Hope this helps you.

DARS-Department of Aging and Rehabilitation Services can recommend to SS that you be moved to Medicare, temporarily. Then after a while, SS decides either that you need to move on to the Ticket to Work Program with SSI partial federal benefits and Medicare, or remain on Medicare with income benefits of a person that is totally unable to work.

Try to find out what disabling conditions would cause the state to say that they can not help you further due to your disabling condition or condition that needs rehabilitation. Get a DARS Counselor. They determine if your level of disability can be rehabilitate by the state or if you need to go on to the next step, the federal level. DARS may be able to get you some rehabilitation equipment if needed. Then this counselor will tell you about rehabilitation. If you are hospitalized, the hospital social services has to see that the State of Texas assigns you a Case Worker or a DARS contact ,if you request one while in the hospital's care. A case worker can initiate the DARS contact too.

SS wants a person to go through the State Health and Human Services first before moving to the US Health and Humans Services, Social Security Administration. It is a chain of command among rehabilitation specialist making the decisions that moves things along quickly. I think that just being indigent will not get your matter taken care of in a timely manner.

[DhhD]

34. I forgot this but you may already know. DARS counselors have to coordinate job interviews for you

with the Texas Workforce Commission. TWC would be finding out why you were not hired. Many people who are perceived to be too disabled to work are sent on to SS and Medicare. You have a right to request the findings of why you were rejected by an employer and what DARS is going to do about it! You can control your interview by revealing or not revealing your disability. Are you in pain? Need to go to the restroom a lot? Are you sad? Other true dehabilitating conditions; you need this or that to work that was not an issue with TWC or DARS but is very real and hurtful to you?

Going this route will prevent re-evaluations if you are young.

[Sister to TxTowelie]

8. Hang in there Sweetie.

Just checking in to see if you had gotten to a 'puter.

AC is being taken care of, by the way.

Maybe you should look for a political blogger's job. Or editor. Your work here on the underground was obviously much appreciated.

[TexasTowelie]

20. I forgot to tell you that I applied for a data analyst last summer with the state

Democratic party. It sounded like something I would have enjoyed.

[Half-Century Man]

23. Then use us (the DU)as your resume

Years worth of examples and hundreds of references...Win Win.

[Gothmog]

50. I know Will Haller and Glenn Maxey at the State Party

My SDEC representatives are on good terms with Haller and Maxey if you want me to see if I can help

[Live and Learn]

39. That is a great idea! nt

[flamin lib]

9. Take care, you are a true State treasure. nt

[Suich]

10. Glad to hear you're doing better!

See you soon!

[riqster]

11. Hang in there.

As long as we are above room temperature, we're still in the game!

[LoisB]

12. Continue to tend to your health, get better, and come back soon.

[calimary]

13. Great to hear from you, Texas Towelie!

And a big hug to your dear sister for keeping the rest of us informed about your state-of-affairs.

I hope you're back in better health SOON! We need you! Especially if we hope NOT to make it even MORE nauseating years of republi-CONS in the governor's chair!

[hermetic]

14. Great to hear from you!!

Hang in there. We're all pulling for you.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

16. the most important thing is to keep at it

.....and that's what friends are for. Help you get up when you're down!

[Gothmog]

17. Great to hear from you

Get well

[longship]

18. WooHoo! Glad to see you up and about.

Or as best as you can muster.

We all love you here and want you to heal well.

Our thoughts are heartfelt for your recovery.

Hugs help.


Best wishes, TT.

[japple]

21. Great to see your post. Best of luck to you in overcoming your current situation. And

tell your sister "BLESS YOU, BLESS YOU, BLESS YOU!!!!!!" for moving to Georgia and giving us one more good Democrat. I swear we will turn this state blue (with her help!) Peace out.

[Sister to TxTowelie]

28. I gotta say...

I Luuuuuvvvv Jaw-jah!

Beautiful, better funded than Texas, good schools, fantastic weather! Loads to do outside. I spent 9 months a year indoors in Texas. Love the mountains, rivers, parks here.

Things I miss: cheap beef, Ruby Red grapefruit from the Valley (deep south Tx), Pecos cantaloupe, bluebonnets and other wildflowers in spring, not paying sales tax on groceries, and Texas' super-duper highway system that gets you 60 miles in 60 minutes, vs 90 minutes here. But it's a good tradeoff for better schools.

Oh yeah, I've already done stuff like call my senators and reps, Deal's office, etc. when issues have come up. They always do the the opposite of what I ask! LOL. Same old shit as in TX!

[japple]

43. Hey Sister! My Dad was born in Bexar Co. and my Texas roots run very deep. We usually

go to Seguin every Spring hoping to be there in time for the bluebonnets. We didn't make it this year and I'm missing the pilgrimage to see our cousins. There is nothing more beautiful than the fields of wildflowers (esp. around Brenham, LaGrange, Bastrop). Dad was in the Texas Horse Cavalry and patrolled the Tex-Mexican border 1940-1942. His great, great grandfather was at the battle of San Jacinto and we found his name on the monument last year when we went through Houston area.

BTW, Kroger has been carrying the Ruby Red g'fruit from Texas this past year. I would also be missing Gebhardt chili powder, BBQ brisket and cheap avocados.

Many thanks for getting into the thick of things (politically speaking) and for helping us to turn GA blue. Guv. Deal is as bad as Rick Perry.

[Sister to TxTowelie]

44. Yeah, I bought the RR grapefruit last year, but

the harvest came early this year (January?) and I missed it. And I think there was only one truck carrying it that visited my usual Kroger's. The rest of it is FL or CA. Not the same.

Food, in general, is more expensive here, even before the sales tax.

[Cha]

22. Good News, Buddy!

[niyad]

24. good to see you here. will keep the healing vibes coming.

[libodem]

25. .

[WillyT]

26. You Hang In There TexasTowelie !!!

[TxDemChem]

27. So happy to hear from you.

I hope all is proceeding well. You bring so many smiles to everyone here. We can't wait until you are feeling much, much better.

[Divernan]

29. Good to hear your status, now re SSI disability,

I've just been going through this for a family member and I will PM you some info.

[freshwest]

30. You are very much missed! But do what you have to do for you. Hugs to sister, too! n/t

[sheshe2]

31. Great to see you!

Get well soon and a great debt of thanks to your sister for updating us!

Let's turn Texas Blue Blue Blue!

[rurallib]

32. thank you TT and best wishes once more.

[mbperrin]

35. Only my very best thoughts going out.

On all fronts.

Energy!

[cal04]

36. Glad to see you posting TexasTowelie

My thoughts are with you.

[Ferretherder]

37. Waiting with bated breath...

...for your return!

[Rhiannon12866]

38. How wonderful to see you back!

Thanks to your sister for her thoughtful post and to you for taking the time to check in with us! If you ever wondered how you were perceived on DU, I think you know now how much you were missed... Hang in there and take care of yourself. DU is always in your corner...

[Live and Learn]

40. So great to hear from you.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and a new and loved career.

[Skittles]

41. you get well, TexasTowelie

you have a lot of fans on DU

[PDittie]

42. Glad you're feeling better.

Get well soon (in spite of the GOP)

[DinahMoeHum]

45. We're all pulling for you.

You "rest your oars" and take good care of yourself, ya hear?

[TBF]

46. I appreciate all the posts you do on TX -

hope you get to feeling better soon!

[rhett o rick]

47. My best to you and family. nm

[trocar]

48. stay strong, best wishes

[greatlaurel]

49. Glad you are on the mend. Best Wishes.

Take care of yourself. Good luck. Keep us posted on how your are doing. Thanks to your sister, too. Hang in there. We are all pulling for you.