I have reached out to the DC community of Kossacks earlier this week when I learned that I had no substantive help forthcoming to assist me in finding a home when I relocated for my new job on a limited budget, and with extensive and debilitating injuries from a recent auto accident. A couple of folks have responded, and I have done more digging and asking for help. Today I am off-site from my job with tasks I can do that are not time-sensitive, so I can spend the time to look at rentals and check out of my motel, and start the arduous task of relocating from a motel to a home. I have my fingers crossed. Follow me over the fold for an update, because chances are most readers missed this in the crush of health care reform debate and the Joementum monkey wrench in the works, not to mention Christmas.
I have learned the hard way that it is our social networks that help provide the safety nets that have been systematically torn down by the lack of investment in our social safety net infrastructure in the US, and the largest social network I belong to is the one that helped elect our president, Barack Obama. I have been active in both campaigning and in financial support of the Obama campaign to the maximum extent of my economic might, because I believe in social justice, and because I believe the time is overripe for reform. To this end I didn't hesitate.to contribute all I could, of time (which was very limited) and money (which I had more of than most during the past two years) to get progressives elected through ActBlue and through this site.
So I am reaching out to ask for help. I don't need money: I need a home. I applied for and am going to see a place in a safe neighborhood that requires very little up-front money and has all utilities and furnishings, and am meeting the owner this morning at 9. I have left a message for a local endocrinologist, and hope that thisisatest or clio gets back to me about some offer of help - I could use some transportation for my stuff (cabbing all of this over to Laurel could cost me $75 I'd rather save - I have two very large suitcases, two laptop computers, and a carry on bag, and I'll need help with grocery shopping when I get to my home. I still need an orthopedic doctor and a referral to physical therapist close enough to work to be feasible, and ideally, a new eval and immediate PT on my knees and chest for my auto accident - I had to cancel this week's PT in order to move and show up at the new job. I am quickly going to need new pain medication prescribed by an orthopedist, but I have my medical records, test results and MRI scan and interpretation in my hand. So George Pipiris, I'm looking at you and your retired dad the orthopedic surgeon, if he can help me with that and with hydrocortisone prescription - it does not have to be long-term since I have a referral to an endocrinologist who can take the heat for a regular refillable prescription. I won't be out of oxycodone till next week though, because I am tapering off as the severe pain gives way to normal old regular pain that I wouldn't medicate for. But I could REALLY use the medical statement for the Metro disabled half-price application!!
And as far as the money goes, my former roommate is good for a loan if I need one, but I have a $2,000 overdraft and still am clinging to about $600 in cash, I just bought a Smartrip card which I get expenses reimbursed for, and my lawyer confirmed he is submitting the detail I need to get $750 in lost wages under the no-fault, and reimbursement of out of pocket expenses at the rate of $200 per week as required by my doctor. I could, using that medical statement, also pay some of you folks for logistical and moving assistance this weekend and next week, and submit it as replacement costs - as long as I have a doctor's statement showing I remain unable to lift or bend, and unable to walk for more than short distances. Which gets me back to needing that orthopedist, George... :)
Things are shaping up. I am also meeting my brother, hopefully, either today or tomorrow, and he might show a glimmer of the compassion I showed him while we were siblings growing up, but it's hard to say what ten years of living in Bush's Washington have done for his conscience. I just dunno. And then there's his wife who for her own reasons, simply detests me. shrug they could have made my transition easy-peasy, if they had wanted to.
So anyone who has a car in Arlington area and who is willing to help me over this weekend to get to Oxon Hill Manor, I have an invite and would be glad to attend with you, anyone who can get me to my Sunday meeting in DC would be great help as well, and anyone who might help me shop for household items I'll need in my new home (fingers crossed) any time in the next three days, my hands are open to receive.
Thank you all for your good wishes, prayers, and for the three people who offered material help, please contact me directly: 360-201-7580, or via email if you can't talk on the phone for your job and tell me how and when to contact you. I will be out and about and doing the starbucks internet thing today while I do some coordination.
Onward, and upward.
Louise (aka the Turtle)
I don't know yet whether I'll need to buy furniture but if I need a bed and a desk I'll need to organize that as well.