Change Finally Makes and Appearance
Wednesday, 23 July 2014
I've had a lot goin' on lately, a good thing. I heard from EPALS, the advocacy group under contract to University Hospitals to assist patients with social services.
They called following up on my application for Medicaid back in March during my week long visit at Bedford Medical Center for my Congestive Heart Failure. to see if County Services ever contacted me.
No, no one from the county has contacted me, since I applied for Food Stamps back in the first week of April. They were disappointed, but not surprised. I even relayed how rude and antagonistic the staff and supervisor were on my several personal visits to county services to try and see my case worker, Mrs. Denise Coleman-Barnes.
Again, they were not surprised, just saddened that I was being ignored by the very social services staffed by so called "Public Servants", whose profession is to help those in need at tax Payer Expense.
So, after Monday's check of my PO Box @ Bedford Post Office showed no letters from the county, I showed up again at the Southgate County Service Center, took a number and waited. Just short of an hour later, and after about 10 people failed to answer when their numbers were called, I spoke with a very expressionless lady who asked what I wanted. I explained that I had applied and reapplied, but that when I called the 866 number for information over the weekend, I was informed that I was not in the system!
She had me enter my SSN, and said I was indeed in the system, but that I was denied because I failed to show for my appointment.
I said I never received an appointment. And I mentioned the failed attempt to reach me at my old address, and that I had reapplied after that. She had some difficulty translating or navigating the computer files on my case, but said she couldn't understand why I had not been contacted at all. I explained how I was berated for not having a mailing address and she assented that one was necessary for them to communicate with clients, but then I also reminded her that immediately after that exchange with the supervisor about my being homeless and not having a mailing address, that I had checked daily for 6 weeks and still no mail from the county.
She was shocked! She thanked me for my patience, and I thanked her for saying so. That elicited a smile on her part, and I thanked her for smiling as well! (Something rarely seen at that place!)
I turned in yet another application for SNAP benefits (Ohio Federal Food Stamp Card or EBT) and was called right away to another desk where I was given an actual appointment for my case worker!
The next lady asked me if I wanted a phone appointment or a face to face. I asked which was more efficient to get benefits, and she said I would be seen within 15 minutes of a scheduled in person appointment. So now I have a face to face appointment with Mrs. Coleman-Barnes on Thursday, the 24th @ 1400! Only 4 months after I applied for emergency 24 hour benefits that the questionnaire I filled out, said I was eligible for!
And this lady apologized for the failure of the system to assist me, as she said she didn't understand why I was never contacted, and why they were rude to me.
I left with the printed confirmation of my appointment, and headed back to meet Denny to share the news.
He was not at the truck, so I retrieved my computer bag (a new one courtesy of my sister, with backpack straps), and headed up to the Get-Go to enjoy the A/C on a hot day.
Denny came by a few hours later, and we discussed Welfare/EBT, etc... , (he is still in limbo, he was approved the 8th of this month, but has no mailing address, so his card has been sent to several offices, and finally was returned to the place in Texas where it was made! I had him give them my phone# and PO Box as contact points, but still no mail for either of us!) I stayed on at Get -Go reading my web comics, but Denny went back to his truck and went to sleep. I joined him about 2330.
It was indeed a full weekend, as my sister, Sandra, drove in from VA Sunday and we had dinner @ Applebee's before heading to her hotel in Beachwood where I took a long hot shower and washed my incredibly long hair for the first time in 10 weeks!
The next morning (after sleeping horizontal in a full sized bed with 4 pillows and a blanket); we enjoyed a full complimentary breakfast of sausage, scrambled eggs, waffles, and oatmeal; we tried some of the local barber shops, only to find 3 of them closed. We finally went on to Best Cuts in Mayfield Heights, where I had my long mop cut and my beard tamed! I will add the before and after pictures here after I receive them from Sandra.
From there we went to Richmond Town Center (The former Richmond Mall, remodeled with a new Macy's added to the existing Sears and J.C. Penney anchor Department Stores) where she bought me a new cotton polo shirt @ the Penney's.
We strolled the mall for a bit, as we were to meet our brother, Jonathan, at my mother's Alzheimer Facility across the street at 1200.
We met him at the security door, and after a 15 minute wait while my mother used the bathroom, we all drove to Yours Truly for a very nice lunch with my mother and all 3 of her children.
Sadly, though my mother is healthy and putting on weight, she thinks that my dad and her parents are still alive and that she is a 20 year old nursing student at Huron Road Nursing School in East Cleveland, Ohio (where she graduated in 1953).
We were all concerned she might think I was my dad, as my haircut and beard trim made me look just like him as he was for 30 years or so before he died.
She never used my name, but did know I was someone close and important to her. Her mind was sharp, and we discussed my medical issues, but she was still asking about Grandma (her mother), and my dad, both who have passed away.
It was a nice visit, but she still thinks that she will be moving back home to the house in Shaker Heights (sold in 2008), and that we will all live together again, including my dad!
The day ended well, we headed back to my sister's hotel where I collected my bags, and she dropped me at Get-Go after we checked my PO Box at the post office and put my duffle in the truck at the Walmart parking lot.
Though I left my computer power supply under the desk at the hotel room (Sandra dropped it off a few hours later), it was a good day, with a pleasant visit with my mother, brother, and sister!
It is now Wednesday, and I am at the Library, having checked my mail and received the letter from EPALs who I will be calling shortly.
Also, lest I forget, my brother shoved a bunch of $20 bills in my hand when we said goodbye, and though I only have $5 left, Denny and I were able to enjoy a nice Box Meal for dinner @ McDonald's on Monday, before shopping at the dollar stores and refreshing our shared larder! Canned goods, bread, sandwich fixin's, and some spoons and a sandwich knife.
I also bought 2 new shirts and a spray bottle of Febreeze unscented fabric spray for my hiking boots and clothing. I bought a $1 book (a Clive Cussler novel I haven't already read) for my waiting room time, and am quite ready to endure another 2 weeks or or so before I can return to the food pantry to restock.
Dennis and I have been scouting out all of the items that we can purchase with EBT cards (we have agreed to pool them for maximum benefit), and I have been considering housing options. (I will inquire about Section 8, but the nearest Section 8 housing other than Cleveland, is in Oakwood Village. But hopefully I can rent a small apartment or half house in Bedford and stay in the area. Maybe even share with Dennis.)
So, SS is pending (they said 30 days, and it has been 2 weeks so far), I see my case worker tomorrow, and I am about to call EPALs about my medicaid. Things are coming together and Change is Making an Appearance!
So until next time, "Keep smilin'!"
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