#shepherd center

[getoutofthisplace]

Dear Gus,

Tonight we celebrated Nana’s 80th birthday at the Beebe First United Methodist Church. Her siblings, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all came together to share stories and a meal in her honor. Nana has aged incredibly well and we’re so thankful for that. 

Dad

Beebe, Arkansas. 1.6.2019 - 5.54pm.

[theusarticles]

Greenville teen paralyzed in diving accident continues recovery in new therapy program

Greenville teen paralyzed in diving accident continues recovery in new therapy program

A Greenville teen continues to make leaps and bounds in his recovery after a diving accident.Austin Somerville was paralyzed when he dove into a shallow part of a pool in the spring of 2020.“If I look back, in a hospital bed a little over two years ago, not being able to move anything, it’s just crazy,” Austin said. “This is crazy.”Austin says he once wondered if he’d ever get out of the hospital…

View On WordPress

[allthebeautifulthings9828]

Sigh.

Well, the Shepherd Center Pain Institute is not taking any new Medicaid patients. This is a bit of a blow. I'm being forced to go through the Grady system, which is painfully slow because everybody on Medicaid gets dumped over there. I would have much rather been treated by people who work with difficult disabilities every day instead of a general hospital system even if it is a level one trauma center. So back to the shitty Grady system I go. (Example: my referral just to have an exam has been sent four times and they claim they never get it.) And I can't get a new wheelchair until I have the surgeries I need. It's all hinging on getting into Grady now. Too many people on Medicaid in the South is disrupting the quality of care.

[allthebeautifulthings9828]

The seating and wheelchair clinic at Shepherd Center offers people with disabilities a variety of seating and mobility services.

I'm spending my day here today, if you're curious. Follow the link. They're going to poke and prod and figure out why my wheelchair causes me so much pain. These kinds of appointments take forever and they're very draining for me. I can do it though. It's for my own good.

[allthebeautifulthings9828]

Sigh. I'm so frustrated. Calling about doctor appointments and stuff was a big flop today.

Grady Hospital didn't even answer the phone in the orthopedic clinic so I left a message and I'm betting they won't call back. I'm supposed to start the process of having clubfoot surgery and hip surgery, but I can't even seem to get a friggin appointment.

The Shepherd Center didn't send a request to Medicaid to authorize the payment for the wheelchair evaluation yet, so no appointment there until authorization comes. A wheelchair evaluation means fixing broken parts and adjusting things that don't seem to fit anymore. When a wheelchair doesn't fit right, it can cause pressure sores and stuff. It's important.

And my Social Security lady was nice but I'm terrified about my evaluation on the 8th. I'm always terrified of doing the wrong thing and losing my benefits because I cannot survive without them. There is so much red tape and so many hoops to jump through. Yearly evaluations are terrifying.

I'm mentally exhausted and I still have to get the food stamps office on the phone today. All these phone calls coordinating my care and literally nothing has gotten accomplished because people just don't do their jobs. That's okay. I'll just keep doing everybody's job for them. Whatever.

All of you who are healthy, who don't need surgery, who can walk, and who can have gainful employment--count your lucky stars. I don't get frustrated with my disability often but today is a bad day.

When I die, I want everybody to make a bonfire out of my stupid wheelchair and dance in celebration around it because I'll finally be free.