There is no safety net “Golden Umbrella" for people who work for a living that get hit with disabling disasters.
2004 was a great year for me. Well, up until November that is. I’d achieved all my life’s goals before I hit 50. I made a good living, had around $25,000 in the bank, leased to own a new Inferno Red 2004 Sebring convertible, lived in the center penthouse of a building within the Columbus downtown skyline, and I had lots of friends. I had a little business called Jet’sArt Custom Illustrations, and when times got slow, I delivered pizzas part time in the coolest delivery car around — bar none! In the beginning of that year, I decided to forego extra expenses like health insurance and started paying down a $20,000 credit card debt at the beginning of that year by sending Visa $1000 to $1250 a month and MasterCard $600, and did it without it even denting my budget.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments226 - Nancy
You've got to stay on hold. If they cut you off, then go to your phone book blue pages, & use the main number for the local IRS office, & tell them what's going on. Better yet, ask for the Columbus, OH Ombudsman's Office number. If they give you grief, tell them you're calling your congressman - and do it. Tell the staffers you're being harrassed by the IRS, yet you can't even get through to them on the phone because of all the bullshit phone directory programs they've got on there.
227 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks Nancy, as it is I'm sitting on speakerphone playing computer solitaire or chess for as much as 20 minutes before giving up, or I'll hear a click and a dialtohe.
I'm having trouble dealing with frustration today.
228 - Jet in Columbus
Nancy-Thanks so much for your help... I finally got through to the IRS and the woman helped me fill out a form over the phone. All I need now is to send them my signature and I should be all right.
Love
Jet
229 - Jet in Columbus
well... The good news is that I've gained most of the sight back in my right eye through some injections and lasers punching more holes in the back of my right eye to relieve the pressure that has distorted the lense.
The bad news is that I'm probably coung to have to sell off the rest of my living room stereo/home theater to pay for the surgeries I still need.
Ohio State as been great by comping most of my eye work as student lessons overseen by advanced students, however they can't write off the expensive drugs,(the steroids) I didn't get yesterday, which they have to buy from pharmeceutical companies.
As a result we've stopped the current problem from getting worse, but we've only stowed it and I still have a 50/50 chance of keeping the vision in my right eye, and a 60/40 of keeping my left.
As my article said, and how my adventures have clearly illustrated, someone from an upper middle class background has no choice but to sink all the way to complete poverty until you can get help. As long as I own anything of value, they won't raise another finger until I've sold it all off.
The only way to get out of this suicidal depression is to try to become productive writing again (between putting in applications to keep my benifits and selling stuff to make next month's rent).
I've been only partially sucessful in compartmentalizing mentally but I'm going to try to find what I did with my sense of humor in the next few days, and maybe write a few articles to get my mind off of them (If I can sneak them past Lisa that is)
I'd like to thank all of you for your prayers, I've felt them and they helped.
love
Jet
230 - Christopher Rose
Welcome back, Jet. Glad things are incrementally better for you. Keep on keeping on.
231 - Jet in Columbus
Thank you Mr. Rose... I'll atempt to get up an eleventh time Gonzo
232 - Jet in Columbus
Just got a call from OSU, they've approved financing so I can get ther required drugs for the injections for my eyes.
It's not charity, and I'll probably be paying till im 65 but it's something
233 - gonzo marx
most excellent to hear, Jet
and good to *see* you on the site once again,
all my Best for you...
Excelsior?
234 - Jet in Columbus
Good news regarding my medical bills for Ohio State University. after reevaluating my situation, they are going to cover %100 percent of my coming eye surgeries and drugs instead of financing tham as first thought.
I still may have to pay for the follow-up exams but that's about $10,000 of my mind.
Maybe things are finally turning around!
235 - STM
Move to Australia Jet. Less likelihood of getting mugged in the first place, but if you do, medical treatment's all free (all of it) and the company you work for is obligated to help you put in a Workers' Comp claim, which gives you a sum for the injuries caused during the course of your employment, your subsequent expenses and your loss of income until you've recovered. Often, the amount is quite substantial.
In reality, I know that's not really possible or even possibly desirable, so I'll just say good luck, mate ... and let's face it, you could have gone another 10 years without finding out about your diabetes, so sometimes clouds do have silver linings.
Just doesn't seem like it I guess when you're getting pissed on like this from a great height. Instead of wishing that you could move to Oz, I will say a prayer for you.
Nice story, too. Hope it all works out for you.
236 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks STM. I wish I could see Australia too.
237 - philippines
Hello Jet!
I am glad to hear OSU will help you with your bills.
238 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks philippines, that's nice of you to say. Things get more and more complicated, but at least this is some good news. They still aren't clear if it covers my past bills or just my future bills alas.
My eye exam on monday turned up more damage and I was ordered off my meds for surgery this (Wednesday) morning, so I've been off my anti depressants for two days, though I doubt anyone noticed...
ha ha
They're going to do two types of surgeries and finally get around to injecting some kind of steroid in both eyes that might clear up the retinopethy (sic) in a few months.
this will be my 10th surgery, and they're doing both eyes this time. Fortunately my shrink appointment is two doors down immediately afterward so it'll be a full and fun day.
I appreciate the good wishes,
Take care
Jet
239 - Jet in Columbus
Well let's see, it's been a long time and I've been asked by several for an update...
Eyes-I'm due at Ohio State University on the 29th to have my right eye done. The drugs seem to have helped (well sort of) my left eye. I can see clearly out of it (with glasses), but have tunnel vision from all the laser surgeries, so there's no periferal vision and I still have to use eye drops in the morning in order to see well.
Diabetes-It's getting worse, that's the nature of the beast and it's what's causing the problems with my eyss. It's also making my feet completely numb and at times ice cold. If you are a diabetic and are reading this, check your feet nightly before going to sleep. You could step on a tack or cut your foot and never know it until it was severly infected.
Finances-No one will hire me because with the rod in my leg and plates in my foot, and fused ankle they're afraid of my injuring myself on the job and their insurance will go up. I've now emptied my bank account completely, with only enough to cash my workman's comp checks. they're now charging me $3 a month because I have less than their minimum in savings.
I'll be forced to default on my credit cards ($825 Visa/$225 MC) per month by the end of this month and I'm at $54,000 in debt because of uncovered medical bills and doctor visits. Health insurance is a joke people, not only getting it, but keeping it once you make a claim, and then discovering how many things they DON'T cover. Then after you lose it no one will cover you because of "preexisting conditions"
I'm in real danger of losing my internet unless I can somehow talk them into putting it on my phone bill instead of my credit card, but then I put my phone on my credit card.... sigh
Between the leg injury and keeping gas in the tank, I'm pretty much housebound. Depression is setting in. Short of winning the lottery, I'm pretty much beyond hope.
...which brings me back to the point of this article. As yet, no agency will help me because I'm making too much on social security disability and workman's comp (a mere $1,100 a month combined) to qualify for food stamps or financial assistance on my heating or other bills.
I have to fall completely onto the hard concrete floor financially before anyone will help and by then it'll be too late.
it sucks to be me today.
240 - Jet in Columbus
Does anyone out there know the way to find a good bankruptcy lawyer, how much it usually costs and how long the process takes?
241 - STM
Jet, when (or if) you do it, just remember that it should be a very simple and inexpensive process and the personal bankruptcy laws, which possibly don't even need the input of a lawyer beyond actually filing then papers if that's the way you choose, are designed these days as a way to relieve you of your very stressful debt.
From what I know of US personal bankruptcy laws, they are similar to those here; it's not a get out jail free card but nowadays they are designed to be as user-friendly as possible. You should be able to keep any earnings under a fairly generous prescribed amount, and there will be other advantages in terms of exemptions as well.
The US laws under both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 (which is more like a debt agreement drawn up between you and your creditors) are not designed to crucify a debtor, although exemptions under Chapter 7 differ from state to state. Obviously it's better if you can find a way around it, such as reaching personal agreement with creditors, but if not it's certainly no longer a stigma to file for bankruptcy, and in your case - with your medical problems - the reasons are more than genuine.
One of the bonuses for you (and this is really why the laws exist) would be that the relief from all this drama will be pretty much instant.
242 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks STM, this is something I never planned for, nor ever expected to happen in my life. I thought I was prepared for it.
I was wrong.
Right now I'm just trying to determine if I even need a lawyer or if this is something I should try to do myself.
Thanks for the input
Jet
243 - Jet in Columbus
dear friends, as my finances worsen I'm in real danger of losing my internet/e-mail service Feb 7. I'm trying to work things out now, but it appears as though my current provider won't allow me to switch billing to my phone bill nor will they allow me to pay by mail, so I'm going to have to switch carriers to my phone company if they'll allow it and I can afford it when bankruptcy forces me to pull the plug on my credit cards.
this will also mean a change of e-mail address and isp.
I wnat you all to know that I've cherished all of you and I'll try to contribute all that I can to BC when and if it happens that I lose my internet service.
Love
Jet
244 - Jet in Columbus
There are three great men-no outright SAINTS on this website that deserve my HEARTFELT thanks by helping me out financially while I go through the process of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
They may not think it was much, but when you're rolling change for gas money, it saved my life.
They know who they are, I just wanted to thank them here...
sincerely
Jet
245 - Nancy
Jet - email me if I don't reach you thru eric first. He's got my e-address & tell him it's OK for you to have it. Thanks. URGENT.
246 - Jet in Columbus
Nancy, I don't have your e-mail address saved, however you can contact me through my URL if need be. If you have access to either of the writer's page or new forum, the e-address is there.
Love
Jet
247 - Nancy
I don't have access to the writers' page, and I don't know how to find a URL.
248 - Jet in Columbus
Look above this message and you'll see the little letters URL, click on them then go to profile
249 - Jet in Columbus
I'm going in for more eye surgery here in half an hour, so I might not be back on for a while. Thanks to all of you for your recent help and concern.
I might not be able to respond for a while, but I'll check in with my magnifyer screen just to try to keep in touch.
sincerely
Jet
250 - D'oh
All the best Wishes towards you, Jet.
I'll keep all fingers and toes crossed until we hear from you, no matter how difficult it makes typing, or how many times I fall over.
251 - Jet in Columbus
Much needed good news!!! The drug worked on my right eye to the point where it doesn't need further surgery, so they sent me home. With money that some of you sent (god bless you) it just came in the nick of time as the charities that were helping with the cost of my eye surgeries dried up. I'm suing part of it to make a partial payment on the left eye.
They saw that, and are now willing to foot part of the bill for the other injection (which they won't give me until I get financing)
alas
I was concerned because my vision in my right eye seemed to be getting worse, but actually with the swelling going down from the drugs, it's because my eye is improving, which means I'll eventually need new glasses to accomadate the improvements.
I've got to get off here because they dialated my eyes and the screen is blinding, but I figured with all the doom and gloom it was time for some good news for a change.
Jet
252 - D'oh
"and there was much rejoicing" - Monty Python
253 - Nancy
YEEEEEE-HAHAHAHAH & PRAISE THE LORD-!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm SO glad. I TOLD you things had to start looking up (so to speak). Chin up, Sugar; you're on your way back, I think.
254 - Philippines
How are you, Jet?
God bless you!
255 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks for asking Phillipines-gads I don't know where to begin. Ohio State has injected my other eye now with the experimental drug (thank god I didn't get the placibo in the experiment) and it's improving.
I consulted a lawyer about suing my former employer and was told laws have been passed that not only make it impossible to sue an employer for work related injuries, but now they are no longer required to hire you back after you've recovered sufficiently to go back to work!! My injuries and psychological trauma were so severe that more than two years later I'm still on Workman's comp and seeing regular doctors!
I ran out of savings back in December and started paying my credit cards out of on hand cash. My workman's comp came three days late in January, and because I was four days late with a payment to Visa...
They raised my finance rate to 33.9 Percent and started charging outrageous late fees-for FOUR DAYS LATE!!! my February minimum payment was over $2800 and my March minimum payment was $5290!!!!
I went to Legal Aid Society only to be told that after the bankruptcy laws changed favoring the credit card companies, they no longer help with filing for Chapter 7 and 13 because it's so complicated.
In other words the process is now so expensive and legal time-consuming, that the average man like me who actually needs it, only finds it completely out of reach!
Like a fool I thought I could file myself (which only costs $200, but there's at least 100 forms and each with a 15 page instruction manual that's impossible to understand... make one mistake and the case is denied.
I tried to find a lawyer that'd handle the case probono, but no luck.
So far filing has cost a little over $850 and that doesn't include my court costs yet to come. I'm told that's dirt-cheap all things considered.
With all this pressure, I've been lashing out at people I shouldn't, and getting oversensitive at the slightest slight.
I went to Ohio State University last week for help at the psych ward and it seems to have helped a little.
I just wish there was a way to apologize to all the ones I've hurt in the process by lashing out and getting frustrated at people whose only crime it was to help me.
Speaking of which. the beginning of February, some of the editors, writers and readers here at BC got a collection together to help me out financially.
If it hadn't been for those saints, I don't know what would've happened.
Thanks again to all.
I haven't been on here for a while because I catch hell for "feeling sorry for myself" when I do.
Your concern is greatly appreciated Phillipines...
Jet
256 - Jet in Columbus
Interesting new development. I was informed by mail yesteday that my hearing is now scheduled for April 26th and that I no longer own anything. This news took me aback since I thought I was protected by filing for bankruptcy.
After consulting the lawyers, it turns out that the Federal courts seized all my possessions and my bank account in order to protect me from a creditor trying to take them.
Since the property now belongs to the state, they can't just walk in and take it. Apparently the court hearing on the 26th will give it all back to me... minus what the credit card companies try to swipe...
sigh
257 - Jet in Columbus
Dear all,
The Chapter 7 bankruptcy hearing went uncontested this morning, and I'm relieved to say I didn't lose anything in the process except nearly $50,000 in debt.
I never would've been able to do this without the financial help of my friends at Blogcritics Magazine, who chipped in through PayPal to aide with the nearly $900 in fees and retainers. They are saints in my book and I thank them with all my heart. Nowadays you have to be rich to go bankrupt apparently.
Now that I've been relieved of this burden, maybe I can start to rebuild my life anew.
Again, thanks to all
Wishing you love, luck, laughter
Jet
258 - Dave Nalle
Glad it worked out, Jet. I assume that the state never actually took possession of your property.
Did you get to keep your car and everything?
I think your case is exactly why bankruptcy laws are necessary and justified.
Dave
259 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Here's best wishes in rebuilding your life. I feel bad that that is all I can offer, Jet...
260 - Jet in Columbus
Just the words of a friend that cares are all that are needed, thanks Ruvy
261 - Jet in Columbus
Dave, I'm considering writing an article on the whole bankruptcy experience. Yes I got to keep my car, though it was iffy. I was told that since I was leasing it, it was safe, then that the credit card companies could take it, sell it, pay off the lease and pocket the rest.
As it turns out, the Credit card companies didn't show up as feared, so I get to keep everything. Since they didn't show up they forfeited any claim on the assets.
I'm very relieved.
262 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks for asking on another string SR, I guess I haven't updated this lately. I go to Grant Hospital about my knee Friday the 1st.
It turns out the delay is because of the angle my leg is at, the ligements and tendons have stretched on one side and shrank on the other. Because of this, they may have to be cut in order to make them even, and I may lose the ability to walk because when they put the artificial knee in, the soft tissue may not be repairable.
I see my Workman's comp doctor Monday the 4th. They're trying to find a way to get me off the checks I need to survive on. My injuries were so severe, that 2 1/2 years later I'm still collecting disability and workman's comp... mainly because they haven't completed surgically fixing everything that was injured during the attack.
As for my eyes, I suffered a hemorrage in my right eye May 2nd due to diabetes complications. the pressure separated the membrane the holds containes the gel inside of my eye. There's a large pool of blood inside of my eye that settles to the bottom until it disapates, but until it does, the membrane wanders around inside of my eye, dipping into the blood pool and making it opaque, rendering me blind in my right eye. which unfortunately is my reading eye.
I'm using Microsoft Magnifyer to read my computer screen, but magazines etc are impossible, and reading glasses are useless because the pressure in my eyes keeps changing altering the focus.
My left eye is my distance eye, so I can still drive to dr appointments. On Monday June 11th they're going to do laser surgery on my left eye (my good one) to try to cotterize the leaking blood vessels, and they'll be doing an ultrasound on my right eye. If the membrane doesn't disolve, they'll have to surgically open up my eye, drain it and remove the membrane, then refill the eye with saline solution.
The Bankruptcy relieved me of my debts, but the cost of it totaled me financially, and I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for the kindness of a bunch of Blogcritics editors, and readers who chipped in to help and sent me over $500 through PayPal to help with the nearly $900 cost of lawyers and credit counseling. I'm completely broke, but my head's above water, unless something disasterous happens.
I want to go into vocational computer training, and improve my life, now that my art career's over, but until my eyes and knee are fixed, they won't let me in the building for insurance reasons-what with my leg and ankle nearly destroyed.
sigh
My attackers were never caught. One of the reason I'm still being treated at Ohio State University for Post tramatic stress. I'm terrified of strangers and even more of going out after dark.
I'm still in there fighting though, it's tough but I am, and thanks again for asking
Jet
263 - Jet in Columbus
As for your offer SR, I left a preply on this string above with this additional news. They've decided they can't operate on the knee without inoperable damage and have decided to hack into my thigh bone above the knee instead, cutting out a wedge and then putting a rod into it straightening out my leg... but leaving the fractured knee.
The operation will leave me laid up for three months.
I just cant get a break...
264 - Jet in Columbus
Chapter 264: (cue organ music) I got an e-mail from my workman's comp caseworker saying they were going to stop my comp payments, because I couldn't fulfil my 15 applications a week in order to keep my checks.
Between my eye explosion blinding my right eye, and the increasing angle of my knee, now placing my left foot outbound more than three inches from where it should be, I was shocked at what the latest in a long line of doctors said, and included it in an e-mail to my caseworker and the lady incharge of my vocational rehab, which I can't attend due to my eyes....
Dear Kathy and Marianne,
Major problem that someone one didn't warn me about despite the number of doctors that have examined me.
My ankle was fused by Dr. Philbin so that it won't swivel front to back, but also so it won't swivel side to side. Because of this, when I walk with the leg at the angle that it's offset by, I'm literally walking on the right side of my left foot, because my ankle can't compensate to land flat on the ground.
The stress of this is what has caused all the pain in my knee, which has (as you know) resulted in several cortisone shots for pain and wearing of bone against bone trying to compensate. This also may have been doing damage to my foot and may require a follow up to check it by Dr. Philbin.
Because of this, the set of doctors working on my ankle/foot haven't been properly communicating with the doctors working on my knee, like the right hand not knowing what the left hand was doing.
Dr. Pugh has stated point blank, that I should've been instructed to walk on it to strengthen it, but otherwise to stay off the leg as much as possible until the knee angle could be corrected, and that I never should've been forced to travel around putting in applications, which has only aggravated the situation and made it worse increasing the angle that my knee has deviated.
He has your cell number Kathy, and has said he will call to tell you this, and to excuse me from having to continue to do so.
Because of the healed over damage to the knee, they don't want to risk damaging it further, and want to instead sever the bone above my knee, and insert a wedge of cadaver bone into the gap to straighten it. The angle is now such that if you draw a straight line between my hip and ankle, my knee falls completely outside of that line. This is what has cause the pain and grinding of bone in my knee.
I'll be laid up in the hospital for a few days after the operation, and then will have to heal for a period of between 4-6 months, with two ringed external fixators, one at my knee and one at my crotch, which will in effect incapacitate me, make it hard to sleep, and get around with.
The fact that I'm suffering from severe (sometimes near suicidal)depression and Post Traumatic Stress, is not being considered in this situation, and unfairly so. I am now on three courses a day of antidepressants, and I feel that my mental state because of the attack-robbery is being ignored in judging my fitness to go back to work. Particularly problems concerning panic attacks around strangers.
With everything else going wrong, the last thing I needed was a threat to cut me off financially. Before I seek legal advice on how to proceed with the news that I never should've been forced to put in applications in the first place because of the physical problem with my knee, I'd like your thoughts on the subject.
Thank you...
265 - Jet in Columbus
Update Dec 2005-I'm now paying the price for my former efforts at a great body.
The diabetes is still determined to take my eyesight and I was virtually blind from Thanksgiving to Dec 10th due to hemmorages in my left eye May 2nd and right eye over thanksgiving.
The left has cleared up enough to get around, drive and read if I blow the text up about 200%/
I'm going for an echo EKG on Monday the 17th in the new Dublin Hospital to search for a blood clot in the bottom of my heart that caused Congestive Heart Failure back in September 14th. I'm on Coumadin therapy (the main component in rat poison) to thin my blood enough to prevent another clot while my body tries to dissolve the one I've got now. They'll be switching me to Lovenox during the surgeries on my eyes and the attempt to repair my leg fractures.
Hopefully I won't be laid up in the hospital over Christmas, but the convelescence will be 6 months to a year.
After discovering that I can't afford Medicare because they charge $96 a month out of your checks and disability and workman's comp is all I'm living on, I'm uninsured. Even if I'd taken the medicare, there's a ton of stuff Part A doesn't cover, not to mention all of the co-pays. The system really wasn't designed for people who really need it... it was designed by people who don't really need it...
This will be the first year that I didn't put up Christmas lights or decorations.
I inhereted $9000 from my father in October, and sank the entire thing into paying my rent and utilities all the way up to July of next year.
...I wonder how much tax I'll have to pay on it to the State of Ohio.
LIfe does grind on...
266 - Jet in Columbus
Update Dec 20: I was informed of the results of my Echo EKG today. I'll require heart surgery because the clot seems to have slipped into a worse position and my heart is only putting out 19 percent of what it should be.
It could be something as simple (lol) as running a catheter up my thigh to my heart and trying to clear the blockage, or as serious as open heart.
Thats what I get for not checking my answering machine until 2 AM three days later.
The heart specialist is more interested in how I'm going to pay for it, than the seriousness of it, though he did mention I would have to have it "very soon".
If you don't hear from me for some unknown reason it's because I probably have to spend Christmas in the hospital.
sigh
267 - Jet in Columbus
Well, it's happened gang. My heart is going on strike and I'm to report to Grant Hospital to have a proceedure done involving clearing a clot that's only allowing 19% output.
I'd like everyone to cross their fingers for me around 1PM EST Friday the 28th.
I'll need it....
268 - troll
best wishes Jet
269 - Jet in Columbus
...thanks
270 - Jet in Columbus
Just when I thought I was safe, fate threw me another low blow. Because of my heart problems, Workman's comp has decided to stop my checks until I'm able to have the final round of leg surgery.
Why?
Until I complete the coumadin and Plavix therapy, my heart doctor won't sign off on my going into surgery.
Workman's comp/Gallagher Bassett has ruled that since my heart isn't part of the original injury, they don't have to pay me until I'm well enough to go back into leg surgery.
Sometimes I wonder why I keep trying......
271 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
So, the schmucks are keeping you on a whirligig designed literally to sicken you. If you are able, Jet, it is worth writing about - and making money off of.
272 - Jet in Columbus
Ruvy, I fell aslettp after my previous post and I'm just now waking up nearly 12 hours later. it's one of the classic signs of depression and also one of the effects of going into withdrawal from Cymbalta.
I'm beginning to write about it on my blog/diary, but it's very hard because reliving it is increasing the emotional problems.
My shrink is off this week
No one answeres the daily voicemails I've left with Gallagher Basset, Workman's comp or Franklin county..
273 - Dr Dreadful
Aaarggh. I wonder about the logic of bureaucrats sometimes.
Do they really think that you're somehow, temporarily, magically in the physical condition of an Olympic sprinter until someone signs a piece of paper?
274 - Jet in Columbus
Actually the severe problem is the withdrawal from doing 90Mg of Cymbalta and being cut off cold-turkey
Rages, beatinb my fists aginst my desk and keyboard. I've terrified my poor cat.
275 - bliffle
Was the Cymbalta effective?