Overcoming Disability To Rejuvenate My Productivity In The Community
by Shari L. Shepard
My father was in his 11th year of service within the NCO ranks of the U.S. Air Force. Two siblings arrived before me, both born at Fairchild AFB, Washington where my parents met in my mother's hometown of Spokane; and two siblings arrived after, both of them again at the same duty station: Waco AFB, Texas. Being an Air Force Brat opened my world to a variety of peoples, cultures and perspectives. I very much enjoyed the travel, and every opportunity it afforded me. My parents divorced in 1977 while I was a high school sophomore. My mother plus the four youngest kids left Daddy at our last duty station of Hickam AFB, Hawaii on October 31st. The split was such a complete shock, that I find our departure date rather ironic. Since leaving my mother's home in the summer of 1979, I have been married and divorced twice, and brought an amazing child (now a woman) into this world. I have lived in Sarasota, Florida since the fall of 1987, and appreciate the broad diversity of this community, as it grows from a quiet resort town to a modern city with its charming appeal still intact. My professional life spans EVERY industry with the exception of Energy, Oil and Gas and Engineering. My personal philanthropy encompasses the following groups: Equine Therapy for Disabled Kids and Adults, Animal Rescue Leagues, Art Organizations, Business and Civic Groups, Child-Centric Charities, Veterans' Services, the City of Sarasota and the Friendship Volunteer Center and its Advisory Council. These activities enable me to keep living and loving with laughter. In February 2007, my daughter and I were called home to Missouri as my father was dying of Emphysema. (My older sister passed in 2003 from advanced Lung Cancer; my mother passed in 2005 from Diabetes complications.) An hour and a half east of Springfield, Missouri, we collided with two semi tractor-trailers in the middle of the night. My daughter survived and escaped the car with simple lacerations. My injuries were considerably more severe as indicated: Both Tibias Fractured (diagnosed 4 weeks later by my Florida Orthopedist), Multiple Anterior Rib Fractures, Liver Damage from Fractured Ribs, Left Wrist Fracture, Left Ulna Nerve Damage and a Closed Head Injury diagnosed in Florida as a Traumatic Brain Injury. Residual Effects: The Leg and Rib fractures and the damage to my Liver have healed without any noticeable deficiencies. My Left Wrist has a shorter radius of flexion with a measurably weaker grip. The Mild Ulna Nerve over-stimulation occurs with involuntary movement. The Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI, was not clinically diagnosed and treated until January 2009 when I was able to be seen by a qualified Neurologist.* Specific challenges I live with now are: Intermittent Speech Aphasia - Loss of Vocabulary, Unable to Process Language Disruption in Logic - Exhaustion exacerbates this symptom Disruption of Visual Fields - Exacerbated by Exhaustion Disruption of Audio Fields - Exacerbated by Exhaustion Sleeping 10-12 hours per night with a 2 hour nap at Midday Dramatic Memory Loss (Years 2004-2008 are missing) Severe Permanent Headache with Brain Swelling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Moderate Depression with Severe Dips (i.e. Daddy died the same day as my final Social Security Hearing before the Administrative Law Judge.) *I was put through a Neuro-Psych Assessment in October 2007 with a Florida Neuro-Psychologist. My NPA concluded that there was no malingering on my part during testing, and even though my worst days were still better than the average person's best day, I was indeed functioning well BELOW my capabilities and intellectual level. Friends suggested I look up a leading Neurologist online: Dr. Michael Merzenich. Reading his works and case studies took weeks to comprehend, but it gave me a better understanding of what actually happened to me, where I was clinically, and what sort of progress I could hope to achieve. My progress as of this writing has plateaued in many areas, yet I continue to discover "workarounds" to move my life along. I am currently rated as Permanently Disabled by Social Security and my Neurologist. I had recently secured two very good positions 5 and 6 months prior to my accident: Full-Time Figure Model Coordinator at the Ringling College of Art and Design, and Part-Time Hostess at Fleming's Steakhouse and Wine Bar, giving me about $3,000 gross per month. At the time of my accident, I was catching up financially from being under-employed for most of 2006. I was underpaid on my auto insurance policy, so it did not pay out on any part of my claim. I was unable to return to either position after the accident due to the severe nature of my injuries; however, I was able to use all available benefits from Ringling College such as Sick Pay, Vacation Pay and my personal Health Savings Account to pay incoming medical bills. My Personal Injury Attorney assisted in negotiating a settlement advance for my living expenses which resulted in a total lien of $20,000 over 18 months PLUS an additional $25,000 in interest charges. My father, who survived for 2 ½ more years, helped me as much as he could financially. When we finally reached the lawsuit settlement in Mediation, I received $63,000 of the $210,000 total award. I used my portion to pay or settle delinquent debts; assembled a Health Care Team with the assistance of my Neurologist; paid an annual home lease in full due to poor credit and no job; and I bought a car for cash. I researched the local real estate market in hopes of buying my own home in 2009/2010. Giving up the costly rental (also due to a bullying landlord/broker) was scary, but I thought I would be able to buy a home within 30-45 days! Circumstances have not given me that opportunity yet, but I am still positive about the outcome. My monthly income pays for my furniture storage, vehicle cost, medical and prescription expenses and the exorbitant necessity of "eating out" since I no longer have a home. It does not, however, provide for shelter and utilities. When a 1099 position opened with the US Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, I was accepted, trained and worked as an Enumerator for 2 months, Jan-Feb 2009. Working with the temporary staff went well though I have learned that I have specific attention deficits, which do not mesh successfully with a traditional work environment or hours. I still need naps each day. I subscribed to StoresOnline, a company whose goal is to assist people in building Internet businesses. This enterprise is on hold due to my current living situation and my inability to maintain the subscription. Recently, I received a letter from the Social Security Administration regarding a new project called BOND, which will enable me to earn $2 for every $1 in benefits that I receive versus a maximum of $1,000 additional per month (prior to Benefits reduction). This new monthly income of $2,404 will bring me to the net I earned prior to February 2007 AND allow me to continue with my Medicare coverage until I can afford an individual policy. Along with recovering my Premium position at StoresOnline to create semi-passive income, the type of real estate I look for is an FHA-approved 1-4 unit property so that I can rent the extra units for passive income. This will help me break free of the Benefits Dependence and get me on my feet! My good fortune in all of this has been the guidance and care of most of the professionals in my life. However, they can't address my immediate budgetary demands professionally or personally. In assessing my best financial situation, I find that I need an additional $1,000 per month to meet my obligations of basic expenses. I am asking for a one year subsidy of $12,000 to add to my annual income of $14,424, plus a one time grant of $30,000 to assist me in buying a targeted 3-unit home in foreclosure.* I intend to utilize the $12,000 as the primary P.I.T.I. payment, property insurance and property taxes as the bills come due. The balance will remain on account to cover any unforeseen incidents at the property. *I have completed a Home-Buyer's class and qualify for a maximum of $20,000 in SHP funds from Sarasota County plus $7,500 in Bond funds from the State of Florida. In summary, even with my neurological deficits, I am finding ways to excel in new directions. I will not lie down and go brain dead. I'm not done Living, Loving and Laughing yet!
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