Relocation Grant Help For Multiply Disabled Bipolar Woman To Be With Family
by Robbin
My children are grown with families of their own. The majority of my family lives in the Midwest, where I was raised. Several sisters, my stepmother, son and his fiancée, cousins and friends reside in Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska. My ex-husband abandoned me in California, after I was diagnosed with multiple illnesses. He turned abusive and left me with our disabled son, who is now grown. I have no family in California. Other than two assistive pets and church family, I have no reliable sources of help. I was diagnosed bipolar/manic depressive at 11 years old. I am unable to take medication for the bipolar/manic depression, due to sensitivity ranging from hives to psychosis and anaphylaxis to most synthetic medications. My disabilities include: Post traumatic stress disorder due to multiple rapes, abuse and torture Social anxiety starting when I was 11 Panic disorder starting at a young age Obsessive-compulsive disorder when I was very young Migraine, cluster and tension headaches starting at puberty Fibromyalgia Celiac disease gluten-intolerance Crohn's disease when I was very young Colitis when I was very young Chronic fatigue syndrome that began during puberty Irritable bowel syndrome when I was very young Spastic colon at a young age Pelvic inflammatory disease that required uterine hysterectomy in 2003 Ovarian cystic disease Human papillomavirus Allergies to penicillin, all antibiotics and sulfonamides latex, most synthetic medicine, as well as environmental allergies like hay fever Asthma that began in my 20s Chronic bronchitis Cardiopulmonary obstructive disorder, diagnosed last ten years Scoliosis Rheumatoid arthritis Bursitis in my right hip for about the last five years Blood pressure drops/rises to unsafe levels for no known reason Heart murmur Grand mal seizures (cause unknown, witnessed by friends and family, but believed to be stress induced) Raynaud's syndrome I cannot maintain my weight without supplements, and I've been in and out of a wheelchair for over 12 years due to weakness, falls and neuropathy. Also I have torn soft tissue in my back (lumbar three and four) on several occasions, by simply bending over. Due to the number of illnesses, the date of onset of each is difficult to know due to overlapping symptoms. I was diagnosed in April of 2000 with fibromyalgia, which has become more debilitating. I live with a pain level of eight to nine. A good day is six. Arthritis and bursitis are becoming more prominent, requiring me to use a walker or wheelchair. My bronchitis went acute, exacerbated by the cardiopulmonary obstructive disorder. I am currently doing breathing treatments every four hours, and rescue inhalers every six hours. A hospital bed is a must to elevate my head to allow me to breathe while sleeping. The next step would be oxygen. I also require a riser on the toilet and assistive devices to shower. Intestinal issues are on going and vary in severity day to day. At times I am unable to swallow any solid or puree foods. My reactions to medications that I do take are the majority of the possible side effects, (most of which I have without any medication) along with some rare and unrecorded reactions. An example is Ultram. My reactions include hypersensitive hearing, ears ringing (felt like I was underwater, causing vertigo), hypersensitivity to light and hypersensitive smell (all odors made me extremely nauseous or took my breath away causing severe asthma attacks). I have taken that medication for years, then without warning I had severe reactions and side effects. My disability status is primarily the bipolar/panic disorder. It's been over 10 years, but I'm unsure of the exact time. I am also on In Home Support Services. I fall frequently and need basic care. I also have an assistive pet, so that I may remain in my home. Recent health care cuts in California have resulted in the state taking part of our check away, cutting programs like In Home Support Services hours, nutrition programs (no longer pay for liquid supplements unless you have a feeding tube), mental health services, chiropractic services, physical therapy hours, and certain medication subsidies. My physical health is getting worse, and so is my mental health. My depression is greater due the isolation from loved ones who are so far away (approximately 2000 miles). I cannot cook and clean up. It is one or the other, not both. I suffer frequent falls due to fatigue and trying to do basic things, so I need assistance from an aid. I am allotted 98 hours per month and California takes 3.8% off those hours to supplement the state's failing economy. That leaves me alone at times when I need help. To make matters worse, there's a possibility of another 20% reduction for some clients. I require assistance with personal hygiene and dressing, and at times moving from wheelchair to bed due to the size of the home. Doorways do not accommodate wheelchair or walker access to the rooms (bathroom, bedroom). Nutrition cuts have taken away needed nutritional supplements. On my income, I cannot afford to buy Immune Boost, Ensure supplements. I have $10 a month for groceries, and so I rely on pantries. With Celiac disease, diet is very limited, due to wheat byproducts in most food. Gluten-free foods are expensive and very hard to find in my area. Medication allergies restrict treatment for most diagnoses, making treatment of bronchitis or infections nearly impossible. Current medical coverage does not include homeopathic/natural medicine. Transportation is difficult if not nonexistent. I must use the manual wheelchair, as transport of the electric wheelchair is nearly impossible. Using public transportation increases health risks, mental anxiety and instability. Using wheelchairs without sidewalks doesn't work in our area (Mojave Desert) due to the sand. I have to rely on the kindness of strangers, upon availability, and most of those kindhearted people are disabled themselves and unable to lift a wheelchair. I'm currently paying $160 out of pocket for needed medications. This does not include Ensure. Medications are as follows: Prednisone (for Bronchitis) Pataday Veramyst ProAir inhaler (requires special approval) Duoneb Singular Claritin Xanax (not covered) Baclofen Nitrostat Vicodin Isometh-d-chloralphenz-apap (no longer covered) over $100 Ensure (six to seven per day and the state no longer covers this) White willow (I'm allergic to aspirin) Triderm cream Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc Glycentials, Multivitamins Ambrotose AO (antioxidant cell protection with immune boost) Plus (endocrine health) Current medical equipment includes: Manual wheelchair Electric wheelchair Wheelchair ramp Wheeled walker with seat Hospital bed and bedside table Shower bench/chair Handheld showerhead Nebulizer Air cleaner/purifier Toilet riser Assistive pet (assist with falls and medical emergencies) Currently my income consists of $830 from SSI and a State Assistive Pet award of $50 per month, for a total monthly income of $880. I go to a church food pantry for help with food and clothing. I am looking for grants to purchase a wheelchair accessible van, and to relocate to the Midwest to be closer to family for help. I'm also interested in any medical research programs in their area that work in the natural medicine field with my illnesses. My diet requirements would be easier to meet in the area where my family is. Cost of living and programs in the Missouri area would improve my quality of life as well as possibly extend my life with better natural control of health problems. My current disability income would comfortably cover expenses once relocated. Family would be present to help with daily living needs if needed. All I need is grants or other financial assistance to help to cover the cost of safely transporting myself with my needed equipment over the 2,000-mile journey. Approximate needed amounts are as follows: $3,000 used vehicle $1,500 fuel $500 food and lodging (with assistive pet) $300 deposits for utilities $500 rental deposit $300 pet deposit $150 phone deposit $400 unexpected expense (breakdown) $350 packing and loading So I would need a total of $7,000, but $10,000 would provide a protective barrier. I'm also looking for a first-time homeowners grant to buy a handicap friendly home in advance so that I can move in upon arrival. Such a home would cost less than $150,000.
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