Retired Disabled Airline Mechanic Seeks Government Grant For Hostel Business
by Michael D. Anderson
Due to a car wreck in 1999, I was forced onto Long Term Disability at 47, an age way too young to retire at. I still get Social Security Disability ($1,900 a month) but my Long Term Disability insurance company, CIGNA, dropped me last December 1st, 2009 (36 months after getting me on SSD). Their disbursement to me was $1,100 a month. As it turns out, I'm not the only one CIGNA has turned the screws on. The Internet is full of stories about the underhanded dealings of this "reputable" company using outdated research as their grounds for dropping them and telling them they are able to return to work. Apparently pleasing Wall Street investors is a higher priority for CIGNA than to fulfill their committed contracts to people like me. Regardless of which, I am now left to explore other possibilities. The cause of the accident was a 28-year-old preacher who died at the scene leaving behind a wife and 3 children. I was in a coma for 3 weeks, had 7 surgeries, died twice while on the operating tables and was given only a 5% chance to live. While learning to walk again in rehab the tricuspid valve in the heart ruptured and I needed another surgery. They installed a mechanical valve and two years later replaced it with a pig's valve. It's been a long road for me but a road I would be willing to travel again because of the insights of acceptance, enthusiasm for living life and joy for the simple things with my new understandings of a power much greater than ourselves, a power that many call God. It's true that sometimes you have to lose what you have to understand who you truly are. Much like what America is going through now with the economy and all. My recovery was 2 weeks short of a year and I was able to return to work for a short time much to everyone's surprise. I was well known throughout the large company because of my role on the court appointed diversity panel (1993 -1995) which represented gays and lesbians as the working environment had been hostile towards us. I was a key player in effecting change and even convinced my company to be the first major domestic air carrier to join the International Gay Travel Association, IGTA, which led to other airlines joining making it friendlier for gays to travel. My return was to work was a goal I set for myself - no one forced me to do it. I wasn't ready to give up on life, not yet, let alone have this disability now define who I was. But gradually I had to cut myself down to half days due to the fatigue. The head injury had made life more difficult and I became fatigued much too readily to maintain full time employment. My union and company had set up an LTD plan that would pay until I could retire. Without an actual disability retirement plan I thought this made good sense. Now from the experiences of dealing with CIGNA and being dropped after 36 months, I can't help but feel a sense of betrayal by CIGNA toward me and the taxpayers of America. I'm now left to discover other opportunities. I now have an opportunity to set up a resort-type retreat on the popular Elroy/Sparta bike trail in Wisconsin. The bike trail draws enthusiasts from all over the country but the town of Elroy only has one motel. The property I am looking at is a nursing home located precisely at one end of that bike trail. By purchasing and converting this facility to a hostel-type lodging environment (each room has ½ bath but shower facilities are in a common area) I would be able to offer low cost lodging to cyclists. And since the nursing home is already handicap accessible, I could also offer motorized bicycles for those with limited disabilities as well as equipment to accommodate those with more severe disabilities. The facility is already equipped with a commercial kitchen and my partner currently works for a local resort cooking, waiting tables and doing general maintenance. Our kitchen would also offer healthier food choices such as vegan dishes and health smoothies/refreshments. Bottom line, what I can't contribute to this business due to my disabilities, my partner can. However, the facility is in need of repair. It needs a new boiler and some of the plumbing also needs to be redone. These are things that would have to be contracted out. We would also need to purchase a bus or some sort of vehicle for transporting guests and their bicycles to the opposite end of the trail thus allowing them the option of only having to bike back to our Hostel. Since there is only one motel in Elroy, our facility would bring in more tourism and support for the local economy. I have difficulties in walking and tire out easily. But as host/bus driver/spiritual teacher I can share my experiences with guests, listen to their experiences and offer them a change in how they view themselves as a valued person. It is important that people not let their disability, or lack of define who they are. My aim is to end those negative experiences, to turn life into an expression of true self-realization from a place of inner peace and harmony. Supporting this I am also willing to provide an open library focusing on the modern day spiritual teachings of Eckert Tolle (THE POWER OF NOW), Rhonda Byrne (THE SECRET), Neale Donald Walsch (Conversations with God) and many others. Giving access to new thoughts of a different awareness of God, different from the fear based teachings of organized religions. So, as you can see, this hostel has the potential of becoming many things - a hostel for tourists offering easy access to the popular Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail, a retreat for those who need spiritual guidance as well as a hall for group gatherings such as weddings, anniversaries etc. I could earn a decent living in offering a new awareness. As a veteran seeking government grants for businesses, I pray somehow someone will listen to how these insurance companies walk away from their contractual obligations and step to the plate and compensate for the damages left in their wake. Michael Anderson Isle, MN
      Go to the Accessible.org Home page. 
|
