Veteran And Journeyman Plumber Seeks Grant Money For Urgent Dental Work

by Dag Lindbeck
(Fresno, California, USA)

I have been unable to secure steady employment for over three years now. I have a monthly income of $123 per month, from veterans' disability.

I am seeking compensation for my shoulder as well but don't know if I will get any compensation for that.

For the most part I am a journeyman plumber but am familiar with almost all the building trades.

Right now I am staying with a friend but there really is no room for me. I went to the VA for housing assistance and to try to end my addiction to alcohol. I did not conform to the rules of the housing authorities and was dismissed from VA housing.

In the interim I injured my shoulder. I suffered an avulsion fracture that required a specialist who worked out of Palo Alto, California, while I reside in Fresno.

I was never able to get to Palo Alto to have the needed surgery for my shoulder and now the doctor wants to make sure it hasn't healed too much to operate.

While it is not incapacitating it is painful. And I am prevented from doing any real exertion with my right arm out stretched or above shoulder height.

I am also experiencing pain in my wrists, elbows, knees and back, due to injuries and working with my hands for most of my life.

I tried to go to college and get a grant for that. While qualified there is a hold on my registration for a book I owe the college for. That debt is over $300 and I have not been able to come up with it all at once.

I also have a judgment I have recently been made aware of for I believe, around $3500, the origins of which I remain ignorant.

The main impediment to my employment though is mostly my lack of a driver's license, which I lost due to indiscretions several years ago.

I must now complete a multiple offenders course which I believe costs around $2000 in order to get my license back.

But my most urgent need is dental care. When I had insurance my yearly limit was quickly reached for root canals.

I was unable to afford permanent crowns and the temporary ones have since disintegrated.

Recently I broke a tooth trying to get a knot out of some rope. Hence I am prone to unpredictable toothaches, sometimes excruciatingly painful and debilitating.

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