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Hey Mark,
Somehow I overlooked your question. TWICE. Been ill lately so prolly why.
I do not work anymore (I thought I said in my original e-mail that I had to discontinue work because of syringomyelia, low endurance, and numerous other medical problems). But when I did -- I lived with my significant other and our combined household incomes got us by. Not that it is anyone's business but our combined incomes added up to about $40,000 a year. And that is definitely way over the public assistance guidelines.
My job was a state job so I had excellent medical insurance with it and THAT is how I got along without any public assistance.
When I quit working I immediately applied for Social Security disability and Medicare again. I did not qualify for public assistance because our household income was STILL beyond that.
After my ex and I split I was only alone for a very short time before I married my current husband 8 years ago. I still get Social Security disability (with only Medicare and not Medicaid) and my husband had a very good job. Combine that with years and years and years of investing we make ends meet.
The biggest thing against me is that Medicare does not have any teeth and will not do anything about long-term home health-care. and now they have it set up whereby I can not afford a supplemental insurance to pay for the things that Medicare does not pay for. Medicare only pays 80% of most things.
Hello Sharon!
Of course I know that everyone is different but it seems the majority of people who are quads are on public assistance. And yet they are the first to complain about welfare moms and more. I wasn't pointing fingers. Just pointing out some facts. Right now my bachelor's degree is not being put to use and that really stinks but I have not given up.
I have been very fortunate to have had the relationships I have had and have!
The secondary complications from quadriplegia are the ones that I did not expect. Just as my husband did not expect to get laid off of work four years ago. But because we have invested wisely we have not had to go on public assistance. And I think my husband would rather be dead than go on welfare--I am speaking for him of course but I know him very very well.
Men are usually the ones who are the bread winners and the proud ones so there is nothing surprising there.
I am very impressed with the accomplishments of people here like Steve and Lester who are bravely out there in the workforce and gave others here some good information in case they want to do the same!
Lori Michaelson
C4/5 complete quad, 25 years post
Tucson, AZ
-------Original Message-------
Date: 03/21/06 16:24:08
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Work
Lori,
Hello,
My name is Sharon I am on Public Assistanance SSI, Social Security
Disability. But Its not because I Want to be!! I worked for 8 years running
a office! One day I received a letter stating that if I made 200.00 a month
I could loose my medical insurance. Here in Ohio that's how it is!!!! What
Choice would you have made? I knows not fair but! If laws ever change I will
go back to work if I don't get too old first!!! Not everyone is on public
assistance because they want to be!!! There are allot on it that should not
be!! But you don't know everyone's situation!!! Do not judge until you're in
one shoes!!! Just my opinion!!
Hugs
Sharon
----- Original Message -----
From: QuadPirate
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 4:14 PM
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Work
What, No answer?
-------Original Message-------
From: QuadPirate
Date: 03/18/06 13:51:31
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Work
Hey Lori I have a question.
How do you live on $16,500 a year with no help or public assistance?
There's a lot people on the list that would like to know your secret.
Mark
-------Original Message-------
From: Lori Michaelson
Date: 03/17/06 16:22:52
To: Quad
Subject: [QUAD-L] Work
Many others can answer this question as well. I got a B.S. in liberal
studies and business administration. I wanted to work for IBM as it was a
big local firm but all resumes were ignored there and other jobs.
I took a job at an ILC and worked as an advocate of kids receiving
special-ed. It only required an Associate's degree but I took it. Fool
move. It only paid $16,500K. That = about $7.50 ban hour. Nonetheless I
stuck with it. Then I began having pain here and there ALL THE TIME. I
went to different Drs for 4-5 yrs and finally found out I had Syringomyelia.
I resigned from work (foolish move ... shoulda retired on disability).
My endurance now sucks along with other secondary problems later and yr
after yr.
It SUCKS my degree isn't being used RIGHT NOW but I keep plenty busy!
Go to work if you can! People whine about women on welfare yet so
many quads get exactly that. Call it Medicaid, Public Assistance or
whatever ... but it's welfare and I'll get slammed here for not being P.C.!
If you know what you want to do ... reach for it! GO FOR IT!
TIP: DO NOT put that you are disabled on your resume. I was green as
key lime pie when I was doing mine/sending mine and made that mistake. List
only your experience, degrees, etc.
Lori | 
