Mcmann she only has two real friends in the world. Myself and the guy who lives out of state. He calls me and I call him and we work on her. Sometimes it feels like we are doing good cop/bad cop. Azzalea I have already broached the attorney idea. Her son had one so I suggested she talk to him about his experience with the system. She will be seeing her DS today or tomorrow. Hopefully she will follow through. Alot of her problem is her pride which leads to hiding her disability and secrecy. I had a serious heart to heart with her the other night. I told her as much as I understood it hurt her pride it was very important to start showing her weaknesses instead of her strengths in order to have any chance of getting the services she so badly needs or will need in the near future. I also focused on telling her that now was the time to accept help from those who care about her while she still can make informed choices. I told her she had to stop hiding and learn to trust the people who have her best interests at heart and quit being so gullible to smiles and a friendly demeanor from those who don't really give a rat's patootie. She "gets" it but then gets frazzled and slips back into her doormat ways.

Julie. This is hard to explain and probably hard to understand at least for those who know my struggles. I've ask the state for some help. Medical for myself (rest of family has it) I've ask for some help twice to help provide something for Christmas for my two young kids still counting on Santa, I've ask for help with groceries a couple of times, I've ask for help to replace a broken furnace. .. I was denied every single time. Now although I would put my feelings aside and ask for help when needed I just can not accept money because I take care of my sick daughter. I chose this girl. I was there when she was born. I knew from the second she entered the world she was going to have a life of struggles and I knew I would also...but I chose to be her mother regardless. Absolutly the money would ease burdens, but it would also cause another sort of moral burden that I couldn't accept emotionally. I do accept help with home care nurses when needed. Once both my boys were admitted to hospital together so I had to have someone at the house with Amiee. A few times while on IV antibiotic therapy a nurse had to come. A few times I was unwell and someone came to help Amiee. I was grateful and happily accepted the help. I just can not make myself take money to care for her myself. For anyone that is ready to jump on me about this. This is not up for debate. I will not explain myself anymore than I have above. You don't have to agree with me but just for a second put yourself in my place.

Still need to have the responsible person check with their state department that handles Medicaid as posted above. The young woman may be covered until 19 but she may also have to provide additional documentation. I would also worry about after she is 19. Also an FYI public policy varies from state to state, county to county, and from city to local taxing entity so always check your local groups.

Sorry for your difficulty in understanding an accent on the phone. I had an aunt who spoke with a strong German/New York accent that left me baffled when young, but gifted me with being pretty good with accents. I do need time with the person and seeing them in person definitely helps. I've worked with (dental) patients who are reluctant to speak because of their accents. I tell 'em keep talking, the more I hear them, the better I get at understanding them. Usually once they realize someone is really listening, I can't shut them up! (not that I want to) Garden gal 48 I agree about speed. Slower is better. They may not understand me well either. Anglophillia-- you may have hit the nail on the head. I once worked at a resort where the maintenance man was especially interested in a sore throat I'd complained about the day before. A co-worker explained he'd been a doctor in Cuba. Couldn't practice in the US of course. Came over on a makeshift raft. Was happier being a maintenance man in the US than a Dr. in Cuba. Kind of a eye opener for me. And yet-- Your Dr. should realize your limited energy and honor your request to not have to fill out a lengthy medical history in such a exhausting way. Ask to have them mail the forms to you so you can fill them out at home and bring them with you. This is not an unusual request. You can fill it out at your leisure as time and energy allow. You will know everything is correct. The assistant can enter the data into the computer from your form and you can avoid the situation.