Hello, all:
I'm writing today to ask for your help. For your help, NOT for your charity. And for your recommendation of this diary, if you're comfortable and so inclined.
Those of you who know me from a Netroots Nation past or here in the Dallas real world know that I have significant mobility issues since a car wreck sustained six years ago this month. Flash forward to today, and it's time for me to replace my scooter lift and my mobility scooter (again). And, combined, it's a multi-thousand-dollar expense I just can't manage at my current income level.
I posted a diary a few week back, asking for advice from the Kos Ability crowd, among others, about programs that might help me. Great comments all. Tonight I'm back, asking for pointers, recommendations and hook-ups for real-world work that can help me pull in some much-needed cash.
More below:
When I purchased my scooter and lift the first time around, the cost was covered by own uninsured motorists policy. Although my catastrophic accident of July 2006 was caused by an insured commercial tow truck who stopped without flashers or cones to pick up a fare on the southbound Dallas North Tollway with no warning, the vehicle that actually struck mine was manned by an uinsured driver. In the wake of my wreck, that man dropped off the grid. Lots of legal wrangling ensued over a four-year-period, but the bottom line is that my own insurance paid out and, in the end, it wasn't close to enough. I am still paying medical bills from back in the day.
The wreck left me with significant mobility issues that necessitate aids including, variously, crutches, a rollater, and a mobility scooter -- and that scooter has been the key to my successfully switching careers and entering the classroom. Here in Texas, high schools are just too large for me to wrangle without help; my mobility range is about 30 yards max without assistance.
I have repaired and limped along my equipment for the last year or so, but I have, according to the experts, hit the end of the repair and maintenance trail. I wasn't, frankly, too worried about that since I am insured since becoming a teacher. Until, of course, I contacted my insurer and was told that my durable medical equipment coverage is virtually nonexistent.
After consulting Advanced Mobility Systems, they recommended that I talk to the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. I headed straight there. No luck. As a teacher, I make too much to qualify for their assistance -- although, let me assure you, too little to afford to pay close to a third of this year's annual salary on my replacements. That leaves me, then, holding the bag -- and facing this fall's teaching assignment here in Dallas without the assistance I need.
A few weeks back, when I posted a diary asking about assistance and replacement programs, a longtime Kossack generously offered to sponsor a crowdfunding diary on my behalf. I had mixed emotions: thrilled that help might be coming, uncomfortable sticking out my hand. Said Kossack is now, sadly, overwhelmed with work-related isues and will not be able to post said diary. The Kossack in question did, however, shoot me generous contribution to my cause. Completely unnecessary, and completely and deeply appreciated. Seriously, my friend -- thank you!!
Which brings me, after weeks of digging and researching and visiting and thinking, to where I am now: asking for your help in raising money. Let me stress -- particularly in the wake of community outrage, distrust and ugliness stemming from misrepresentation here -- that what I am really looking for is hook-ups for freelance writing work. Anybody know of any decent writing gigs going now? Anybody interested in purchasing one of my cool recycled-item art tables? If you live in Dallas, any chance you have -- or know of -- a kid in need of my English-tutoring services. (I'm an AP-trained high-school English teacher, and I tutor AND help with college-essay preparation.)
I need hook-ups. Ideas. Advice. Anything you got. I'm a little desperate. And if, and only if, you feel so inclined, I'm not above asking for help. But only if you can spare it. My Paypal account is melody AT townsel DOT com.
And please, please note: Before you weigh in or donate or let 'er rip and flame me, let me stress: I am working. I am not homeless. I can put food on my table. I'm earning just enough to fail to quality for aidr here in the state of Texas (not the most generous of states when it comes to assistance programs) but not, frankly, well off enough to afford to replace this necessary equipment.
And, if you don't trust this post or me, I totally get it. I know what's been going on around here, and I completely understand why you might not be feeling me. I get it.
If you do, I'll do everything I can to thank you all personally - and know in advance how grateful I'll be.
That's about it. Thanks for listening and reading. Thanks for any and all comments, ideas or suggestions you might make.
Peace out!