I contacted my doctor last Monday to start the process of getting new wheelchair batteries. This involves getting a prescription sent to the durable medical equipment company, then they contact my insurance company for approval. I made several phone calls to the doctor and the equipment provider last week. Finally on Friday the provider received a prescription from my doctor. Now I am waiting on the insurance company to approve the request for new wheelchair batteries.
I explained to my doctor and the provider that my wheelchair can no longer go up my ramp or go on carpeting, creating an emergency situation. Which means I am basically stuck in my bedroom and kitchen. On Friday the provider informed me that they have all the information they need and I would simply have to wait for the insurance company to approve the request. That they would contact me as soon as they could (basically to quit calling them) to schedule an appointment to replace my batteries.
I wonder if these same individuals would have the same attitude if I told them they could only get out of bed, and around their kitchen and bedroom? I wonder if they would feel waiting two week's was justified?
Since Super Bowl weekend I have not had any transportation and I'm not expecting my Van back for another two weeks. My wheelchair is my only means of transportation and now the batteries are basically shot............... these companies and individuals that I rely on seem to have no sense of urgency in assisting me.
To make matters worse I received a phone call on Friday from my long term disability insurance company. It seems they are reading my website and blog and have questions regarding my disability. Since they are reading my blog I thought I would answer a few questions here.
Yes I am still disabled... it's funny but a C4/5 spinal cord injury is permanent.
I still require assistance with all activities of daily living. Being paralyzed from the chest down does that to a guy. This includes getting dressed, transferring out of bed in the morning, getting adjusted in my wheelchair, having meals prepared, having my food cut up and placed on my tray, assistance with bowel and bladder, shaving, showering, brushing my teeth........ household cleaning, laundry...... scratching that unbelievable itch on my shoulder..... opening my mail, writing checks........ every aspect of life.
As for having an adapted van and driving. 99.5% of the time my Van is in able-bodied mode, Beth drives me. In the last 4 year's I have driven less than 10 times. Fine motor movement is not my strong point, making parking extremely difficult, I have difficulty backing my Van up etc. living life as a high-level quadriplegic is difficult enough without insurance companies making life harder. What are these people thinking?
I explained to my doctor and the provider that my wheelchair can no longer go up my ramp or go on carpeting, creating an emergency situation. Which means I am basically stuck in my bedroom and kitchen. On Friday the provider informed me that they have all the information they need and I would simply have to wait for the insurance company to approve the request. That they would contact me as soon as they could (basically to quit calling them) to schedule an appointment to replace my batteries.
I wonder if these same individuals would have the same attitude if I told them they could only get out of bed, and around their kitchen and bedroom? I wonder if they would feel waiting two week's was justified?
Since Super Bowl weekend I have not had any transportation and I'm not expecting my Van back for another two weeks. My wheelchair is my only means of transportation and now the batteries are basically shot............... these companies and individuals that I rely on seem to have no sense of urgency in assisting me.
To make matters worse I received a phone call on Friday from my long term disability insurance company. It seems they are reading my website and blog and have questions regarding my disability. Since they are reading my blog I thought I would answer a few questions here.
Yes I am still disabled... it's funny but a C4/5 spinal cord injury is permanent.
I still require assistance with all activities of daily living. Being paralyzed from the chest down does that to a guy. This includes getting dressed, transferring out of bed in the morning, getting adjusted in my wheelchair, having meals prepared, having my food cut up and placed on my tray, assistance with bowel and bladder, shaving, showering, brushing my teeth........ household cleaning, laundry...... scratching that unbelievable itch on my shoulder..... opening my mail, writing checks........ every aspect of life.
As for having an adapted van and driving. 99.5% of the time my Van is in able-bodied mode, Beth drives me. In the last 4 year's I have driven less than 10 times. Fine motor movement is not my strong point, making parking extremely difficult, I have difficulty backing my Van up etc. living life as a high-level quadriplegic is difficult enough without insurance companies making life harder. What are these people thinking?