[TMIC] update on Jim
I will be on my way to Pontiac soon, yes Jim is still there, and yes he is not a happy patient, He wants to get this show on the road. It is hard to keep telling to be patient. We both need your prayers and we thank you for them. til next time.Praying for each of you.
Re: [TMIC] Wheelchair questions
Jude, Yes, my small suv, a Subaru Forester, does not have a wide enough hatch opening for a powerchair that does not come apart. Thanks for the info. Kevin heyjude48...@aol.com wrote: *Kevin,* ** *Is it mandatory that the wheelchair you are looking for is able to come apart for traveling?* ** *I have a great chair, but it does not come apart, weighs about 500 pounds so a van is necessary.* ** *I will have Dave give me the info of the other power chair that I have that does break down. It's real easy to take apart and put in the car or trunk.* ** *Love,* *Jude* In a message dated 8/11/2009 9:55:21 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, wolft...@optonline.net writes: I am wondering who uses Power Wheelchairs on the TMIC? I cannot use a manual wheelchair because my hands are bad. Would you mind posting which chair you use, what you like or don't like about it, is it good for indoor or outdoor use or both? I am considering a Pride Go-Chair mainly because it is small and comes apart for travel. (note: this is not the same as a Go-Go Scooter) Also, is anyone familiar with the wheelchair provider Maxim Mobility in New Haven, CT? Good or bad? Thanks! Kevin
[TMIC] OT? - Anyone who has employee STD/LTD benefits.
First to all newbies - WELCOME Anyone with TM who has been employed and has as a benefit Short/Long Term Disability (STD/LTD) PLEASE beware of these companies - you are not safe with/from them. They will do anything to get you off your deserved payments. You need to contact a good ERISA lawyer ASAP! Here is a question from disinssues and a reply from a former insurance representative: I may be able to shed some light on this, because, I hate to admit, I used to be one of those vocational experts who evaluated LTD and workers' comp claimants to determine their employability. Typically, when a LTD policy is getting ready to move from the own-occupation phase to the any-occupation phase, a vocational expert is called in to evaluate these cases and identify jobs. It was not unusual for the LTD claims person to refer the claimant for IMEs, which, of course, greatly underestimated the impact of the person's disability on potential work. Anything vocational that is offered to a claimant by an LTD carrier would almost have to be bad news. Their entire focus is to get that person off of benefits and reduce the exposure (claim reserves). People who manage LTD claims are given hefty incentives to get claims resolved; in other words, stop or deny payment of benefits to claimants. If you request rehab services, and then do not cooperate, that alone could be grounds for termination of benefits. First and foremost, get a copy of your Summary Plan Description and read it. Go through it with a fine tooth comb. There are numerous pitfalls to LTD, and you should familiarize yourself with the terms of the policy before you begin. Case in point: I recently was contacted by a frantic woman who said she had received notification that her LTD benefits were being terminated. She had been receiving LTD benefits for five years. Three years ago, she filed a Social Security disability claim at the request of the LTD. Her claim was denied and she did not appeal. She thought that she fulfilled her responsibility and continued receiving LTD. Recently, someone at the LTD wised up and checked to see the status of her Social Security claim and found that she had never appealed the denial three years earlier. Now she is told she has been overpaid LTD in the amount of $30,000 and they are withholding benefits until the overpayment is paid back. Simply put, they got her on a technicality. Suddenly, she has no LTD and no SSD. No income at all. And since she has not worked in five years, her Date Last Insured for Social Security disability is very soon. She will reapply asap, but the wait for approval, as we know, can be years. The LTD claims people won't tell you a thing and it is your responsibility to stay one step ahead of them. Question everything to reveal the hidden meanings in the claim language. What may seem to be straightforward English probably isn't! Find someone who understands the lingo and can explain things in layman's terms. Consider consulting a lawyer with experience representing claimants, particularly one who is experienced with ERISA if your policy is through your employer. I don't want to scare anyone but I'm now in my 2nd year fighting my LTD company and informed it could take years! When the LTD company dropped me (and the COBRA company doubled my insurance premiums), which cut my income in half! The LTD lawyer filed SSDI for me and I did get SSDI within 6 weeks of filing with the lawyer sending the paperwork in. ALWAYS HAVE THE LTD company hire a lawyer for you and have them file the SSDI because there is a Supreme Court case that rule in favor of the insured against the insurance company BUT there will be a fight in lower courts by the insurance companies to not pay which takes years! Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably . And never regret anything that made you smile. Prayers and thoughts for you and yours, Candy K.
Re: [TMIC] An unpleasant subject.
I'm so sorry to hear this news. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Gracie
Re: [TMIC] OT? - Anyone who has employee STD/LTD benefits.
Hi, Wow! So many people on the list have insurance horror stories. I am really lucky.I got my LTD less than 1 year before getting tm on 8/13/95. The physiatrist in rehab filed the LTD paperwork promptly. Also,I was told years later that using the right words in the filing was crucial. Keep EVERY bit of paper sent by the company. If you speak to someone on the phone,tell them you want the discussion and resolution backed up by a letter. Give them 10 days,and follow up with them if you don't get a letter. DON'T GIVE UP! Some companies try to wear youi down. I applied for SSD on the phone while still in rehab,and was approved right away. I started getting benefits 5 months from onset of tm. LTD got screwed up by the benefits manager at the hospital I worked at. She told me everything was all set,and I would get a check in December retroactive to August. She then left to have surgery. Apparently her mind wasn't on my claim;when I hadn't heard anything from my LTD carrier,I called and was told they would not send anything yet. I cried because I had a mortgage and overdue bills to pay. I got a certified check in the mail overnight! When I got the SSD retroactive payment in January,I had to give back all of it to LTD,since they had been giving me the total amount. My policy coverage was for a total of 60% from SSD and LTD combined. I was very fortunate. At the beginning I had to keep proving disability every 6 months,then every year,then every 18 months. I also had a thorough exam by their neurologist a few years ago.Last year they offered me a lump sum that I turned down;it would have meant losing thousands of dollars. My LTD ends 6/17/2011 on my 65th birthday. Then I start my pension from work. My LTD insurer The Hartford has been very good. Still,whenever I get something in the mail,I worry. I know a friend at work (a unit secretary) had Uno LTD insurance and she's had problems since day 1. She had loads of paperwork,and she said at the time they're trying to wear me down so I'll give up,and it's not going to happen. It's been years and they still give her a hard time. Cheryl in Easthampton,MA. --- On Wed, 8/19/09, CANDIS KALLEY cakal...@embarqmail.com wrote: From: CANDIS KALLEY cakal...@embarqmail.com Subject: [TMIC] OT? - Anyone who has employee STD/LTD benefits. To: tmic-list tmic-list@eskimo.com Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 12:55 PM First to all newbies - WELCOME Anyone with TM who has been employed and has as a benefit Short/Long Term Disability (STD/LTD) PLEASE beware of these companies - you are not safe with/from them. They will do anything to get you off your deserved payments. You need to contact a good ERISA lawyer ASAP! Here is a question from disinssues and a reply from a former insurance representative: I may be able to shed some light on this, because, I hate to admit, I used to be one of those vocational experts who evaluated LTD and workers' comp claimants to determine their employability. Typically, when a LTD policy is getting ready to move from the own-occupation phase to the any-occupation phase, a vocational expert is called in to evaluate these cases and identify jobs. It was not unusual for the LTD claims person to refer the claimant for IMEs, which, of course, greatly underestimated the impact of the person's disability on potential work. Anything vocational that is offered to a claimant by an LTD carrier would almost have to be bad news. Their entire focus is to get that person off of benefits and reduce the exposure (claim reserves). People who manage LTD claims are given hefty incentives to get claims resolved; in other words, stop or deny payment of benefits to claimants. If you request rehab services, and then do not cooperate, that alone could be grounds for termination of benefits. First and foremost, get a copy of your Summary Plan Description and read it. Go through it with a fine tooth comb. There are numerous pitfalls to LTD, and you should familiarize yourself with the terms of the policy before you begin. Case in point: I recently was contacted by a frantic woman who said she had received notification that her LTD benefits were being terminated. She had been receiving LTD benefits for five years. Three years ago, she filed a Social Security disability claim at the request of the LTD. Her claim was denied and she did not appeal. She thought that she fulfilled her responsibility and continued receiving LTD. Recently, someone at the LTD wised up and checked to see the status of her Social Security claim and found that she had never appealed the denial three years earlier. Now she is told she has been overpaid LTD in the amount of $30,000 and they are withholding benefits until the overpayment is paid back. Simply put, they got her on a technicality. Suddenly, she has no LTD and no SSD. No income at all. And since she has not worked in five years, her Date
Re: [TMIC] An unpleasant subject.
I wish you swift and easy healing, Mike! That all be well that all be well, that all be well! Akua --
Re: [TMIC] OT? - Anyone who has employee STD/LTD benefits.
Hi Cheryl, Are you saying that you've never had to go through any trouble with your LTD carrier this whole time?? That is awesome if so.? I've had TM for 10?yrs and fortunatly have LTD for the extra salary.? However, I've had quite a ride with it.? They were great to work with originally during the STD and first couple of years of LTD phase.? They even totally handled my SSDI paperwork, and quickly requested payback of their share of my retro payment once I was approved first time around.? They have since denied me several times, and I have had gruelling appeals.? There is a great deal of abuse in the disability insurance industry, many people fake it, and that makes it so hard for those of us who are seriously disabled and entitled to the insurance payment.? They also take advantage of people not having the strength to fight back and just giving up and not appealing the denial. For me, this last appeal was brutal.? I had to appeal 2 times on my own.? If I needed a third appeal, it then would be with an attorney.? That is what the Plan called for.? It was very hard to get together a worthy appeal against the insurance company while taking a good deal of medication.? I requested a copy of the medical records they had on file and were using to deny my claim.? I needed to go through my?records, and they weren't that easy to read.? There were 2 reams of paper, and so many sheets were duplicates.? It took so long, but I finally got it done the second time around.? It was about 3 years ago, and they haven't bothered me since.? I'm 58 and I hope they don't bother me again, but I wouldn't count on it. I am so much better prepared to?fight now than I was then though.? I'll give them HELL this next time. If faced with this, get support from any direction you can.? You'll?need it! Hugs, Barbara A? -Original Message- From: rn11...@yahoo.com rn11...@yahoo.com To: CANDIS KALLEY cakal...@embarqmail.com Cc: tmic-list@eskimo.com Sent: Wed, Aug 19, 2009 1:37 pm Subject: Re: [TMIC] OT? - Anyone who has employee STD/LTD benefits. Hi, ?? Wow! So many people on the list have insurance horror stories.?I am really lucky.I got my LTD less than 1 year before getting tm on 8/13/95. The physiatrist in rehab filed the LTD paperwork promptly. Also,I was told years later that using the right words in the filing was crucial. ?? Keep EVERY bit of paper sent by the company. If you speak to someone on the phone,tell them you want the discussion and resolution backed up by a letter. Give them 10 days,and follow up with them if you don't get a letter. DON'T GIVE UP! Some companies try to wear youi down. ?? I applied for SSD on the phone while still in rehab,and was approved right away. I started getting benefits 5 months from onset of tm.? ?? ?LTD got screwed up by the benefits manager at the hospital I worked at. She told me everything was all set,and I would get a check in December retroactive to August. She then left to have surgery. Apparently her mind wasn't on my claim;when I hadn't heard anything from my LTD carrier,I called and was told they would not send anything yet. I cried because I had a mortgage and overdue?bills to pay. I got a certified check in the mail overnight! ?? When I got the SSD retroactive payment in January,I had to give back all of it to LTD,since they had been giving me the total amount. ?My policy coverage was for a total of 60% from SSD and LTD combined. ?? I was very fortunate. At the beginning I had to keep proving disability every 6 months,then every year,then every 18 months. I also had a thorough exam by their neurologist a few years ago.Last year they offered me a lump sum that I turned down;it would have?meant losing thousands of dollars.?My LTD ends 6/17/2011 on my 65th birthday. Then I start my pension from work.? ?? My LTD insurer The Hartford has been very good. Still,whenever I get something in the mail,I worry. I know?a friend at work (a unit secretary) had Uno LTD insurance and she's had problems since day 1. She had loads of paperwork,and she said at the time they're trying to wear me down so I'll give up,and it's not going to happen. It's been years and they still give her a hard time. ?? Cheryl in Easthampton,MA.?? --- On Wed, 8/19/09, CANDIS KALLEY cakal...@embarqmail.com wrote: From: CANDIS KALLEY cakal...@embarqmail.com Subject: [TMIC] OT? - Anyone who has employee STD/LTD benefits. To: tmic-list tmic-list@eskimo.com Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 12:55 PM First to all newbies - WELCOME Anyone with TM who has been employed and has as a benefit Short/Long Term Disability (STD/LTD) PLEASE beware of these companies - you are not safe with/from them.? They will do anything to get you off your deserved payments.? You need to contact a good ERISA lawyer ASAP! Here is a question from disinssues and a reply from a former insurance representative: I may be able to shed some light on this,
Re: [TMIC] An unpleasant subject.
Well, I know two folks who have survived cancer of the larinx. (Yeah, close but no cigar .. ;). Both are alive and well. One is 63 y.o., the other 74. I know you can beat it as well, Mike. Regards from Elvisland, BobbyJim - Original Message - From: L T CHERPESKI To: tmic-list@eskimo.com ; jlu...@eskimo.com ; Paula Lazzeri ; Jill Hammond Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 12:06 AM Subject: Re: [TMIC] An unpleasant subject. Dear Mike, I am so very sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with this rare disease. And, yes, one would certainly think that TM in itself is enough. I have read your post 3 times, trying to absorb it. Most of us had never heard of TM when we were diagnosed with it, and I can imagine that most of us have little or no knowledge about this. I did find a great deal of information on the Mayo Clinic site. I prayed for you tonight, and please know that you will continue to be in my prayers. You are going to beat this thing. Knowledge is Power. The University of Washington is among the very best, so you're in good hands. You will be in my thoughts as you meet with the doctor Friday. Please update when you can. And thank you for sharing your email address and phone number. You've come to the right place for support. Take care, Linda - Original Message - From: Jill HammondTo: tmic-list@eskimo.com ; jlu...@eskimo.com ; Paula Lazzeri Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 9:12 PM Subject: [TMIC] An unpleasant subject. My dear TM family, Just when you thought we had enough bad things happening, I manage to get diagnosed with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma is a cancer of the sinus. It is very uncommon, not only in this country but in this part of the world. It usually occurs in oriental males. Like my primary doctor says, Leave it to you to get something weird. I guess I am going to have to do some more research on the family genealogy to find out where this one came from. Normal treatment for this type of cancer is chemotherapy and radiation. We are, at this time, getting a primary cancer care doctor and from there one who will oversee the chemo and radiation. I am going to beat this thing, but to do this I need all the help I can get. If you would all put me in your prayers it would be appreciated. I will do my best to keep everyone updated on a regular basis. Emails and calls are welcome, Email address is 3jmhamm...@clearwire.net and home phone is 360 658 5878. I am going to continue to work as I can, but I usually get pretty tired early in the afternoon. I have an appointment on Friday with a doctor at the University of Washington, and hope to know more by then. The really weird thing is that if you look this up online it comes back as being related, somehow, to Epstein-Bar Virus, and notes an immune system problem. Sound familiar? Does this mean I have been blessed once again? I don't have the email address for Dr. Kerr, but I figure he might be interested in this. If someone would forward this, please Take care everyone, Mike
Re: [TMIC] OT? - Anyone who has employee STD/LTD benefits.
YIKES! ? Howw as this a good story? I haven't had to re- prove disability. Akua --
Re: [TMIC] An unpleasant subject.
Mike, I know well how it is to always get something. When I was young I got bit by a snake and got mercury poisoning which never really leaves your system so when got bit by the mosquito and got encephalitis, I woke from the coma paralyzed from the jaw down with TM BUTwe must always pray for the best and I will surely keep you and the rest of our TM family in my prayers. I pray for a complete and speedy recovery for you. Ella
[TMIC] Re: Update on exciting spinal cord research
Did you see this news from the Reeve Foundation? The Reeve Foundation's North American Clinical Trials Network will begin a Phase 1 safety study of riluzole, a drug that is already FDA-approved for use in ALS patients. Laboratory studies have shown riluzole to be effective in protecting cells from dying immediately after a spinal cord injury. If it's possible to regrow nerves from the brain, is it also possible for those nerves to make the right connections with their target cells in the spinal cord? Regeneration alone isn't sufficient for function: regenerating axons must find their correct address! Reeve Foundation funded scientists Joel Glover and Marie-Claude Perreault are exploring this critical question using new state-of-the-art imaging to follow growing axons and map them as they connect with their targets. New drug therapies offer great promise. Reeve Foundation individual grantee, J. Marc Simard, Ph.D., is exploring whether the drug gibenclamide, long used to treat diabetes, will reduce the initial damage to the nervous system caused by a spinal cord injury. Stem cells are formidable research tools. In the Reeve Foundation Research Consortium, scientist Fred H. Gage, Ph.D., is using human embryonic stem cells to grow working spinal circuits in a dish. In the body, these circuits transmit signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles that control walking and other voluntary movements. In the dish, Dr. Gage can see what happens when the axons are cut and he can test drugs to see if they limit the damage to the axons. --
Fw: [TMIC] Thoughts and Prayers
As you wish! Have a lovely evening. Feel well nite.- Forwarded Message From: "heyjude48...@aol.com" heyjude48...@aol.comTo: camoa...@yahoo.comSent: Monday, August 17, 2009 7:28:18 PMSubject: Re: [TMIC] Thoughts and Prayers Oops! As you can see, I haven't changed and forgot to add the site's address so it would forward on so everyone could read my reply. Will you please do that for me dear? Love you, Jude In a message dated 8/10/2009 3:58:58 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, camoa...@yahoo.com writes: Rebbecca,Since Jeanne gave me such a wonderful idea of having a "prayer pot" I too will be putting you and Dennis in mine.I am glad to hear things are improving.Thoughts and Prayers,Catherine
Re: [TMIC] An unpleasant subject.
Mike, My thoughts and prayers are with you. May the Lord be with you in this battle.Thy will be done. I am here for your fight, Catherine From: Jill Hammond 3jmhamm...@clearwire.net To: tmic-list@eskimo.com; jlu...@eskimo.com; Paula Lazzeri paula.lazz...@attachmate.com Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 11:12:33 PM Subject: [TMIC] An unpleasant subject. My dear TM family, Just when you thought we had enough bad things happening, I manage to get diagnosed with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma is a cancer of the sinus. It is very uncommon, not only in this country but in this part of the world. It usually occurs in oriental males. Like my primary doctor says, “Leave it to you to get something weird”. I guess I am going to have to do some more research on the family genealogy to find out where this one came from. Normal treatment for this type of cancer is chemotherapy and radiation. We are, at this time, getting a primary cancer care doctor and from there one who will oversee the chemo and radiation. I am going to beat this thing, but to do this I need all the help I can get. If you would all put me in your prayers it would be appreciated. I will do my best to keep everyone updated on a regular basis. Emails and calls are welcome, Email address is 3jmhamm...@clearwire.net and home phone is 360 658 5878. I am going to continue to work as I can, but I usually get pretty tired early in the afternoon. I have an appointment on Friday with a doctor at the University of Washington , and hope to know more by then. The really weird thing is that if you look this up online it comes back as being related, somehow, to Epstein-Bar Virus, and notes an immune system problem. Sound familiar? Does this mean I have been blessed once again? I don’t have the email address for Dr. Kerr, but I figure he might be interested in this. If someone would forward this, please Take care everyone, Mike
Re: [TMIC] An unpleasant subject.
Mike, I'm so sorry that this has come into your life!! It seems that those of us with tm seem to be mag- nets for other immune problems. Please know that you and Jill will be in my prayers. I remember youall from Seattle in '99. My feelings were that you had a positive attitude and a sense of humor.keep it with you and know you've an army of prayers from your tm family. I'm also glad to get this mail from you, as the e-mail address I had for you was not the same as what you sent today. Please keep us updated!! TIAD!! janh Stillwater, OK --- On Tue, 8/18/09, Jill Hammond 3jmhamm...@clearwire.net wrote: My dear TM family, Just when you thought we had enough bad things happening, I manage to get diagnosed with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma is a cancer of the sinus. It is very uncommon, not only in this country but in this part of the world. It usually occurs in oriental males. Like my primary doctor says, “Leave it to you to get something weird”. I guess I am going to have to do some more research on the family genealogy to find out where this one came from. Normal treatment for this type of cancer is chemotherapy and radiation. We are, at this time, getting a primary cancer care doctor and from there one who will oversee the chemo and radiation. I am going to beat this thing, but to do this I need all the help I can get. If you would all put me in your prayers it would be appreciated. I will do my best to keep everyone updated on a regular basis. Emails and calls are welcome, Email address is 3jmhamm...@clearwire.net and home phone is 360 658 5878. I am going to continue to work as I can, but I usually get pretty tired early in the afternoon. I have an appointment on Friday with a doctor at the University of Washington , and hope to know more by then. The really weird thing is that if you look this up online it comes back as being related, somehow, to Epstein-Bar Virus, and notes an immune system problem. Sound familiar? Does this mean I have been blessed once again? I don’t have the email address for Dr. Kerr, but I figure he might be interested in this. If someone would forward this, please Take care everyone, Mike
Re: [TMIC] An unpleasant subject.
Mike, So sorry to hear you also have cancer - TM is bad enough for anyone!I wish you all the strength, stamina, and best luck you can stand!!I also know someone who has beaten this type of cancer and is now doing great. You will have many prayers and thoughts for you and your wife. God Bless. Janice - Original Message - From: Jill Hammond To: tmic-list@eskimo.com ; jlu...@eskimo.com ; Paula Lazzeri Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 10:12 PM Subject: [TMIC] An unpleasant subject. My dear TM family, Just when you thought we had enough bad things happening, I manage to get diagnosed with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma is a cancer of the sinus. It is very uncommon, not only in this country but in this part of the world. It usually occurs in oriental males. Like my primary doctor says, Leave it to you to get something weird. I guess I am going to have to do some more research on the family genealogy to find out where this one came from. Normal treatment for this type of cancer is chemotherapy and radiation. We are, at this time, getting a primary cancer care doctor and from there one who will oversee the chemo and radiation. I am going to beat this thing, but to do this I need all the help I can get. If you would all put me in your prayers it would be appreciated. I will do my best to keep everyone updated on a regular basis. Emails and calls are welcome, Email address is 3jmhamm...@clearwire.net and home phone is 360 658 5878. I am going to continue to work as I can, but I usually get pretty tired early in the afternoon. I have an appointment on Friday with a doctor at the University of Washington, and hope to know more by then. The really weird thing is that if you look this up online it comes back as being related, somehow, to Epstein-Bar Virus, and notes an immune system problem. Sound familiar? Does this mean I have been blessed once again? I don't have the email address for Dr. Kerr, but I figure he might be interested in this. If someone would forward this, please Take care everyone, Mike
