Thank you so much, Chuck, for this detailed, personal account of what you
and Joyce went through. i admire your resolution, toughness, and
persistence,

Planning for a future of increasing disability is one of the most daunting
aspects of PD.

I wonder if anyone has found good resources on this topic.

Kathleen

2009/6/6 <[log in to unmask]>

>
> This is Chuck using Joyce's membership to sign on.
>
>
>
> After nearly 28 years with PD, Joyce is still with us in (almost) fine
> condition.
>
>
> After personally funding her live-in companion(s) since 1996 it was
> impossible to continue
> and I had to seek alternative ideas.
>
> Some of you might remember my sadness to have to make the decision to
> divorce Joyce in order to make
> a Medicaid application for assistance.    Finally I had no  choice and we
> were divorced in 2007.
>
> What followed was the most difficult financial audit in my  lifetime.
> having a private business I was subjected to state and  federal
> examinations
> including state sales tax audits.   I passed all  without exemption!!!
>
> Nothing can compare to a medicaid audit.   I hired the top  medicaid lawyer
> in South Carolina, called many times to testify in front of  state
> appellate and federal level counts including the US Supreme court for
>  medicaid
> cases.  She knows her stuff.
>
> The current look back is five years but she found a provision to narrow it
> to three....big deal...!!
>
> Folks,  if anyone is considering applying to Medicaid be ready to  provide
> in duplicate and triplicate every single transaction from whatever  source
> which can be shown which could be thought of as a way to reduce the
> beneficiaries assets.   For me it was a five month process and a  dossier
> of nearly
> 4 inches of papers.  EVERYTHING  financial over $1000 was requested in more
> than one  direction.  What made it soooo difficult was that the three years
> prior  included years that we were married and co mingled  investment and
> bank  accounts.  Ouch.
>
> Items such as helping our son's wedding,  our other son's car down  payment
> and many more normal family actions that were NOT accepted because in
> effect it was considered a gift.     believe me this  sucked.
>
> If any lives in South Carolina there is another program under which the
> patient can apply and which is for the most part not publicly advertised.
> I
> will supply the info if you ask me.   The criteria is similar but  has some
> leeway that straight medicaid does not have.
>
> After 4 months she was accepted for 1/2 of the benefits...medical and
> medicine...leaving the actual living expenses in a nursing home (assisted
> living
>  is not covered)   up in the air.   The bills kept coming but  since we
> didn't know if we were accepted how far back they would  cover.    so i
> never
> paid anything except her personal care  items.
>
> I contacted the state ombudslady who after hearing and reading my letter
> asking for her support agreed to act on my behalf...the lawyer was against
> a
> brick wall...
>
> It worked and with a lot of tears from the lawyer, ambudslady and  ME  last
> week I received notice that she qualified for the missing link and  I was
> totally free of ALL expenses.
>
> Joyce is now living in a nursing home in Columbia, South Carolina, using  a
> power wheelchair to get around and which opened a new world for  her.   Her
> PD symptoms continue as was for years and years...no use of  her legs
> complicated by the loss of the use of her right hand due to an car
>  accident.
> She is the life of the party, knows everyone,   just received an honor for
> redesigning and reorganizing the library,   credited with starting a maj
> jong
> game club..and known as somebody who will  always bring a smile to anyone
> near.
>
> Nobody every accepts PD or a nursing home but she has made peace with
> herself...i think...
>
> We remain closest friends and I am thankful to my current wife who  totally
> supports my efforts and actions for Joyce.   Although they  havent met,
> Joyce continually sends her thanks to us both.
>
> If anyone is interested in writing to her, and although she cant write
> back,  she will dictate to me and Ill answer all mail.    I  will give her
> address to anyone interested who requests it to Joyce's private  email
> at   [log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask])
>
>
> I had to share this experience for those who find themselves facing
> financial disaster due to the care giving expenses which will keep
>  mounting.
> The thought of divorce was the hardest but something that  MUST be done,
>
> good luck to all..
>
> Chuck  CG Joyce  first dx 1981  now 65 years  old.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> **************Stay connected and tighten your budget with a great mobile
> device for under $50. Take a Peek!
> (
> http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100122638x1221845911x1201401556/aol?redir=http://www.getpeek.com/aol
> )
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:
> [log in to unmask]
> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
>

----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn