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Dear Mary and PIEN subscribers, I had two off-periods while called as a Witness , in the Maine DHS Hearing Room, before the Court today for 4 hours. Maine is putting me through an ordeal that goes on and on, so I am not able to get enough time for positive energy to flow and create. Maine doesn't seem to understand that I am NOT going to give in to being stuck away in a nursing home. The State ,and also the provider of paychecks to my workers, the ALpha One Independent Living Center, are trying to chop out 8 hours/day of my 13 daily hours of personal care attendant (PCA) assistance. I have had 13 since 1998. I spent a large amount of time explaining and illustrating the meaning of "off-period" "low period" freezing episode" and dyskinesia when I was being cross-examined. I elaborated on how these different states affect PWP's. Much of my evaluation centered on substantiating my claim that I am more disabled than I appear to be when I appear in public. I explained what it means to "fine-tune" your medications while remaining in conversation with your physician. I was sworn in, answered questions for my attorney from the Disability Rights Center, Paul Tuttle of Lousiana, and questioned very hostilely by the Asst, Atty-General Ross. I said on the record (while being taped) that the 10/20 assessment felt like an interrogation and confession forced out of a totally innocent and unsuspecting person. I was shocked when my neurologist's affidavit was invalidated andobjected to because it had no date on it (but it was dated on the FAX cover sheet), and tossed out; my primary witness's affidavit , a social worker's statement about my health for the last six months, was excluded because it supposedly did not cover the assessment week in October. I am on consumer-directed Medicaid waiver for the physically disabled. The state's star witness, Ms. Baldwin, interprets the Medicaid rules, sets thelow PCA pay rate and is in charge of my case. She does not want me to drive , nor get around town by asking PCA's to drive me except to stores for food, banks , ie NO recreational, leisure and social activities are acceptable. My mental health and social well-being is somehow forgotten. Ms. Baldwin objects to my asking my PCAfor help to prepare to go to synagogue, and she specifically does NOT want me to sing in the choir with PCA help. Otherwise it could be fraud. So she wants me to be confined to my house, except for when friends are helping me. The two opposing attorneys were given 10 days to submit written closing arguments about my future. I am so glad this testifying job is over- at least it seems like I will not have to have the case re-opened in front of the Court. Ivan Mfowethu Suzman On Mon, 1 Jan 2001 09:56:46 -0500 Mary Ann Ryan <[log in to unmask]> writes: > > And what happens if I have a freezing > > episode in the hearing room? > > Ivan, a freezing episode just might convince the court. Think > about having > one. > ----- > God bless > Mary Ann ^^^^^^ WARM GREETINGS FROM ^^^^^^^^^^^^ :-) Ivan Suzman 51/39/36 [log in to unmask] :-) Portland, Maine land of lighthouses deg. F :-) ********************************************************************