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Ivan, It troubles me to think the government feels it necessary to put you through this ordeal. If there is anything I can do please let me know. Why don't they put a video camera on you for 24 hrs. to see what you are really like? Greg 48/35/35 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ivan M Suzman" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2001 12:17 AM Subject: Re: People's Court drama for PWP today > 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 :-) > ******************************************************************** >