Jessica's Update:
10/18/2006
First I’d like to apologize for taking so long to update this! Things have been pretty hectic lately. Brian is really doing great. He continues to surpass all expectations. Yay Brian! He is still in and out. He may be very responsive one minute and very lethargic the next. I have been one of the lucky few who have seen those brown eyes opened up all the way. Monday night I was up there asking him yes/no questions and he was able to answer with a nod or a shake of his head. (In case you’re wondering, he’s ready for a Disneyland vacation too!) It’s so exciting to be able to communicate with him! Tonight he seemed very sleepy, so I couldn’t get too much out of him. But he has been through a lot, so I am going to give him a little slack.
I met with a representative from the Shepard Center yesterday afternoon. I really want him to get accepted into this program. They are among the best brain rehabilitation centers in the country. And it’s right here in Atlanta! Their success rate is very high. They only have 20 beds in the Brain Trauma part of the center. So there is, of course, a waiting list. It is a 4 week program so the turn around is pretty quick. There is also the dilemma of Brian not having health insurance.
His brother (Danny) and I filled out all the paper work to get the process of Medicaid started.. We also applied for Social Security and Disability. But it takes up to 5 months before you get approval. Wouldn’t you know it, but you have to get approved for Social Security before you can get approved for Medicaid.........I was on the phone with several different people this morning. Most giving me the run around or telling me I had to speak to the person I just spoke to who told me to call the person I was currently talking to...... ( I hope that made some sense!).....it’s very frustrating. I did finally get someone who took the time to help me (THANK YOU PHYLLIS!!).
The good news is the center will accept Brian even if his Medicaid is pending. The big thing is what is in his chart. If the Dr. notes in his chart that he will be disabled for a year or more, that will basically guarantee his acceptance. But at this point it looks as though everything is in order (Keep your fingers crossed and pray) . It will be 2-3 weeks before a bed becomes available. He will remain at Kennestone until that time. I’m not sure if he will continue is stay in ICU or if he’ll be moved to another room. After he completes the 4 week live-in portion of the program he will be coming home!!! He may even be home for the holiday’s. There is another out patient program in Decatur in which he will go to daily (M-F) for 4-5 hours of physical therapy and rehab. It will be a ton of hard work- but it will be very worth it.
Within the next month Olivia and I will be moving into a larger ground level apartment. In case Brian is in a wheelchair temporally or struggles with stairs he will be able to navigate the entrance to his home. He will have his own space to rest and heal. I will most likely need lots of help when he comes home. I’d like to try to work out a schedule with people who will be able to stay with him when I have to be at work and so forth. There is a lot of time to work all that out, but I did want to put that out there. So if you’re willing, and have a week day free every now and then, please let me know! :) I’d also like to let everyone know we are trying to organize a fund raiser. I will provide more info as it becomes available. Also, if you know ways of pushing along the Social Security approval process, I will be forever in your debt if you share the secret with me!
Thank you again to everyone who has been there for me through this all. Brian and my families, friends, acquaintances, anonymous strangers....everyone. I am so touched, and grateful for all your support. Every form of support. Please keep praying and staying positive for Brian. He really is doing so great. He is very strong. He wants to live. He wants to get better. He wants to be here to see what an amazing beautiful woman our daughter is going to grow up to be. Every person reading this want all of those things for him. He wouldn’t have come this far this fast if it weren’t for everyone being behind him. So keep up the good work everybody!!!
Thank you again,
Jessica
First I’d like to apologize for taking so long to update this! Things have been pretty hectic lately. Brian is really doing great. He continues to surpass all expectations. Yay Brian! He is still in and out. He may be very responsive one minute and very lethargic the next. I have been one of the lucky few who have seen those brown eyes opened up all the way. Monday night I was up there asking him yes/no questions and he was able to answer with a nod or a shake of his head. (In case you’re wondering, he’s ready for a Disneyland vacation too!) It’s so exciting to be able to communicate with him! Tonight he seemed very sleepy, so I couldn’t get too much out of him. But he has been through a lot, so I am going to give him a little slack.
I met with a representative from the Shepard Center yesterday afternoon. I really want him to get accepted into this program. They are among the best brain rehabilitation centers in the country. And it’s right here in Atlanta! Their success rate is very high. They only have 20 beds in the Brain Trauma part of the center. So there is, of course, a waiting list. It is a 4 week program so the turn around is pretty quick. There is also the dilemma of Brian not having health insurance.
His brother (Danny) and I filled out all the paper work to get the process of Medicaid started.. We also applied for Social Security and Disability. But it takes up to 5 months before you get approval. Wouldn’t you know it, but you have to get approved for Social Security before you can get approved for Medicaid.........I was on the phone with several different people this morning. Most giving me the run around or telling me I had to speak to the person I just spoke to who told me to call the person I was currently talking to...... ( I hope that made some sense!).....it’s very frustrating. I did finally get someone who took the time to help me (THANK YOU PHYLLIS!!).
The good news is the center will accept Brian even if his Medicaid is pending. The big thing is what is in his chart. If the Dr. notes in his chart that he will be disabled for a year or more, that will basically guarantee his acceptance. But at this point it looks as though everything is in order (Keep your fingers crossed and pray) . It will be 2-3 weeks before a bed becomes available. He will remain at Kennestone until that time. I’m not sure if he will continue is stay in ICU or if he’ll be moved to another room. After he completes the 4 week live-in portion of the program he will be coming home!!! He may even be home for the holiday’s. There is another out patient program in Decatur in which he will go to daily (M-F) for 4-5 hours of physical therapy and rehab. It will be a ton of hard work- but it will be very worth it.
Within the next month Olivia and I will be moving into a larger ground level apartment. In case Brian is in a wheelchair temporally or struggles with stairs he will be able to navigate the entrance to his home. He will have his own space to rest and heal. I will most likely need lots of help when he comes home. I’d like to try to work out a schedule with people who will be able to stay with him when I have to be at work and so forth. There is a lot of time to work all that out, but I did want to put that out there. So if you’re willing, and have a week day free every now and then, please let me know! :) I’d also like to let everyone know we are trying to organize a fund raiser. I will provide more info as it becomes available. Also, if you know ways of pushing along the Social Security approval process, I will be forever in your debt if you share the secret with me!
Thank you again to everyone who has been there for me through this all. Brian and my families, friends, acquaintances, anonymous strangers....everyone. I am so touched, and grateful for all your support. Every form of support. Please keep praying and staying positive for Brian. He really is doing so great. He is very strong. He wants to live. He wants to get better. He wants to be here to see what an amazing beautiful woman our daughter is going to grow up to be. Every person reading this want all of those things for him. He wouldn’t have come this far this fast if it weren’t for everyone being behind him. So keep up the good work everybody!!!
Thank you again,
Jessica
posted by Jamie at 10:50 AM
2 Comments:
Hi Jessica,
I am a social worker and have dealt with social security over and over again with many of the families that I work with - unfortunately, you are not the only person who gets the runaround. Just know that even though it takes some time, it will happen for those who need it - Brian certainly being one of them. I continue to pray for your family everyday. Maybe the hospital has nice social workers that can help you with this process - if you haven't talked with them before now, it might be something to try.
Love,
Shannon
(jamie's friend)
Jessica,
PLEASE let me know when you are planning on making the move to a ground level apartment. It would be my pleasure to help you with your move....I might not look strong but I have become an excellent packer and mover! :)
I love you guys and please know that Will and I will do as much as humanly possible to help your family.
Love always,
Lindsay Hodges
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