RBNYC (Rene) Needs Our Help!!!!

[matcom]

She just called me. She is doing as well as can be expected. She received and LOVE the flowers we sent.

Now. She needs REAL help.

They are (apparently) FINANCIALLY STRAPPED.

we MUST help them SOMEHOW.

she will be out of work for many weeks (AT BEST). this is NOT HER asking for help, rather ME.

i don't know how to put this together so I need HELP!!

they are hurting and WE need to step up to the plate (IF WE/YOU CAN)

IDEAS???SUGGESTIONS???DONATIONS???HELP???

PLEASE???????

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DagmarK]

1. Unemployment benefits?

In most states they cover you even for temporary unemployment.......

[polmaven]

6. But you need to be

able and eligible to work...at least here in Massachusetts.

Matcom...I take it she has no STD or LTD wage replacement insurance from her employer? Most employers, other than temp agencies (which I work for)offer at least STD, unless the employee is part time.

Also, what about the car insurance...If there is any, that will usually pay for at least some of the lost wages.

[lcordero]

2. hospital address?

[Amaya]

3. Don't got much

But I'll help out! :)

[ulysses]

4. can't do too much

but count me in.

[lastliberalintexas]

5. A few ideas

First, we obviously take up a collection for her. Maybe we can send the money to her through her mom. I'm sorry- I've seen her post, but I can't remember her name. It doesn't have to be much if we can get a large group tp donate, just whatever anyone can afford. We just need someone in NYC with a POB who we can send the money/checks to.

Also, was she employed at the time of her accident? Has she lost her job b/c of the accident? If she was employed at the time, she may/should qualify for short term disability (STD) benefits if her employer offered them. They probably won't pay much, but anything will help.

If she lost her job recently, she should qualify for unemployment comp.

Also, either her auto insurance or the other driver's insurance should (hopefully) offer benefits to cover lost wages as well as the medical expenses. This is tricky for me to say, since the benefits provided will depend on the actual terms of the policies involved. She should definitely check EVERY insurance policy which may cover the accident to see if she can recover something to help her until she's released by the docs.

And again, someone in that area or her mom just need to let us know where to send the moolah. I hope she's feeling better anyway, and that they've given her some meds for the pain. :)

[Shrek]

7. This is possible and even easy

Ask her to create a PayPal account (it's free) and provide the address. Anyone who's interested can then send her cash right over the web, in any amount small or large.

I've used it for a couple of years to quickly and painlessly send funds. Works great.

[kainah]

9. That's a really good idea, DoubleDigitIQ

maybe even good enough to earn you a third digit. :-)

That would make it very easy to send her what each of us can afford to contribute financially as well as our ideas about sources for more steady means of support.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

8. New York has state disability insurance

PRovided she was actually an employee of the non-profits where she worked. The first step is applying for them. Deductions were taken from her pay check so she should be eligible, she has worked there for a while I think.

I do recall we set up a program before on DU but don't know if Skinner would be open to it. IF DU were, it would be ideal because it would make credit card donations easier.

IF not, I have NO idea how to set up PAYPAL but would certainly be willing to contribute.

[Rowdyboy]

10. 100% in agreement...

Would be happy to help if needed. I've experienced this wedding online for quite some time and I almost feel a part of it. It would be my priviledge, in lieu of a wedding gift.

[enough]

11. Can someone explain, please --

What is this all about?

Thank you.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

17. RBNYC was in a automobile accident last week

and got married in Stony Brook University hospital this weekend. She is pretty banged up and will be there for a while.

[MuseRider]

12. Sorry, I don't know what this is about?

I don't know how I could have possibly missed something but this I did. What does she need? Let us know.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. Update..I just spoke with her

A nurse came in while we were on the phone. I had her ask the nurse if they had a social worker there at the hospital who could get the ball rolling on having her receive state disability, When she spoke to you, Matt, she didn't know she was eligible and thought she had to go through her employer. That is not the case.

The hospital will send a social worker by in the morning so she can get her physicians to fill out a state disability form and mail it in.

She was working full time and another part time job so hopefully she should be eligible for the maximium she can collect.

She doesn't want anyone to feel like terrible things are going to happen if they don't contribute but they are in a bit of a bind so ..say..for instance..100 people contributed 5, 10 or 20 dollars...that would be a HUGE help given that she will be in rehab for probably six weeks and disabled who knows how long.

[soleft]

15. I think the pay pal idea sounds like a great idea

[matcom]

21. THANK YOU NSMA!!!

for the update.

i don't have the time to set up a PayPal for them. if somebody could, that would be the best.

any takers?

[soleft]

22. I think it would be better if Rene's husband were able to set up

the account. That way it would go straight into their bank account and people would probably be more inclined to contribute if they knew it wasn't going thru a middle man. I'm going to try and call Rene today, I will mention it to her.

[matcom]

23. FANTASTIC IDEA!!!

thank you! :hi:

[blm]

27. That does sound best.

Saves time, too.

[Susang]

14. Does she have a PayPal account?

That's how DUers have helped others in the past. Let me know if you get anything arranged, I'll be glad to help! :-)

[Ellen Forradalom]

16. Count me in.

We take care of our own.

[KCDem]

18. I'd be happy to chip in.

:kick:

My heart goes out to her.

Just a question... I guess that FL now takes care of fetuses... does the fact that she's pregnant in NY help at all as far as getting funding? That's one angle to go with. I think if all DUers who know Rene and can contribute some bucks do, that'd help a ton... but, let's be realistic--hospital bills are outrageous, and she needs more than we can do.

Whoever's organizing the paypal drive... PM me and let me know what to do!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

19. NY is a no fault state and the parties were insured so the

hospital bills will most probably not be an issue. She is already working on that.

It's mostly their survival...things like rent, food and the like..after all she was paying off her wedding expenses when this happened.

[elcondor]

20. We could also work with the paper that

did a story on her and her wedding. I'm sure the paper will be receiving letters from people in the area that want to help too. Someone should contact them when the paypal account is set up and see if they could either do a follow-up story or at least direct those interested the right way. I would be happy to help in any small way I can when/if the account is set up. :-)

[flama]

24. Good news from RBNYC!!!

Her full-time employer cancelled her vacation. No, they don't expect her to report for work on Monday as much as she'd like to be there. They are listing her absence under "emergency sick leave." That means she will get full pay, not just for three weeks, but for the extent of her recuperation.

Mat, she told me about your cry for help. She asked me to let you know that things are looking brighter. She really felt horrid to think that the DUers she loves felt the need to pass a plate for her.

Just think how much she'll save on commuting! (We discussed all the things she won't be buying while she's off work.) She won't be buying lunch or pantyhose. She'll be saving on shoe leather, too, but only one shoe. ;-)

Really want to help her out? Show the same solidarity behind a viable Presidential candidate as you have drummed up behind her. Meanwhile, love and good thoughts will get her through this. You are filled with both.

Thank you for caring so much for the love of my life.

Ma

[GOPisEvil]

26. That's a great employer!

This is good news!!! :bounce:

Things look better by the day!

[northofdenali]

25. I'm in, matcom -

Just tell me where to send funds. :loveya: for getting the ball rolling. Rene - we're gonna be here for you!