Unemployed Friend with No Insurance Has Health Issues.I feel Helpless!

[romantico]

About five years ago I posted a story about a friend of mine who suffered from clinical depression and was having problems. I got so much helpful advice and relayed it to him. However, he ended up committing suicide about 2 months later at the age of 61. I knew I had done everything I could for him but coming here to DU for advice and support really helped me. Now,I have another friend in need and was hoping someone here could give me some advice or suggestions.

My friend is 42 and moved back home with his Mom a few years ago.I've noticed he has had trouble off and on walking but never pushed the issue. About a year ago he opened up and told me he has limited use of his legs. He has good days and bad days. Some days he can walk with no limp or problems. Other days he can barely walk. He said this started 5 years ago but after suffering for a year or so it actually got better. It's only been within the past year it has gotten worse. He worked up until a year or so ago but his employer offered no insurance. He had to eventually quit because he had trouble lifting items and walking. He's been living off money he has saved and is selling things on ebay and other places.He has said he can not work until he gets well,which I tend to agree.

About 3 weeks ago he noticed his feet and ankles swelling up. He showed me his ankles and I tried to remain calm because I did not want to upset him anymore.He has a rash and it does not look very good..Sounds like an infection. This guy keeps to himself ,is very private,and never asks for help.So,when he opened up and told me about this and asked me what he can do I knew it was serious. Despite all of this he is a pretty optimistic guy. He would give you the shirt off his back and in the 15 years I have known him I've never seen him worry about anything until now.I guess having a friend five years ago who I thought was getting better commit suicide keeps going through my head.I suggested to him to go to a Doctor and worry about paying later.I know that sounds reckless but when you are desperate you have little options.Not only has he always had a fear of Doctors but he worries how he would pay for treatment if he did see a Doctor. I've suggested health clinics,applying for disability,calling the town social worker or even start calling Doctor offices and telling them his problem.

If anyone here at DU can suggest ANYTHING,I would be grateful. Many thanks.

[Scuba]

1. Take him to Paul Ryan's house, or perhaps the Governor of your State...

...call the Press and make sure they show up. Have friends video the whole thing.

Then take him to an appropriate care site.

[Hotler]

2. Kicking for your friend. There has to be clinic somewhere he can get help.

Thirty some views and I'm the only one so far to chime in. Even on DU the "I have mine fuck everyone else" attitude is alive and well. Until it effects me and my family i'm not getting involved. Things will not change until thousands of people take to streets in every state.

[Le Taz Hot]

7. How about many of us are in the same

boat and don't have answers and are reading this thread in the hopes of finding a solution? :eyes:

[Hotler]

19. I doubt you have the "I have mine" attitude. I have friends that are

so called liberal and have the attitude. I don't know what I can do to help being in Denver. If I can PM me.

[LiberalEsto]

3. Are you anywhere near Newtown, CT?

Free clinic for adults:

http://www.kevinscommunitycenter.org/

also Google Connecticut free medical clinics and you'll find others.

Could your friend have Lyme disease? I have a couple of friends with it and they have had trouble walking due to neuropathy.

Good luck!

[bobbolink]

4. Applying for disabiility -- Does he have a few years to devote to that?

Getting disability is a long, slow, and fruatrating process.

And the end is nowhere near guaranteed, no matter how unable to work a person is.

[Fire1]

5. Not a doctor but it sounds like some degree of liver failure.

Whether it is or not, he needs treatment and social services sounds like his best option.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

6. I'd suggest first contacting your states Department of Social Services

They'll be able to direct you to programs, if they exist, in your area.

[bobbolink]

8. "If they exist" being the operative words.

It will be an education to find that what everyone thinks is in place, often isn't.

[romantico]

9. Thanks

Thanks for the replies. Social services was the only thing I could think of. I have insurance and even though it is not the greatest,I am thankful that I am at least healthy. My heart goes out to those who don't have anything. I know his Mom works and has insurance. I thought maybe she could put him on her insurance(although I bet her rates would go up) Thanks again for the replies!

[Snoutport]

10. marry him and put him on your insurance!

[Zorra]

11. This is why I want my tax money to go to human services.

Things like this are going on 24/7 all over the country, and it is a national disgrace.

Sometimes there are little known state assistance resources available that are not readily apparent and take some work to find, you may get lucky. A friend of mine with severe hearing loss got hearing aids for free because another friend that was familiar with state systems steered him to the right agency.

[raccoon]

12. K&R. nt

[w8liftinglady]

13. OK, nurse here.

Hopefully,I can help.
Agreed... get him to a teaching hospital ASAP- he sounds like he has a combo neuro disorder/liver disease. If he is suffering from MS- there ARE treatments. The teaching hospitals generally receive state and federal funding. I wish you lived in Dallas County- I would immediately refer you to Parkland Hospital.
The great things about teaching hospitals- they have social workers who can enlist the patient in every program that exists.
They are great about getting the patient through the door.
have him enter the ER with complaints of chest pain,increasing shortness of breath. Have him prepare to be admitted for a work up. Most states have county facillities that accept uninsured patients. I hate to say he needs to go through the ER,but reality is what it is.

[W_HAMILTON]

14. Maybe I am missing something...

...but can't he go to the ER? With the swelling and rash, it sounds like an emergency.

Take him to the ER and do not be swayed by the possible costs. The emergency room is to treat people with emergencies, regardless of their ability to pay.

[Yo_Mama]

15. You are in CT

http://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2345&q=304888&dssNav=|

That gives you the link to the regional offices if he is also in CT.

If he cannot find a doctor (there should be some clinics that will take him) he should go to the ER.

Please contact social services. Depending on his degree of impairment, he may qualify for disability and Medicaid, but obviously he needs to see a doctor.

If he had to quit work because he was physically unable to work, he may be disabled. The social services offices should at least be able to refer to clinics and give a referral to a local office that can review what services are currently available to him now and what services he perhaps should apply for.

Best of luck to him, and thanks to you for being a good friend.

[w8liftinglady]

16. also-If you can make it to Yale/New Haven ER- DO IT!

http://www.ynhh.org/

They have Nobel Prize winning physicians on staff in cardiology,neurology and hepatology...the big three you need.

[romantico]

17. Thanks

Thanks! We both live in the Hartford area and I did a Google search and found some names.I need to make sure I do not come across as taking charge or anything but I do want him to know this is serious without worrying him too much. Thanks again for the helpful advice.

[undeterred]

18. I agree with the advice about taking him to a teaching hospital ER

Even though his life may not be in immediate danger, they will be able to recognize a serious condition that requires treatment, and most importantly, they will know what resources are available in your state for someone in his situation: no insurance. If it is life threatening, they are obligated to treat him. But if it is not, I think they will do their level best to hook him up with whatever treatment they can, especially if he is asking for it.

It might be a long wait, or it might mean going home and waiting for a phone call, or it might mean going home and making some phone calls. But I'd be really surprised if you'd leave the ER without some kind of game plan for getting him the treatment he needs. It might mean waiting a few weeks, it might mean driving a ways, but where there is a will, there is a way.

Thanks for being such a good friend. All the best.

[librechik]

20. most states have a program to help the indigent disabled. Call your state social services office

immediately and ask for help. They can give you better direction than we can.

[madmom]

21. Here is a link to help find a low/no cost health care center in your area..good luck

http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx