Help me Help Others in Rural America!!! Resources Needed!!!

[mightymax]

Resources In Need!!!
I was diagnosed in May of 2005. However I became sick in 2003 and was unable to continue working. I now know what has caused my inability to work: HIV....  In the mean time I have been on a roller coaster trying to keep my head above water. Simply trying to survive and pay my bills. In rural eastern NC, resources are simply not easily available. I have to drive 35 miles just to see my doctor, psychiatrist and my Case Manager. I am lucky I guess, I have a vehicle. I was recently told by my Case Manager though that patients are now on their own when it comes to transportation expenses. I cannot mention the number of complaints that I have with my Case Manager. I have a problem with this as well as many other treatment assistance programs. 

I want to change that. I guess what I am asking is for any Case Managers, Patients, or anyone else who can help me find the resources to help those that are in need. DESPERATELY IN NEED!!! I need to know how all funding from the government is handled and just what it is that Case Managers are responsible for. What is their Job? Who pays their salary as well as their office staff's salary? Who pays the rent on their office?  What can they help a client pay and how much?, How often?

I now see that there is an extreme need for those in rural America. I intend to make a difference. I spend most of my day trying to find more and more resources but simply run into a brick wall. I know in time that wall WILL come down. In the mean time please, anyone with any information that I might use to start, open, or develop a successful treatment assistance program for Rural America, Please Help!!!!

[Iggy]

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[Kellyjep]

RE: WE MUST TAKE ACTION!

I live in Columbia, SC.  Our state has an ADAP waiting list of over 350+.  The only other state with a waiting list is Alaska with 16 on there list.  Four people have already died.  I did a TV interview, a front page article in "The State Newspaper", and the New York Times.  I am full blown, have been in the hospital numerous times and I have been turned down for medicaid twice, SSI, and am living in an emergency winter shelter exposed to all sort of germs that can lead to more hospital stays.  Write, email, or call your state Representatives.  I have even emailed the speaker of the house, Nancy Pelosi, A PWA friendly U.S. Gov't official.  If we want to take action I suggest bombarding her with e-mails, and demand that our Federal Government provide the funding we need for Ryan White Funding.  If you stay silent you risk dying as well as others that can't get the resources we need!!!!! E-mail US.GOV and go Speaker of the House.

[MountainCowboy]

very similar situation here, but its not the individual case managers, they have there hands tied, all programs are being cut like crazy, and the republicans have even removed HIV from the news, except in africa, like its no longer an issue here, I for one am not looking towards politicians to give a damn, not gonna happen, Id like to find more in my rural area, to band together and strengthen our ability to get good housing and tend to ourselves. I'm looking into getting a farmhouse and some land in TN where it is Much cheaper and nicer, and looking for a few others to help with this goal, and help each other, intrested, shoot me an email (GaMountainCwby@yahoo.com) I don't believe any governmental program is going to care to help, this administration had much rather see us die on off, and they are working hard to achieve that goal, and its working real well thus far

[kinstpete]

I cant imagine, ok well I can, after I found out I moved to Downtown St Petersburg Florida because of the many reasons you mention.  I was five blocks from county social services, and food stamp office.  and One bus from my case manager.    This worked fine unrtil my other issue surfaced, need for a new hip.  I was Lucky that I am a vet and elibible for VA medical coverage.   Even living close to all those services life was rough.  It has taken three and half years to get infront of a Social Securtiy Judge and still no telling how many more months until final decision and income.  www.thesmartride.org  is a fund raiser for the KEYS.  I will be attending this year and hope to learn how to create something closer to home ie Tampa Bay area.