The Alchemist (Jeremy) Could Use Our Help

I was in Private Messaging with Jeremy the other day, talking about music and Hi-Res. Some 'In Real Life' stuff came up that I was not aware of. It had slipped under my radar and I thought that I may not be the only one. I asked Jeremy if I could create a thread to increase awareness of his situation. He said yes.

The following is slightly edited from Jeremy's PM post:

"I don't mind members and other visitors to know my condition, I love SBAF and I have a lot of friends and members I trust and I do not mind if they knew what is going on with me, in fact, a lot of them may want to know.

I need surgery so I can maybe walk again and have at least limited use of my left arm. My condition is this:

I need surgery, my left arm is useless and I have to use a cane and crutches to walk because my bones are very brittle, thus I have been having a difficult time getting on the site as much and as often as I used to. My condition is called Osteogenesis imperfecta or commonly known as brittle bone disease

I was told that if I cannot start making payments, that they will no longer treat me and I will be unable to get the surgery. It seems like the medical bills just keep piling up, and since my Doctor basically said that I am disabled, I can no longer work, making things extremely difficult. If anyone would like to donate and are able to help me out, they can donate here:

https://www.gofundme.com/ff-medical-expenses "

 

Tough situation. Does wherever you're receiving treatment have a social worker? You may qualify for Medicaid, and a social worker would be most aware of what is achievable in your state. See if there's a federally qualified health center (FQHC) in your area. They usually have social workers who can help navigate the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system.

Can also go online to you state's healthcare exchange and enter your income and see what kind of subsidies/support you can get.

If the doctor says you are disabled, you should sign up for SSDI - social security disability insurance. It will offer a fixed amount. If you are initially denied, you have a right to an appeal.

I am not an expert, but this is what a friend in the healthcare industry suggested. You definitely need a social worker / case manager. Wishing you the best.

 

Yes, it was actually my doctor who suggested I apply for Medicaid. He even wrote a letter to the social worker or whoever the lady is in charge of helping me apply for Medicaid that I was permanently disabled. The lady said that I will most likely be able to get Medicaid, but it can take some time before I actually get it, she said they were very slow about getting those things approved, she said she wasn't certain how long. She said sometimes it is rather quick, other times it can take months before people get approved, however she said since the doctor wrote a letter about my condition along with my application, they may make my case a priority. The only thing is, is that once I get Medicaid, it will not cover any past medical bills I have incurred up until I get Medicaid. The good news is, she said that my chances are extremely good at being approved, especially with the doctor's letter. That would be a TREMENDOUS help for my medical situation. I have to go back to the hospital in the morning for an MRI and more x-rays. I swear I have had so many of those MRI's and x-rays that the radiation will kill me before anything else.

I want to personally and sincerely thank everyone here at SBAF for being here for me and offering support, just being able to talk about this helps me psychologically and helps give me strength to make it through this. If I get the metal rods put in my legs and left arm, I may not be able to function like I used to, but at least I will be able to walk and not have to be stuck in this damned wheelchair and I may be able to actually type on a keyboard with two hands.

Again, I want to thank everyone who has been there for me for moral support as well as your generous donations o help me pay these medical bills. I don't know what I would have done without you guys. I will never forget the generosity and support all of you have given me. I will get my mom or son to take some pictures of me and I will post them here so you can see what I am dealing with. It is horrible, I cannot leave the house except to go to the hospital for my tests and even then, they have to take me by ambulance, and that is around $525 or so each trip so financially it is killing me. So hopefully once I get Medicaid (which both the doctor and social worker said I will probably get approved for) that would be a miracle and will help cover my treatments.

I thank you all for your moral support, and for willing to talk to me about my situation. Just talking with you guys will helps me and gives me hope that I will make it through this. So from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all.

- Jeremy