Does anyone have advice for disableds who live alone?

-- (lars@indy.net), September 06, 1999

Answers

Not to be a smart aleck, but you have three choices; find someone to prepare for you, do it for yourself, or do nothing.

-- Vern (bacon17@ibm.net), September 06, 1999.

If you're disabled, contact your local Social Services office to see if you qualify for someone to come in and help you with household activities and errands...a helper can do all your shopping for you and help you set up your home so you can cope with whatever eventually comes.

Best of luck - I can personally emphathize with your plight as I'm currently walking in those same shoes.

LunaC

-- LunaC (LunaC@moon.com), September 06, 1999.

Yes Lars this is a big problem. I speak from experience. I have a heart condition which keeps me from any exertion. In my predisabled vocation I worked with the mentally disabled. The disabled ,that can, have to get creative here. Figure out what you can do, then ASK for help with the rest. It is a blessing to give and there are folks out there just dying to give. I'm sure you know it feels good to give......Another idea is to ask for help from whatever group you identify with, be it Christians, Libertarians, or Crossdressers against the NWO. (Everyone seems to be against them. Hehe) Organizations bring out the best in people and those good people are networked. I guess I need to allign myself with yachtspeople as I live on a boat but expect to lose it soon to my lack of income. Oh well, I'm a smart guy and I'll figure out something else. Hopefully a beautiful woman will be involved. Hang in there Lars. Email me if you wish.......Best regards, Tim

-- Tim Johnson (timca@webtv.net), September 06, 1999.

Lars,

Perhaps, some of us here can help you think through some things that will get you through whatever is coming. Feel free to email me at info@giglobal.com.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), September 06, 1999.

Assess your needs post-Y2K in terms of preps and also people who you know might help you or who you can stay with; friends and family. Then do what you can to do preps yourself and ASK FOR HELP, starting here on the forum and then trusted people in your life.

Start NOW to cut your meds a bit and stockpile. Ask NOW for extra presscriptions from your doc. and ask NOW for the cash to fill them (insurance won't). Get a new doctor who will give you extra prescriptions. Call on family and friends to get the cash needed. Do this part NOW.

I have MS and am currently on 23 medications (up from the 21 of a month ago). I have done triange on my meds; those I can cut back and stockpile and those I needed prescriptions for. Then I reduced the list to those that were absolutely life and health sustaining. My doctor gave me extra prescriptions. After triage on my meds and fiances, I filled two of them.

I live with my husband. I have several friends who live alone on Social Security. One is going to visit her parents over the new year. She may stay for a while. Think of who you might be able to stay with. Do what you can to do your part to prepare. Perhaps you are like me, I have more time and lesser and lesser capabilities. I can use the yellow pages and have ordered prep. items delivered. My husband does not have the time or energy to do much but has provided the strength to put preps away after I figured out where. You might have a family member similar.

I have also come to grips with the reality that, if Y2K is bad, I probablly won't make it. No insurance, no meds, no life; I'm asthmatic too.

An important part of my preps have been spiritual; prayer and gratitude for the life I have now; prayer and graditude for whatever I have post-Y2K. I am at peace. Peace, hope and blesslings to you. Keep on coming back to the forum. There are wonderful folks here with diverse beliefs and emotions. It has been a vital support to keep me preparing as best I can.

-- Leslie (***@***.net), September 06, 1999.

I personally believe that there is quite a bit that you can do to prepare and in your situation online access is a big plus. I too would be more than happy to provide suggestions, etc. Feel free to e- mail me.

-- Tiara (sorceress5@hotmail.com), September 06, 1999.

Regarding disability, there are some options: If you are on SSDI or SSI, Medicare and Medicaid have some provisions for in home health assistance, depending on your circumstances. Your doctor can also contact one of the inhealth home care agencies, to request home assistance for you, their charges are usually based on income. Information can be found at www.ssa.gov, www.medicare.gov, or http://hcfa.gov/medicaid/mcaidpti.htm. In Iowa, there are several very reputable organizations that assist clients with shopping, cleaning, and other necessities. These charges are sometimes covered by medicaid or medicare (depending on what your doctor defines as your personal disabling needs). For those of you concerned about your prescriptions and drugs for disabling conditions, are you aware that many of the pharmaceutical companies provide free or low cost prescription drugs for persons who meet middle/low income guidelines. (I am concerned to hear that people are cutting their necessary drugs.) There are many drug programs out there, one is at http://www.pharma.org/patients/index.html Hope this information will help someone who is disabled to live better today and meet the new year with some peace of mind. A Disability Benefits Consultant.

-- Nancy (HAYSandCO@aol.com), September 07, 1999.

Leslie,

Your courage and determination are an inspiration to me. Thank you.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), September 07, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr near Monterey, California

Mary Smith has put together a webpage about Y2K Preparation for the Blind and Disabled. I'm in a similar boat, suffering from an autoimmune disorder that flares under stress. I do have people that could be helping, but they DWGI (don't want to "get it") and treat me like a nut case when I bring up the topic.

Your most immediate danger will be exposure. Get long johns, mittens, lots of blankets and the smallest tent you can get into. You can set the tent up inside your home to keep warm. This will last indefinitely, without having to rely upon a limited supply of fuel.

Be sure you're set for the worst case regarding water. Most people can survive for months without food, but only a few days without water. Secure a continuing source of water, even if it has to be . If you don't have access to a roof, hunt down somebody (a stranger, if necessary) within walking distance (their walking, if you can't), and finance a rooftop rainwater catchment system for them. A very rudimentary one can be made quite inexpensively. In return, they should be willing to deliver to you two gallons per day, for as long as it is needed.

If shopping is difficult for you, you may want to consider mail order foods. I don't know if the turn around time is going to be adequate on these. Even if they cannot arrive before year end, there is some possibility that things may not snap to a halt but begin a slow grind to halt beginning at year end. On the plus side, if things look rosy by mid January, you may be able to cancel your order (with some penalty, perhaps).

This may be as much as you can expect to accomplish. If you manage this and still have some time left, see what you can do about pre-storing some additional water for yourself and for anyone who can help you later. Then, while waiting for the mail order food to arrive, see what you can do about obtaining food locally, prefering storage foods that you already eat.

Then... visit the threads on the Prep Forum for other ideas.

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), September 07, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr near Monterey, California Repost due to html error

Mary Smith has put together a webpage about Y2K Preparation for the Blind and Disabled. I'm in a similar boat, suffering from an autoimmune disorder that flares under stress. I do have people that could be helping, but they DWGI (don't want to "get it") and treat me like a nut case when I bring up the topic.

Your most immediate danger will be exposure. Get long johns, mittens, lots of blankets and the smallest tent you can get into. You can set the tent up inside your home to keep warm. This will last indefinitely, without having to rely upon a limited supply of fuel.

Be sure you're set for the worst case regarding water. Most people can survive for months without food, but only a few days without water. Secure a continuing source of water, even if it has to be harvested from a roof. If you don't have access to a roof, hunt down somebody (a stranger, if necessary) within walking distance (their walking, if you can't), and finance a rooftop rainwater catchment system for them. A very rudimentary one can be made quite inexpensively. In return, they should be willing to deliver to you two gallons per day, for as long as it is needed.

If shopping is difficult for you, you may want to consider mail order foods. I don't know if the turn around time is going to be adequate on these. Even if they cannot arrive before year end, there is some possibility that things may not snap to a halt but begin a slow grind to halt beginning at year end. On the plus side, if things look rosy by mid January, you may be able to cancel your order (with some penalty, perhaps).

This may be as much as you can expect to accomplish. If you manage this and still have some time left, see what you can do about pre-storing some additional water for yourself and for anyone who can help you later. Then, while waiting for the mail order food to arrive, see what you can do about obtaining food locally, prefering storage foods that you already eat.

Then... visit the threads on the Prep Forum for other ideas.

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), September 07, 1999.

Lars, you are brave to even be inquiring. This also indicates that you have an asset that many Pollyannas and Don't Get Its lack...you can think for yourself and you realize you to prepare and need advice on how to do so. You have gotten lots of good advice already here, but I would like to reinforce what someone above said. Try to find someone with whom to be at the turn of the year and through January, at least, until we see how things are going. Even if it cannot be family, perhaps it can be friends or persons in a similar situation. If you have your preps to contribute, you could be a valuable asset as eyes and ears and hands and mind to others who are not disabled. I admmire you and Leslie and others here who are working against their disabilities. I have a minor one compared with what you all have written in. May God bless each of you, of us, as we meet the unknown with courage and helpers.

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), September 07, 1999.

Lars and Tim, nobody is going to get through it if they do it all alone, even the "healthy" ones. You need to team with neighbors or those who share your values -- create a virtual family. Besides, a GI cripple is already better off than a DGI who's fleet of foot.

Disabled? Ok, so what CAN you do? Everyone can do *something*. Let's say you can't walk - you can still cook, feed fires. You could be an organizer, work out plans and schedules. Pilferage may be a problem, but even if you can't move you can be a lookout. Pain keeps you up at night? Volunteer for the late watch. Sorry if this doesn't sound considerate enough for the PC bunch.

I think many families will combine into merged households. One person will be exhausted, trying to work, find food, keep an eye on kids, loiterers, etc. But if people cluster in a household of (say) 6 adults plus kids, you can share tasks, take alternating watches. Some to scrounge, some to cook, some asleep.

Can you see an advantage in that, for any group of people you know? Can you imagine offering something of value to that group, that will make them want you to be included? Then why not start talking about it, see how receptive they are. This is not charity - everyone needs to know that everyone contributes something of value, whether that's ideas or labor or a domicile.

I think if you're waiting for some social network to bail out solitary disabled folks, you've got a long wait. As a solitary gimp, you're no more to society than any other small wage-earner/spender. But if you've thought about this enough to even be asking this question, if you can help give form to this amorphous emergency we're hitting, if you can think on your (so to speak) feet, you could be a key player. One of the most important people in my life was polio-crippled, can't imagine who I'd be today if not for him.

At a detail level: get your meds stocked up. Figure out your best home remedies if meds become unavailable, or know what your symptoms will be in that case. Warn your house-mates (and vice versa) so no surprises, and plan in advance your course of action. That is, tell them what a grand mal is and what to do. Get ready for cooking and heating that copes with the disabilities - no open flames in a house that has immobile people, for instance. Buy foods with that in mind - if you can't have open flames, you can't have pasta, rice, beans that need cooking. (Tim - got a new Logan Bread recipe soon). Keep a fire extinguisher right where you cook.

BTW - Tim - FWIW - start scrounging styrofoam from dumpsters, whatever, bundle in plastic grocery bags by tying the handles and then toss them into compartments on your boat. If the thing starts sinking, that'll stop it (if you have enough of it). Choose compartments that are fairly high, in the bow and along both sides, some in the engine compartment (if the bouyancy is too low, it'll capsize when it starts to sink).

Boats are getting valuable, by the way. That's the road out of town for some. Think about it.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), September 07, 1999.