Grace E Graham

Recent Activity

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  Grace E signed the petition | 8 days ago

  Chase: Don't foreclose on Helen Bailey
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  Grace E commented on the petition | 2 months ago

  Stop the Layoffs

  People without jobs have less to no money; People without money don't buy things; People without jobs move to places where they can work and spend money. Is this going to be another place where people can't stay because their jobs disappear?

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  Grace E signed the petition | 2 months ago

  Stop the Layoffs
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  Grace E signed the petition | over 2 years ago

  Being a Woman Is Not a Pre-Existing Condition
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  Grace E signed the petition | over 2 years ago

  Fund and Reform Public Mental Health
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  Grace E signed the petition | over 2 years ago

  Preserve, Protect and Defend Housing Vouchers
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  Grace E commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  62% of Disabled Unemployed

  When I was 20 I knew a psychiatrist that reportedly had bi-polar, he was running the unit I was on and by the time I left the place two other units as well.  Obviously he was considered quite capable by the administration.  I didn't talk to him much when I saw him around, but when I did I found his personality abrasive at times and facinating at other times.  His behavior did reflect the possibility of bi-polar, though he never admitted it.  It wasn't really a problem for me, just some of his patients.

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  Grace E commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  62% of Disabled Unemployed

  I'm sorry Alan, my 1BR apartment is up to $950/mo, my SSDI is $784/mo.  If it wasn't for Section 8 I would be in a residential program waiting for life to pass me by, dictated to by people paid to keep a watch and make sure I complied with unreasonable rules given my age and level of functioning or I'd be living in a room or on the streets.  I bought new clothes a few years ago and again last year... Prices have not drifted down.  I'm sorry because I'm sure by the time you get to this post you'll be fed up with the criticism.

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  Grace E commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  62% of Disabled Unemployed

  Did you miss a deadline to be able to refile a claim without having to re-apply?  I can't remember what the deadline is for SSI and it may be different in different states. 

  
  

  I went on SSI in NY state when I was about 21-22.  I had to be emmancipated because of my disability.  My father couldn't afford my medical bills anymore, that was more than 20 years ago.  I have worked on and off over the years, while on SSI, building up my "quarters" until I became eligible for SSDI in 2004.  Because I was working at the time I became ineligible after my 9 month trial work period, but to my confusion I was again eligible for SSI.  I have only worked "full-time" for relativly short periods.  Currently I'm back on full SSDI.  I'm getting $3 over the maximum for SSI/Medicaid. 

  
  

  The government has limits on what medical care can be covered on Medicare and Medicaid.  One of the jobs I had was direct care with people with developmental disabilities.  Anybody know how many wheelchairs a person can have covered by Medicare in a lifetme?  You'd be surprised.  How do you get to work, even by cab, when your personal convaiance, as in wheelchair or scooter or even cruches, is in need of replacement because it doesn't fit or no longer meets your needs.  My disability isn't physical.  I'm in the local community college for retraining because my disability and arthritis in my spine prevent me from doing human services type work, beside the fact that the pay is generally terrible.  When I disclosed my disability to my coworkers I discovered how ignorant most of them were.  Which gave me another reason to leave. 

  
  

  I went back on SSDI as of January but there was a 6 month period of "I have no idea what's happening with my payments".  They had given me an expidited application because I had gone off SSI less than a year before.  I tried to work full time in a residence without appropriate accomidations.

  
  

  I still work as an election inspector twice a year and that pays something just before Christmas.  I'm looking forward to paying bills when that check comes and maybe I may be able to get some presents for the family. I wonder what effect that work will have on my SSDI... When I reapplied the guy that typed my application into the computer said I couldn't work for 2 years if I wanted to get another 9 month trial work period.  Are they trying to keep me from working, if I can, by removing the saftey net?  What will happen when I try to go out there and get another job for real, do I get cut off immediatly?  I have 2 years before I will be looking and the field I'm training in could net me a living wage for the area I live in.  SSI/SSDI are far below a living wage and I went back on the system with debts to repay then racked up more prepping for school and paying my part of those costs.  I eat off of the foodstamp program.  Ask anyone working at a county Social Services office how anyone could eat for a month on foodstamps and they will tell you that foodstamps are not supposed to be your whole food budget.  I've lost weight since I stopped working... But I'm eating healthier because I can't afford not to make every foodstamp $ count. 

  
  

  I can't wait until I can get some of these things paid off (most likely after I get real work some time after James T. Kirk and Spock are born).

  
  

   

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  Grace E signed the petition | over 2 years ago

  Keep health reform moving forward!