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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Help a Reader Out!

Help a Reader Out!

by John Cole|  December 17, 201611:06 pm| 62 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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Longtime reader and commenter Newdealfarmgrrrlll, who now mostly lurks, but stalks me on facebook (just kidding Susan) has had a rough go of it, and I thought many of you might want to help out:

I’ve been drowning in medical bills the last six years, and after yet another layoff two years ago and subsequent early retirement, I’ve depleted my savings and get constantly derailed by minor emergencies. Over a third of my monthly income goes to various debits paying down outstanding medical bills and insurance premiums.

The last two years I paid out of pocket $8,896 for copays, deductibles, and insurance premiums (asthma problems and mess, hip replacement, physical therapy, a crown on a broken tooth, etc). In the four years prior to that I paid around $6-8K for five major eye surgeries (it wasn’t quite enough to declare on my taxes so I don’t have a definite figure). This has all left me with no funds to pay for car repairs, getting my furnace fixed … the list goes on!

I’ve been having trouble seeing lately, and found out that it isn’t a need for a different lens prescription — I need cataract surgery! There will be a small copay, but the big problem will be not being able to drive to work for a month until my eye can be remeasured for new eyewear. Unlike most people, I cannot rely on my other eye during this time as the aforementioned major eye surgeries kept me from total blindness in that eye, but the remaining vision is not good enough to allow me to drive, read, or recognize people.

My social security income is enough to cover my mortgage, gas, and electric bills, and my part-time job pays for everything else. So if I can’t work, all my insurance, phone, and medical debits will bounce when they hit my bank account. If I don’t have cataract surgery, I’ll be soon be at the point where I can’t see well enough to drive or work, but if I do have it, I won’t have the means to pay for any of my fixed expenses … sigh.
Several friends suggested a go-fund-me so I could pay off all my outstanding medical bills. The figure I listed covers old medical bills, plus $1,000 for surgery copay, new glasses, and fixed debits for a month.

The cat picture is for my Kittehs, who are four years overdue for a vet checkup. If I raise more than the funds I need, my Kittehs visit the vet, for which they will not thank me. And anything else will be paid forward because there are so many people I wish I could help.

I’m in. Susan also wants to thank Richard Mayhew for helping her navigate all the insurance nonsense.

Maybe we can bully her into sending some more cat pictures!

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Reader Interactions

62Comments

  1. 1.

    wmd

    December 17, 2016 at 11:08 pm

    You put yourself down, but when it comes down to it you’re a mensch Cole.

  2. 2.

    Omnes Omnibus

    December 17, 2016 at 11:13 pm

    Done.

  3. 3.

    Kristine

    December 17, 2016 at 11:18 pm

    I’m in.

  4. 4.

    joel hanes

    December 17, 2016 at 11:28 pm

    done

  5. 5.

    newdealfarmgrrrlll

    December 17, 2016 at 11:32 pm

    OMG, I wasn’t expecting something like this. I feel a bit weepy. And a bit embarrassed because, yanno, us upper midwestern scandahoovians aren’t supposed to admit we need help. But I’ve always loved helping others back when I had discretionary income, so … there’s a lesson for me somewhere in that.

    I’ll definitely send some cat pictures, and one of my beloved grandoggie.

    Life has been too busy the last year or two so, especially since mom’s health went into a tailspin, so all I do is lurk these days, but I must thank the regulars for giving me daily laughs. I have to check in at least once a day if possible, and hourly when it’s a saga like Walter’s discovery, and eventual cross-country journey to his forever home (which is in my vicinity, give or take ten miles or so). Balloonjuicers are pretty awesome, if occasionally curmudgeonly, folks!

  6. 6.

    Omnes Omnibus

    December 17, 2016 at 11:35 pm

    @newdealfarmgrrrlll: “us upper midwestern scandahoovians” are also familiar with the concept of a community.

  7. 7.

    Another Scott

    December 17, 2016 at 11:37 pm

    @newdealfarmgrrrlll: Post more often. :-) Hang in there.

    Best wishes.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  8. 8.

    joel hanes

    December 17, 2016 at 11:37 pm

    if occasionally curmudgeonly

    …
    A special chip-on-the-shoulder attitude
    We’ve never been without, that we recall
    We can be cold as our falling thermometers in December
    When you ask about our weather, in July —
    And we’re so by-God stubborn we can stand touching noses
    For a week at a time, and never see eye to eye ….

    But we’ll give you our shirt
    And a back to go with it
    If your crops should happen to die;

    But what the heck! You’re welcome.
    Glad to have you with us!
    (Even thouogh we may not ever mention it again.)

  9. 9.

    ruemara

    December 17, 2016 at 11:45 pm

    Been there, will be back there next year, so I’m in. Just have to tidy up the mess I made baking cookies and bread.

  10. 10.

    newdealfarmgrrrlll

    December 17, 2016 at 11:47 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: one of my friends convinced me to do the fundraiser by saying, “You’ve always been so good at helping others — think of it this way, farm girl that you are, this time it was your barn that burned, and your neighbors are showing up for your barn-raising.” Welp, it’s been quite a few years since I left the farm, but it was an apt analogy.

  11. 11.

    opiejeanne

    December 17, 2016 at 11:52 pm

    @joel hanes: Show Tunes!

  12. 12.

    newdealfarmgrrrlll

    December 17, 2016 at 11:54 pm

    @Another Scott: Thank you! My brother and I moved mom into a memory care apartment in July, and finally got her townhome cleaned out right before Thanksgiving. All of a sudden, I have free time! Commenting would be such a nice luxury.

  13. 13.

    Percysowner

    December 17, 2016 at 11:55 pm

    I’m in.

  14. 14.

    newdealfarmgrrrlll

    December 17, 2016 at 11:58 pm

    @joel hanes: Heh, sounds like family.

  15. 15.

    newdealfarmgrrrlll

    December 18, 2016 at 12:00 am

    @efgoldman: Balloonjuicers, bless their shriveled little hearts, take after the cantankerous founder of the place. (And are generous softies underneath, just like that Cole guy.)

  16. 16.

    MomSense

    December 18, 2016 at 12:03 am

    Will do. I’ve been there too. Sending my best to you, newdealfarmgrrrl.

  17. 17.

    joel hanes

    December 18, 2016 at 12:05 am

    @opiejeanne:

    The Music Man depicts my actual home town as it was in 1912.
    The descendants of one member of the real city-council/barbershop quartet (The Rusty Hinges) are among my family’s closest friends.
    The arched footbridge over the river in the park long since washed away.
    The excellent city library was indeed a gift from a local boy grown rich.
    The community remains fanatically devoted to participatory music, and to arguments.

  18. 18.

    Yarrow

    December 18, 2016 at 12:07 am

    @newdealfarmgrrrlll: Wishing you all the best. Your GoFundMe is trending now, it says at the top of its page! Might get some more attention.

    If you’re so close to debit and Walter, maybe you could meet them. Exciting!

  19. 19.

    newdealfarmgrrrlll

    December 18, 2016 at 12:14 am

    Thanks, everyone!

    @Yarrow: it would be great to meet them! I love dogs but can’t own one, so it’s always a treat to visit one. I do have a beloved grandoggie, which helps.

  20. 20.

    frosty

    December 18, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Me too

  21. 21.

    Madeleine

    December 18, 2016 at 12:23 am

    I’m in, too. You’ve been in a tough spot for too long, newdealfarmgrrrlll, and need relief. I hope this campaign will give it to you.

  22. 22.

    Omnes Omnibus

    December 18, 2016 at 12:25 am

    @newdealfarmgrrrlll: I am a dog uncle. He loves me because I play with him and feed him from the table. My younger brother can deal with it; it’s not like he can stop me. The dog doesn’t see me often, but he is happy when I show up.

  23. 23.

    wmd

    December 18, 2016 at 12:31 am

    @newdealfarmgrrrlll:

    One of the hardest things is to find humility and accept grace. yeah, Cole is providing Grace. whocouldanode?

  24. 24.

    Scamp Dog

    December 18, 2016 at 12:32 am

    Just kicked in a bit.

  25. 25.

    Omnes Omnibus

    December 18, 2016 at 12:34 am

    @wmd: Cole is an ass, but he is not a shit.

  26. 26.

    Omnes Omnibus

    December 18, 2016 at 12:35 am

    @efgoldman: Exactly. They know who get them and what they want.

  27. 27.

    opiejeanne

    December 18, 2016 at 12:36 am

    @joel hanes: You’re from River City! Did they have a pool hall?

  28. 28.

    middlelee

    December 18, 2016 at 12:37 am

    Done.

  29. 29.

    opiejeanne

    December 18, 2016 at 12:50 am

    @efgoldman: With a capital T!

  30. 30.

    Omnes Omnibus

    December 18, 2016 at 12:50 am

    @efgoldman: I will always feed from the table. If my brother doesn’t want it, he can keep his dog from sitting by me on holidays. He makes no such effort.

  31. 31.

    newdealfarmgrrrlll

    December 18, 2016 at 12:54 am

    Thank you everyone! I got up at 6:30 to shovel out my driveway to get to work, so my brain is turning off despite my wish to reply a thank you to each.

    I’ll share a dog story instead, along the lines of what Omnes said. My grandoggie, GigiBears, thinks I am the most amazing, wonderful person in the world. That’s because I am *cough* … it has nothing to do with the fact that a few days after my daughter adopted her from a rescue group I happened to take my grandson on a day-long expedition to Mall of America. Unusual for him, he couldn’t finish his hamburger, and wanted me to put the take-out box in my purse. Yes, you know where this story is going. I am the magic woman who produces hamburgers from her purse and gives them to doggies! She LURVS me because I am a wonderful person. Yep.

  32. 32.

    Lymie

    December 18, 2016 at 12:58 am

    Did a little, too! If Cole vouches for someone…… Wasn’t he in 11ACR? If so, extra trustworthy source.

  33. 33.

    Omnes Omnibus

    December 18, 2016 at 1:00 am

    @Lymie: 11ACR? Very iffy.

  34. 34.

    Lyrebird

    December 18, 2016 at 1:05 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Hi Omnes, from prev. thread – thanks for the as-usual-correct information and, uh, go you for rededicating this day. Not sure what the suitably curmudgeonly-but-helpful BJ protocol is for cheering up top commenters.

  35. 35.

    Yarrow

    December 18, 2016 at 1:05 am

    @newdealfarmgrrrlll: Ha. That’s hilarious. No wonder your granddoggie loves you. All smart dogs would!

  36. 36.

    Omnes Omnibus

    December 18, 2016 at 1:09 am

    @Lyrebird: Cool.

  37. 37.

    Lymie

    December 18, 2016 at 1:19 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:
    Something about “pile on” but in French, I think?

  38. 38.

    joel hanes

    December 18, 2016 at 1:51 am

    @efgoldman:

    Wasn’t it also Meredith Willson’s home town

    Yes. The Willson familly home has been preserved.
    Bill Baird, who was once a famous puppeteer, was also from “River City”

  39. 39.

    joel hanes

    December 18, 2016 at 1:54 am

    @opiejeanne:

    Did they have a pool hall?

    of course.

    It’s still open, and still pretty disreputable.
    “Ransom’s”, on Federal Avenue, a block from Central Park.

    Sadly, the Armoury (at which one could encounter libertine men and scarlet women, and rag-time, shameless music, arms of the jungle, animal instinct: MASSTERIA) was torn down or burned down before I was born

  40. 40.

    opiejeanne

    December 18, 2016 at 2:22 am

    @joel hanes: If I remember correctly, those pool halls started when the Brunswick Company ran out of wealthy men to market billiards tables to. They came up with this idea of opening saloons with pool tables, or billiards tables. My grandfather’s disreputable, alcoholic brother married a saloon owner’s daughter (his boss’s daughter), ca. 1899. They had a baby and got a divorce in 1900, and she told my family she never wanted anything to do with us ever again ( I didn’t blame her; great grandma was a real tartar). But my grandmother was irresistible, and she kept up a correspondence with the young woman and the daughter, and I have found photos of both of them.
    It took me forever to find this out as well as the family name, and I was a bit stunned to discover that the ex-wife’s uncle owned the Brunswick company. The last name was not Brunswick, it was Bensinger. They were Jewish and we are not which is part of the reason my great grandmother was terrible to her, but she was pretty terrible in general to her daughters-in-law.
    I can’t find any mention of the daughter past age 18, can’t find if her mother remarried or where they lived, can’t find either in the census after 1900. The last photo i have is of the daughter at age 18. Very pretty girl.

  41. 41.

    fuckwit

    December 18, 2016 at 2:28 am

    Hey, I got an idea! Let’s all give money on a regular basis for something like this, so that if any one of us who puts in money gets sick, the cost can be paid out of the funds we’ve been putting in.

    Oh wait.

    Anyway, I’ve kicked in some bucks for this. In the absence of a functioning government, all we have left is each other.

  42. 42.

    DeeFromTexas

    December 18, 2016 at 3:13 am

    I put in too. Hope we meet and exceed you goal so you and your kittehs can both receive the medical care you need.

  43. 43.

    satby

    December 18, 2016 at 6:39 am

    Happy to kick in and help a Juicer! Good luck and thanks to John for letting us know we can help out.

  44. 44.

    Auntie Anne

    December 18, 2016 at 8:07 am

    Done. Happy to help.

  45. 45.

    debit

    December 18, 2016 at 9:17 am

    Done and done. Walter sends his regards and hopes you’re staying warm. -17 and I have a fire going with all the animals trying to pile onto my lap. Including the dogs.

  46. 46.

    HinTN

    December 18, 2016 at 9:28 am

    Done, Cole. You da bomb.

  47. 47.

    BruceFromOhio

    December 18, 2016 at 10:51 am

    In.

  48. 48.

    Kathleen

    December 18, 2016 at 11:07 am

    Done. Are you by chance in Minnesooooota? Or the Dakotas?

  49. 49.

    Michele

    December 18, 2016 at 12:23 pm

    @newdealfarmgrrrlll Happy to help you and your kittehs. May you have warmth and healing soon.

  50. 50.

    hitchhiker

    December 18, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    Been stuck and broke in the northern midwest myself a time or two — happy to help.

    ALSO, if y’all are looking for something good to read or listen to or give away, David France’s comprehensive history of the plague years (1978 — 1997) is phenomenal. And oddly necessary in this fucked up time of our own. Thousands and thousands of young men living under a death sentence, abandoned by their own parents, mocked by the press, in more or less constant pain from one source or another, usually broke, actively hated by their own government … and they were STILL creatively resisting the fuck out of it.

    Srsly, How to Survive a Plague. We need this now.

  51. 51.

    CarolDuhart2

    December 18, 2016 at 12:32 pm

    @debit: -17. Wind chill or air temp? At that temp, it’s probably a tossup between the dogs climbing on top of you to keep warm, or you wanting to slip under them to keep you warm.

    Insane weather. Minus wind chills this last Thursday and Friday. Upper 40’s Saturday. Today, thunderstorm, tomorrow 9 degrees in the morning. I’m just getting over upper respiratory stuff. Bah, Humbug.

  52. 52.

    newdealfarmgrrrlll

    December 18, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    I was stunned this morning when I had my wake-up coffee and email session … there were so many contributions to my fund. I am a bit verklempt … *grabs another tissue*

    It will take me a few days to work through all the thank you emails. So if I don’t respond immediately, know that I am overwhelmed and grateful!

    @Kathleen: yes, I’m in one of Minneapolis’ inner suburbs. I attended a BalloonJuice meetup in St. Paul 3-4 years ago, and hope there is another some day.

    Ok, time to clean litter boxes before I head out to work. The glamour of my life just doesn’t stop!

  53. 53.

    debit

    December 18, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    @CarolDuhart2: Actual temp. It was supposed to be in the -20s last night, so I was really happy my cat shelter showed up on Friday. I set it up and plugged in the heater yesterday and hope some needy critter kept warm last night.

  54. 54.

    joel hanes

    December 18, 2016 at 2:01 pm

    work through all the thank you emails.

    Not required, but I know you’re a nice Minnesotan, so my protests will do no good.

    Merry Christmas, NDFG
    I’m glad that Santa is showing up for you this year.

  55. 55.

    Genine

    December 18, 2016 at 2:39 pm

    I’m in. I totally know what it’s like to be in that position and people on this blog have helped. Unfortunately, I think situations like this will be more and more common and sometimes I feel helpless and hopeless in the face of that. But I can help out when I can as much as I can and hope that it makes a difference. I sent money and I’m sending good vibes to Susan.

  56. 56.

    Ella in New Mexico

    December 18, 2016 at 4:47 pm

    @newdealfarmgrrrlll: I just gave my small contribution because I’m so blessed this year to NOT be struggling. Not so in years past, when I literally had no money for food after paying our bills and had to depend on my parents and inlaws to provide the Christmas goodies for our four kids.

    Blessings to you, get healthy and here’s to a great 2017!

  57. 57.

    raven

    December 18, 2016 at 6:20 pm

    What the fuck, do some reminders if you are going to do this in the middle of the night!

  58. 58.

    Theodore Wirth

    December 18, 2016 at 10:19 pm

    I am 64 and self-employed (broke) and live in NJ. Medicaid covers my $1,300/mo. insulin prescriptions among other things. Plus, if it were not for ACA, I would never been able to hook up with this coverage due to pre-exisitng conditions. You should check this out.

  59. 59.

    Barbara

    December 18, 2016 at 10:57 pm

    I kicked in a few shekels. I hope this gives you some breathing room. I gather that you are old enough fote SSI but not yet Medicare. Both of my parents went through this without insurance and it felt really precarious.

  60. 60.

    DSC

    December 19, 2016 at 8:00 am

    Been wearing glasses since I was 9. Type 1 diabetic since I was 10. I know all about not having insurance. Cataracts too, Had first eye done two weeks ago and going thursday for the second. I could see (20/15 according to my Ophthalmologist) by that night. Could not wear my glasses, even while driving–too disorienting. My husband took the right eye lens out of my glasses to no avail. Unless you are a special circumstance, I’m not sure why they would tell you that you could not drive–I was driving (and marveling) two days after the surgery. I will kick in what I can on the next pay period. Have a happy, HEALTHY new year.

  61. 61.

    newdealfarmgrrrlll

    December 19, 2016 at 10:35 am

    A big thank you to all the Balloon Juice crew, front-pagers and commenters alike! I’m feeling stunned and a bit overwhelmed by all the care and support that has poured in.

    For those who offered good suggestions about insurance options, I turned 65 in August, and now have my Medicare card and supplemental insurance. The bad part of that was my up-front monthly insurance premiums tripling from what I paid under Obamacare. In the long run that will work out, because I don’t have a deductible and large copays. I have no flex or cushion in my monthly budget, so the big increase in premiums while still being buried under medical bills from previous years’ deductibles really had me in despair.

    @DSC: @DSC: yep, special circumstance here :( My eye/vision thang is very complicated. All in all, it’s not fun being of professional interest to a bunch of eye surgeons.

  62. 62.

    lurker dean

    December 19, 2016 at 10:11 pm

    getting close! all the best to you newdealfarmgrrrlll on the surgery and on getting out from under the old medical bills. as my canadian cousins like to say, the way we deal with healthcare here is just crazy.

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