<html>
<body>
<font size=3>Dear friends. if you haven't already heard from Kiilu,
please read her message below. <br><br>
i think if we all step up and send a check (if you can and in any amount)
made out to <b>Nedzada Handukic </b>and mail it to:<br>
<b>c/o Kiilu Nyasha<br>
848-I Pacific<br>
San Francisco, CA 94133<br><br>
</b>we could really take the pressure off and make a difference!<br>
thanks<br>
claude<br><br>
<br>
greetings all:<br><br>
I can't keep this thing on my lap (thighs) for long, so I'm gonna rant a
bit to let you know how i/we, disabled w/added injury, are treated by
<i>our government.<br><br>
</i>First, the medical system has deteriorated grossly since my last
6-week experience at the same facility (1998). I couldn't believe
my ears when a PT (physical therapist) stood at the foot of my bed a day
after surgery and said, "I'm here to get you on your
feet." <br><br>
"You're kidding."<br><br>
Well, apparently they were not exactly since I had to push for release
from that medical prison so as not to be additionally injured!!<br><br>
My saviour through all this -- as you know -- has been Nedzada Handukic
who came to my aid every morning except one for weeks. She made
sure I got taken care of first thing, doing nearly all of the personal
care between 7 something and 11 a.m. and through every weekend. She
also came to my rescue more than a few times -- on call -- because
<i>benign neglect</i> can be deadly for me. <br><br>
And they have the nerve to call Davies the best rehab facility in the
City. I shudder to think what's second, 3rd, 4th, etc. Of
course, the whole experience brought back horror memories of previous
hospitalizations and so-called long-term <i>care</i>. In fact, what
I was led to believe was <i>rehab at Davies</i> was <i>skilled
nursing. I never got to the Rehab floor.<br><br>
</i>But I digress. I have to tell you that
</font><font size=3 color="#FF0000"><b>Nedzada and I were just informed
by the IHSS (In-Home Support Services) that from the time I went into the
hospital until my release (4/2 - 5/15), she will not be paid. Since
she had already missed one paycheck (bimonthly), I had provided her with
most of my own funds (fattened a bit by the stimulus $250). So now I'm
down to $80 in the bank. </b></font><font size=3> And I'm
bedridden. So while the visiting PT who did an evaluation yesterday
concedes that I need 24/7 care, there is no provision for such care.vis a
vis some $$ for my assistant, Nedzada.<br><br>
I'm so angry. Not just for myself and my god-daughter, but for all
the disabled, ill, and hospitalized in this city, this state, this
country who have to turn to this rotten health system for recoverey
and/or rehabilitation. <br><br>
I've known for decades, nearly 30, just what I need to get
stronger. I simply cannot afford it. Some of you have already
heard me say that in 1975 I walked into the medical system and in 1980
<i>rolled out.</i> But I'm one of the fortunate ones. Most
don't make it back out but rather to a premature grave.<br><br>
When are we gonna demand free health care for all -- period. No,
we'd rather spend 47 cents of every tax dollar on wars/killings.
<br><br>
In a sick society, people get sick.<br><br>
peace & love,<br><br>
Kiilu<br><br>
P.S. How could I forget to thank you all again and again for
lifting my spirit and inspiring me to struggle to get well -- with your
calls, cards, gifts, and visits, and yes, emails. Thanks
much. Now that I'm home, I feel I'm on the road to
recovery...<br><br>
<br>
</font><x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<font size=3 color="#FF0000">Freedom Archives<br>
522 Valencia Street<br>
San Francisco, CA 94110<br><br>
</font><font size=3 color="#008000">415 863-9977<br><br>
</font><font size=3 color="#0000FF">
<a href="http://www.freedomarchives.org/" eudora="autourl">
www.Freedomarchives.org</a></font><font size=3> </font></body>
</html>