Is There a Doctor in the House?

The secret in life is honest and fair dealing, if you can fake that, you’ve got it made.

Groucho Marx

Groucho Marx or the Cart, Donkey, Carrot —Groucho beats Carrot.

It has been two weeks since my reentry into the shelter system in Paradise.  The shelter is a small institutional “homey” style setting—women only with an occassional—male intern? And, I have completed 1 full rotation in the inquiry of available services aka “compendium of care” offered.

This is the third round with Paradise County Mental Health Resource Social Worker (SW1) (meeting 1 at shelter and meeting 2 at PCMH following week at PCMH office-2 days—no show by SW1) with accompanying PCMH FT/Intern SW2(unidentified graduate student-older returning student). The follow-up conversation regarding neurological vs mental health/illness resources goes something like this:

Hi, blah, blah, blah, (still no introduction from PCMH/FT intern SW2).

Me: Yes, I followed up with the SSA and my SSDI status is at the 2nd appeal/Hearing stage. (Yes, HEARING)

SW1: Oh, your SSI not SSDI.

Me: No, SSDI (repeat of explanation from two weeks ago).

SW2: If you filed for SSDI, you get that right away. You filed wrong and have to refile.

Me: No, SSDI is based on credits related to your work history and earnings. (I am 17 months into the process and did a wee bit of preliminary research). I just called the SSA 1-800 number last Friday to check my status, you know, in Washington, D.C. and they informed me of the projected time frame for the hearing. I filed correctly.

SW2: You have to refile. You didn’t file right. We have resources to help you fill out the paperwork correctly.

Me: I did the paperwork correctly and the SSA representative has my complete file. I also requested a copy of my file to be review in the interim (I think the word “interim” tripped them and the use of “executive planning” skills, BEing in my situation and all….see where I am going with this–my tan has returned—and…Away we go George!).

Me: I worked as a grant writer for a number of years and I am capable of filling out the forms.

SW2: Do you need help writing a resume? We have resources for resume writing assistance.

Me: I have a very good resume if needed and have gotten very good responses over the years with it. Did I forget mention that I am 17 months into my SSDI filing, awaiting an Administrative Hearing after calling SSA last week to confirm my CASE status?

Me: (this one blew her mind) In fact, I am planning to expand the use of my writing and research skills to complement my fundraising experience and I recently took the LSAT to see if I might be accepted to an accredited U.S. law school. Now it has been about 25 years since graduating college and I really didn’t study much—using the first test as a benchmark (benchmark is another blow away word given my “situation”) and I decided to use this down time productively to take the LSAT before I reach the magic 50. Since I didn’t study much, and I really didn’t know if I could physically sit for the alloted test time, (pause), I was able to sit for the test and much to my surprise I did not score completely at the bottom of the scale. In fact, the experience was so motivating, now I know that with some studying and preparation, a few more points of improvement and I could legitimately get into a law school based on work experience and my LSAT score.

SW2: What is the LSAT?

Me: Law School Admissions Test.

Me: (to SW1) with this as an example, I don’t know what the “official” rule is for an individual under the Persons With Disabilities Act…but I would be given a few more minutes on the test and perhaps a room with less noise or allowed to wear earplug in the test center and etc.(LSAC has very strict restrictions, rightly so)..see this is how systemically this works and very minor tweaking (in this situation the word could be misconstrued) of the testing accomodations can make a big difference in future positive opportunities for a person with an AS spectrum disorder.

SW2: Can you prove that you have taken this test? I’m not familiar with it?

ME: Oh, you bet. Who are you? Are with the Paradise County or with one of the other many other groups that visit?……

ME: (Exit Que/Cue Stage Right) ASIDE: Guilt before Innocence

To be continued…..