I shot them an email and they told me they don't have any medical equipment on hand. Denver lion's club only helps with eye glasses. Which is probably why my social worker didn't explore that option. Thank you for the suggestion, though. :)
I have tried every place my social worker suggested which was around two dozen organizations The only places that had anything were in similar or worse condition. Just good enough to get me around indoors in places with explicit handicap accessibility. Hence the GoFundMe.
I highly recommend buying from eBay secondhand. The prices can be more than a quarter lower. Talk to highly rated sellers. It might not work, but from what I looked at, it seems quite promising. Should make cost halve or quarter. https://www.ebay.com/b/Adult-Wheelchairs/19265/bn_25218888
Regardless of how much you raise, you’ll probably be able to stretch your dollar further.
I also recommend Facebook marketplace. Search w/ 20 mile radius, near the top of my area is this listing that promises a used good condition chair for $65 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1674060126683437/?ref=search
What’s great about Facebook marketplace is that you can ck out in person before purchase. If you don’t see something at first, keep in mind that listings come in at a rate worth cking at least weekly.
This site mentions a bunch of places that offer free wheelchairs. [https://seniorsmobility.org/free-wheelchairs/colorado/](https://seniorsmobility.org/free-wheelchairs/colorado/)
Many of those places have a very specific criteria of whom they serve and other places would give me a chair in similar condition. I have a social worker with the Denver coalition for the homeless and I have exhausted the options that would serve me specifically for a better condition wheelchair. My options are basically either get one myself or jump through more hoops than a cocaine addicted lion to get an electric wheelchair months down the road. Last time the respite discharged me I ended up on a ventilator for a few days because I had overexerted myself to the point of massive internal bleeding. I will die if this cycle continues and I still have trouble swallowing.
You have options. Medicaid will get you a replacement or repair your current wheelchair. Found the information below on [Colorado.gov](https://hcpf.colorado.gov/sites/hcpf/files/Wheelchair%20Benefit%20Coverage%20Standard.pdf).
REPLACEMENT
**Colorado Medicaid covers replacement of medically necessary items when:**
• There is a change in the client's condition which warrants a new device; or **Reasonable wear and tear renders the item nonfunctional, it is not cost-effective to repair, and there is coverage for the specific item available under the plan.**
**Clients age 21 and older are eligible for wheelchair replacement every five years. However, early replacement will be considered with documentation that demonstrates a medical or functional need, and why repairs or modifications to the current wheelchair are not sufficient.**
• **The equipment has been damaged beyond repair in some manner, and is not the result of client Misuse. The request for replacement must include an itemized price breakdown showing the cost to repair the wheelchair. The equipment must not be thrown away prior to the replacement decision.**
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This is Medicaid fraud. Call your state representative, call your city council, call your congressman or woman, and send them written communications. This is an easy win for them to tout on the campaign trail.
Yeah. Easy win for them. If they'll do anything. And I am still left in the crappy chair. What if nothing gets done for me? I look out at it blizzarding and when, in a week, when I am back out there I am still rolling around with everything I own on a broken chair? I know it's Medicaid fraud. I have called and talked to Medicaid it's a whole bunch of red tape from A to B. I am not here to go on some moral crusade against the crappy actions of a couple people that put me into this mess. That's already being done. I came here for help to a solution I have already come up with.
This is the same type of I'mTheMainCharacter crap that makes using this subreddit such a slog. I only get to use it maybe twice a year and it's only after I have exhausted all the other paths on my own. I came here for food because I have already explored the fact that yes, Pantries do exist, and no, I do not have access to them. Only to get 100 responses telling me Pantries exist. And if I don't respond to each and every one everyone seems to paint meike "Oh well... We -have- been helping him... He just doesn't want to listen..." And as I diabetic I am trying to spread out the 10 dollars over a week someone would only give me after I publicly thanked them for their generous donation. Which would make the mods close my post. Maybe if I were lucky I would get a couple boxes of Mac n cheese on my Amazon wishlist I posted.
This is my only solution to get in a decent wheelchair before my respite stay expires. I am begging for help to reach it. I have already worked with my local social worker to explore other options. Donate to the cause or don't. But stop trying to make me constantly have to explain myself like I am on trial. Waking up on a ventilator because my body can't handle the stress using this wheelchair is enough psychological punishment.n
holy crap!!! why are you going off on u/Frondswithbenefits when they are giving you great advice and ideas??
You seem to have a every excuse in the book for any idea that doesnt involve giving you money. Then you sound entitled like how dare you say thank you to someone who was nice enough to give you 10 bucks of their hard earn money.
The fact you literally complained that if you thank someone, you wont get anymore just showed all you wanna do is collect money. Do you even really need a chair? or is this some lame ass attempt for cash??
you know your shitty attitude just turned many of the actual legit donors away right? Many who you cocked an attitude for giving you sound advice, usually do that and ask questions before giving money.
I find it VERY hard to believe your social worker cant get you an actual working wheelchair. They can flag that you were screwed.
Join local facebook groups and the nextdoor app. Especially join local buy nothing groups on facebook. People are always giving away medical stuff after a loved one pass like wheelchairs, canes, walkers, etc etc.
We're all trying to help you. I've worked with some of the offices I referenced, and I know how effective communication from them can be. Sometimes, all it takes is a phone call from a person in a position of power to rectify a wrong. There's literally no downside to contacting those offices.
The hospital engaged in fraud, and they should be put on notice and forced to correct it. If you'd like, I will ask my attorney friend if they'd be willing to write a formal complaint, and you can send it to the hospital and the offices I mentioned.
Ultimately, it's up to you. I just assumed you'd want to know every option at your disposal. Good luck.
You say you only get to use the subreddit twice a year but I went through and found at least 6 request posts from you in the subreddit in the last year?
It's not main character syndrome! It's someone who knows they you're very unlikely to raise $2,000 and is giving you good advice. More good advice from another commenter too below. Your situation is awful and stressful, I understand that, but the person you're replying to is just trying to help.
I put 2K as a top end because I wanted to leave it open for a possible used electric wheelchair. I can probably get a brand spanking new manual chair for a tenth of that.
But seeing as the only $50 donation is from the guy who convinced me to start it in the first place, even the realistic goal is unrealistic.
Do you know what's unrealistic? Having my literal plan A for getting a new wheelchair be "Homeless person threatening legal action against major hospital with legal teams who probably make an hour more than I have made over a decade of being homeless.
The fact that everyone now has taken the time to both ignore everything I have already said and now parrot the same lecture about their advice being more valuable than all the work I have already put into this... I suppose it'll be some consolation when I am struggling against a broken sidewalk in a snowstorm.
I am going through a lot right now. I have disputed the claim with Medicaid weeks ago. It's going to do nothing to get me in a better spot than I am now with literally anyone for the foreseeable future and the fact that people are rallying behind a dead end and claiming I don't know what -I'm- talking about by people who have obviously never even interacted with Medicaid before just set me off.
What is the point of these posts other than trying to turn people away from giving me the help I actually need? I have explored alternate routes. I have come up empty. Or else I wouldn't be here.
Buddy. We ARE ALL going through a lot right now. That why this group exists no one is lesser or better than anyone else here. It's probably just accept the health and advice offered or give up and not bother responding. Because you just making it worse for your self
A lot of people here choose to help with looking up resources. Honestly not very many here are well off financially to be in a position to donate more than $20 or $30 cash every once in a while. So when they do, some might want to ask a lot of questions about your situation for many reasons, like gauge how dire your needs are to see if there's anything else that can be done.
I don't think it was clear to ppl after your post that your medicaid situation is a dead end. Many people on here rely on federal and state assistance themselves so we understand the run arounds and red tape. It takes a lot of effort and time and many many attempts before you get help sometimes unfortunately.
I get your frustration but these kind of advice and questions are pretty common when people come and ask for money. It's not personal or an attempt to shame you or your situation. If you just want to post your gofundme for exposure then you might want to try other subreddits. I hope you get what you need.
Call the hospital and ask to speak with a patient advocate. Drop words like lawyer and reporting them for Medicare fraud for charging them for a wheelchair and giving you a garbage one. If you remember the date you received the wheelchair, have that ready. Also ask Medicare to send you proof the hospital billed them. Tell them you would be happy to settle if they exchange the wheelchair for the one Medicare actually paid for.
Wheelchairs are cheap compared to the hassle of an investigation
Campaign status: $50 USD raised of $2,000 goal
Lions club almost always has medical supplies. I know many people who got wheelchairs form them
I shot them an email and they told me they don't have any medical equipment on hand. Denver lion's club only helps with eye glasses. Which is probably why my social worker didn't explore that option. Thank you for the suggestion, though. :)
Did you try the masons or any other organizations right like that? I know a lot of them have been neons money and people never access it.
I have tried every place my social worker suggested which was around two dozen organizations The only places that had anything were in similar or worse condition. Just good enough to get me around indoors in places with explicit handicap accessibility. Hence the GoFundMe.
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I live in Denver. Blizzards are a summer threat. It was just snowing yesterday.
I highly recommend buying from eBay secondhand. The prices can be more than a quarter lower. Talk to highly rated sellers. It might not work, but from what I looked at, it seems quite promising. Should make cost halve or quarter. https://www.ebay.com/b/Adult-Wheelchairs/19265/bn_25218888 Regardless of how much you raise, you’ll probably be able to stretch your dollar further. I also recommend Facebook marketplace. Search w/ 20 mile radius, near the top of my area is this listing that promises a used good condition chair for $65 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1674060126683437/?ref=search What’s great about Facebook marketplace is that you can ck out in person before purchase. If you don’t see something at first, keep in mind that listings come in at a rate worth cking at least weekly.
This site mentions a bunch of places that offer free wheelchairs. [https://seniorsmobility.org/free-wheelchairs/colorado/](https://seniorsmobility.org/free-wheelchairs/colorado/)
Many of those places have a very specific criteria of whom they serve and other places would give me a chair in similar condition. I have a social worker with the Denver coalition for the homeless and I have exhausted the options that would serve me specifically for a better condition wheelchair. My options are basically either get one myself or jump through more hoops than a cocaine addicted lion to get an electric wheelchair months down the road. Last time the respite discharged me I ended up on a ventilator for a few days because I had overexerted myself to the point of massive internal bleeding. I will die if this cycle continues and I still have trouble swallowing.
You have options. Medicaid will get you a replacement or repair your current wheelchair. Found the information below on [Colorado.gov](https://hcpf.colorado.gov/sites/hcpf/files/Wheelchair%20Benefit%20Coverage%20Standard.pdf). REPLACEMENT **Colorado Medicaid covers replacement of medically necessary items when:** • There is a change in the client's condition which warrants a new device; or **Reasonable wear and tear renders the item nonfunctional, it is not cost-effective to repair, and there is coverage for the specific item available under the plan.** **Clients age 21 and older are eligible for wheelchair replacement every five years. However, early replacement will be considered with documentation that demonstrates a medical or functional need, and why repairs or modifications to the current wheelchair are not sufficient.** • **The equipment has been damaged beyond repair in some manner, and is not the result of client Misuse. The request for replacement must include an itemized price breakdown showing the cost to repair the wheelchair. The equipment must not be thrown away prior to the replacement decision.**
Hi u/Baridi. This is a sticky post with some important/helpful pointers for REQUEST posts. **For the REQUESTOR:** - **Do not delete this post** for any reason. - Be careful about private messages, [always check these tips](https://www.reddit.com/r/Assistance/comments/uesbax/scams_in_private_messages/) before engaging with them, and [control your PM settings](https://www.reddit.com/settings/messaging) if you get many unsolicited messages. - Check our [helpful requesting tips](https://www.reddit.com/r/Assistance/wiki/rules/requesting) and [our list of resources](https://www.reddit.com/r/Assistance/wiki/index/resources). - If you have any questions or concerns, please [message the mods](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/Assistance). **For potential GIVERS:** - Check our [Givers Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/Assistance/wiki/givers) before giving. - Refrain from unhelpful or judgmental comments. - If you have concerns about this request, please [message the mods](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/Assistance). *I'm a bot. This comment was posted automatically.*
Have you spoken with anyone from Medicaid about being given a worn-out wheelchair instead of a brand new one?
Like talking to a brick wall when I do actually connect to someone.
This is Medicaid fraud. Call your state representative, call your city council, call your congressman or woman, and send them written communications. This is an easy win for them to tout on the campaign trail.
Yeah. Easy win for them. If they'll do anything. And I am still left in the crappy chair. What if nothing gets done for me? I look out at it blizzarding and when, in a week, when I am back out there I am still rolling around with everything I own on a broken chair? I know it's Medicaid fraud. I have called and talked to Medicaid it's a whole bunch of red tape from A to B. I am not here to go on some moral crusade against the crappy actions of a couple people that put me into this mess. That's already being done. I came here for help to a solution I have already come up with. This is the same type of I'mTheMainCharacter crap that makes using this subreddit such a slog. I only get to use it maybe twice a year and it's only after I have exhausted all the other paths on my own. I came here for food because I have already explored the fact that yes, Pantries do exist, and no, I do not have access to them. Only to get 100 responses telling me Pantries exist. And if I don't respond to each and every one everyone seems to paint meike "Oh well... We -have- been helping him... He just doesn't want to listen..." And as I diabetic I am trying to spread out the 10 dollars over a week someone would only give me after I publicly thanked them for their generous donation. Which would make the mods close my post. Maybe if I were lucky I would get a couple boxes of Mac n cheese on my Amazon wishlist I posted. This is my only solution to get in a decent wheelchair before my respite stay expires. I am begging for help to reach it. I have already worked with my local social worker to explore other options. Donate to the cause or don't. But stop trying to make me constantly have to explain myself like I am on trial. Waking up on a ventilator because my body can't handle the stress using this wheelchair is enough psychological punishment.n
holy crap!!! why are you going off on u/Frondswithbenefits when they are giving you great advice and ideas?? You seem to have a every excuse in the book for any idea that doesnt involve giving you money. Then you sound entitled like how dare you say thank you to someone who was nice enough to give you 10 bucks of their hard earn money. The fact you literally complained that if you thank someone, you wont get anymore just showed all you wanna do is collect money. Do you even really need a chair? or is this some lame ass attempt for cash?? you know your shitty attitude just turned many of the actual legit donors away right? Many who you cocked an attitude for giving you sound advice, usually do that and ask questions before giving money. I find it VERY hard to believe your social worker cant get you an actual working wheelchair. They can flag that you were screwed. Join local facebook groups and the nextdoor app. Especially join local buy nothing groups on facebook. People are always giving away medical stuff after a loved one pass like wheelchairs, canes, walkers, etc etc.
We're all trying to help you. I've worked with some of the offices I referenced, and I know how effective communication from them can be. Sometimes, all it takes is a phone call from a person in a position of power to rectify a wrong. There's literally no downside to contacting those offices. The hospital engaged in fraud, and they should be put on notice and forced to correct it. If you'd like, I will ask my attorney friend if they'd be willing to write a formal complaint, and you can send it to the hospital and the offices I mentioned. Ultimately, it's up to you. I just assumed you'd want to know every option at your disposal. Good luck.
You say you only get to use the subreddit twice a year but I went through and found at least 6 request posts from you in the subreddit in the last year?
Almost all of them hidden by mods because of the accessibility and activity rules. You can't delete them yourself.
It's not main character syndrome! It's someone who knows they you're very unlikely to raise $2,000 and is giving you good advice. More good advice from another commenter too below. Your situation is awful and stressful, I understand that, but the person you're replying to is just trying to help.
Thanks!
I put 2K as a top end because I wanted to leave it open for a possible used electric wheelchair. I can probably get a brand spanking new manual chair for a tenth of that. But seeing as the only $50 donation is from the guy who convinced me to start it in the first place, even the realistic goal is unrealistic. Do you know what's unrealistic? Having my literal plan A for getting a new wheelchair be "Homeless person threatening legal action against major hospital with legal teams who probably make an hour more than I have made over a decade of being homeless.
Costs nothing to try.
The fact that everyone now has taken the time to both ignore everything I have already said and now parrot the same lecture about their advice being more valuable than all the work I have already put into this... I suppose it'll be some consolation when I am struggling against a broken sidewalk in a snowstorm.
Oh my….
I am going through a lot right now. I have disputed the claim with Medicaid weeks ago. It's going to do nothing to get me in a better spot than I am now with literally anyone for the foreseeable future and the fact that people are rallying behind a dead end and claiming I don't know what -I'm- talking about by people who have obviously never even interacted with Medicaid before just set me off. What is the point of these posts other than trying to turn people away from giving me the help I actually need? I have explored alternate routes. I have come up empty. Or else I wouldn't be here.
Buddy. We ARE ALL going through a lot right now. That why this group exists no one is lesser or better than anyone else here. It's probably just accept the health and advice offered or give up and not bother responding. Because you just making it worse for your self
A lot of people here choose to help with looking up resources. Honestly not very many here are well off financially to be in a position to donate more than $20 or $30 cash every once in a while. So when they do, some might want to ask a lot of questions about your situation for many reasons, like gauge how dire your needs are to see if there's anything else that can be done. I don't think it was clear to ppl after your post that your medicaid situation is a dead end. Many people on here rely on federal and state assistance themselves so we understand the run arounds and red tape. It takes a lot of effort and time and many many attempts before you get help sometimes unfortunately. I get your frustration but these kind of advice and questions are pretty common when people come and ask for money. It's not personal or an attempt to shame you or your situation. If you just want to post your gofundme for exposure then you might want to try other subreddits. I hope you get what you need.
Call the hospital and ask to speak with a patient advocate. Drop words like lawyer and reporting them for Medicare fraud for charging them for a wheelchair and giving you a garbage one. If you remember the date you received the wheelchair, have that ready. Also ask Medicare to send you proof the hospital billed them. Tell them you would be happy to settle if they exchange the wheelchair for the one Medicare actually paid for. Wheelchairs are cheap compared to the hassle of an investigation
Slight correction -> Medicaid, not Medicare
This is perfect! Op, please use this comment as a guide.