I thought I had settled it. One session of PT and one session of OT each week. That's what I asked for. And then I got a phone call asking me to come in and talk to the therapy office's social worker about some program Thing 2 could possibly get on that would pay for everything. Apparently, they didn't understand that my hangup over the twice a week sessions was more about time than money. So I went. And when I left, I seriously thought I might throw up. I honestly don't know why the whole thing bothered me so much. But it did. It does. The program is a medicaid waiver for medically dependent children. Basically, they waive any income requirements (because we could never, ever, ever, ever qualify for any kind of assistance. We don't need it. Even if we just had one income we'd be about 10 times over the income requirement. So imagine my shock when they asked me to apply for some medicaid program. I was like, "Um, I don't think you realize...." I was seriously embarassed.) But, the program is a medicaid waiver. So our income doesn't matter. But there are other requirements that I don't believe Thing 2 meets. However, they explained that there were some loopholes we could take that would, in fact, qualify her. And by loopholes, I mean big, gigantic hoops to jump through. But if I do it, she'll be on medicaid and things will be paid for. Now, I'm not going to tell you what the loopholes are. I will just say that when I told DH what they want me to do he asked if ACORN was involved and if the meeting was being recorded! Ha ha. But seriously, it was that kind of shady. Legal, but shady.I have several problems with this idea:(1). People "working the system" but me. I complain about it all the time. I don't believe you should be on government assistance unless you truly need it. We don't need it. At all. I have a cleaning lady for crying out loud. I would be embarassed to apply. If we needed the assistance, then sure. But we don't. And I believe it would be dishonest to take advantage of it. Someone reminded me that we all have a right to take advantage of public assistance because we pay taxes and therefore we pay for that right. I hadn't thought about it that way. And I think she's right. But I also believe there should be a true need. And in our case, there is not. Sure, the expenses are sometimes a strain. But there are a lot of extras we could cut out of the budget if push came to shove. (2). I don't believe Thing 2 at all qualifies for this program. Not at all. She has issues. She might be considered "medically complex" or even "medically fragile." But I do not believe she is "medically dependent." And the hoops I'd have to jump through to make her qualify prove it. It might be legal, but it's not me. I'm not going to make her into something she's not.(3). I have always thought there can be a different level--a lower level--of care associated with Medicaid. Some people say that's not true. Some people say it is. I believe that to be the case. I want the best for Thing 2. I believe we are fortunate enough to be able to provide the best. So, I don't want to take an easier, free, route just to save money. Maybe that's silly or foolish. But for us, we try not to make decisions about our childrens' care based solely on money. Yes it is a factor. But it is rarely the determining factor. So, today I will call the therapy place and tell them, once again, that we'll only be coming once a week. And then I will break the news to the social worker that, while we are grateful for her efforts and concern, this program is not for our family.It just seems like this was a really bizarre roadblock. Maybe even a test. I thought long and hard about it. But I know we've made the right decision. For all of us.Thing 2 is also getting fitted for her UCB orthotic inserts today. I don't know much about them or what to expect, other than I expect to pay about $500 bucks for them. Ha ha. I do think they'll help though. Two of our specialists and the PT and OT have said she really needs them for her pes planus, which I have learned is latin for flat feet. They say it will help stabilize her and cut back on some of the falling. I hope so. She needs that for sure.Yesterday was a weird day for her. She would not let go of me. She insisted I carry her everywhere and she constantly sat on my lap, clinging to me. That's bizarre behavior for her. I don't know what was up, but I hope she's feeling better and more secure today.
