Once Heck of a BIG Problem! (Help!!)

AquaBlue

AquaBlue

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A giant obstacle stands between me and my goals to one day become a professional Terp. My current plans are to achieve a college degree in the field and to get certified prior to entering the field. But a tall hurdle stands between that goal and my health.

You see I am currently on disability because of an illness I sadly possess. I suffer from a sever form of bipolar disorder (as mentioned on another thread). Because of this sad fact I have no choice but to be a disabled individual; and as a result I get low cost medication (a vital aspect of my condition- just one of my numerous pills (just one) cost nearly $300 per month- so MediCare is the only way I can affort the cost), and the quality medical attention I receive is another very important need in my current situation.

You see I can’t function normally (in daily life) without these two things: meds and medical supervision. Both are highly costly so government help is my sole option in order to lead a somewhat normal existence.

Now if I am able to perform normally in a job situation (while under medication), I will be removed from the government aid (from disability). The bad news is that by working I lose all my medical benefits and my illness will overtake my life (again) and erase all of my progress. So I am in a bind.

Work (as a Terp) without medical and medicinal assistance, or not work (never be a Terp) and forever be bound to the limitations of both my illness and finances. Those are the only two avenues ahead of me. It is either one or the other.

I have pondered this impossible situation and have not come up with any solution. So the decision is either to choose my health (remain disabled) or to choose a normal independent life as professional Terp (while somehow coping (somehow) with the dire effects of non-medicated mental illness).

This dilemma is truly a tough one to solve. I am seriously concerned and this problem has put a damper on my inclination to one day reach all my personal goals.

What are your thoughts?
Any replies (solutions)?

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Depressive Episodes

Depressive episodes are characterized by overwhelming feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Symptoms may include:

  • Sadness
  • Excessive crying
  • Loss of pleasure
  • Abnormal sleep
  • Low energy
  • Restlessness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Loss of appetite or overeating
  • Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Manic Episodes

Manic episodes are periods of elated mood, which can include racing thoughts, extreme irritability or reckless behavior. Symptoms may include:

  • Inappropriate sense of euphoria (elation)
  • Racing thoughts; talking too much
  • Extreme irritability
  • Reckless behavior
  • Abnormal sleep
  • Excessive energy
  • Out of control spending
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Abnormally increased activity, including sexual activity
  • Poor judgment
  • Aggressive behavior
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Gee, AB .... I feel for you as my cousin (in-law) has bipolar, he used to be a lawyer, now works from home & freelances (down in Oz). Could you do the same, freelancing without the threat of government aid removal?
 
I think you should follow your dream of professional Terp. I understand that once you gain employment, you may lose your medical benefits. $300 per month is a lot of money, especially if one doesn't have the money and/or other expenses to pay. But, who knows what will happen in the future? I mean, maybe the current health system will improve, and the government can continue assisting your medical needs?

I am also sure you will be able to afford $300 per month when you are working? Moreover, your wellbeing is also important. Would you rather be on disability or would you rather work in a job that you enjoy? Maybe you can also work part-time, so that the government can support you?

I sincerely hope work out for you.
 
Very simple to answer. Work for an agency, you will have health benefits. If you insist on working independently, you can always buy individual insurance. It's not as dramatic a choice as you think, no need for a pity party. :)
 
What about the insurance that your job will provide?
 
Etoile said:
Very simple to answer. Work for an agency, you will have health benefits. If you insist on working independently, you can always buy individual insurance. It's not as dramatic a choice as you think, no need for a pity party. :)
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:ty::ty: Yeah...........why wouldn't you just think to find a terp job that has benifits as Etoile mentioned? There are plenty of them out there!!! Stop with the sorry for me stuff and go forward. Quite frankly it's a bit rude to complain that you are "willingly" not working so you can be on medicade and such when there are plenty of people out there in the world who would do anything to have a job but can't in this crazy economy right now.
 
First, thank you all for your inpout. Second, I do not want to sound as if I want pity :)giggle:)- why would I want for you to feel pity for me?? Third, it is very hard for an insurance company, self paid or not, to accept a person with a pre-existing condition such as bipolar disorder. Lastly, this is not a simple question, this is a serious question...not easy at all.
 
AquaBlue said:
First, thank you all for your inpout. Second, I do not want to sound as if I want pity :)giggle:)- why would I want for you to feel pity for me?? Third, it is very hard for an insurance company, self paid or not, to accept a person with a pre-existing condition such as bipolar disorder. Lastly, this is not a simple question, this is a serious question...not easy at all.
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Won't this be a problem no matter which profession you choose? So you might as well stick with a profession that you want, and work out the insurance problem by searching for the right employer.
 
Okay, so it appears that I am making a mountain out of mole hill in this case and that I should not be so afraid of my illness ruining my career hopes. If that's the case then I will sleep a little easier tonight. You all do not sound alarmed so that eases my mind. No big deal I guess. So I'll keep on trucking with my lessons and relax my worries...all will be fine later. :fingersx:
 
deafbajagal said:
Speak with a VR counselor to see if they can help with expenses. ???
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Took the words right out of my mouth. Contact your local BVR agency and get intough with a good VR counselor that can assist you with these issues. There are ways to work, and retain your medical benefits at the same time. BVR can aslo help you with ways to pay for schooling while not having an effect on your current disability payments. One of the first options you need to look at is getting the training and education that will allow you to eventually realize your goals without loosing medical and presecription benefits that allow you to benefit from that training.

There are solutions out there AB. You just need help in finding them. Find a VR counselor that you can work with, and most especially, make sure that you find one that is experienced in dealing with Bi-polar disorder. Some VR counselors specialize in particular disabilities. You need one that not only works with people with mental illnesses, but one also that is familiar with the deaf community and thier needs. This happens to be my particular area of expertise....but you need someone with whom you can develop a one on one personal relationship that has a full understanding of your needs and ways in which to help you reach your goals in the area in which you live. Finding a counselor that you are comfortable with is important. Not all counselors are perfect matches for all clients. But I am certain, giventhe diversity in the counseling field, there is someone out there that you will be able to work with.

I think your situation is beginning to overwhelm you because you are concentrating on long term goals without breaking it down into more reasonable short term goals that will allow you to make it to the long term goal. Start small. First, get in touch with your closest BVR office and do a self referral. Second, meet with the counselor assigned to you, and explain your situation and your concerns. Once you have accomplished that, you will be ready to set additional goals for yourself, and will be provided the assistance you need to achieve them. Concentrate on what you can do right now that will put you on the path to realizing your dreams. It seems that looking too far down the road without a plan in place to get to your destination is overwhelming you and throwing obstacles into your path. Remember, any journey can only be undertaken one step at a time.You can't arrive at the end without walking the beginning and the middle first.

I know that you are anxious to accomplish your goals. But be patient with yourself. None of us get what we want overnight. You must be willing to take the small steps first, and be satisfied that, while you may not be at the end yet, you are making progress. Keep me informed.
 
AquaBlue said:
First, thank you all for your inpout. Second, I do not want to sound as if I want pity :)giggle:)- why would I want for you to feel pity for me?? Third, it is very hard for an insurance company, self paid or not, to accept a person with a pre-existing condition such as bipolar disorder. Lastly, this is not a simple question, this is a serious question...not easy at all.
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Aqua, thanks for the new word.

in-pout [IN-powt] noun. 1. the act of pouting on-line.

Humor aside, my family harbored a manic-depressive personality for as long as we can remember. Part of the condition is to maintain center-stage by any means possible, no consequences felt about the many victims. Pity parties, deny-deny-deny, and blame cast on anyone and everyone occurred nearly every day.

Heartfelt advice is to stay on medication and supervision and persue dreams in safer, more stable ways. Deafies have enough problems without interpreters bouncing between Heaven and Hell.
 
Chase said:
Heartfelt advice is to stay on medication and supervision and persue dreams in safer, more stable ways. Deafies have enough problems without interpreters bouncing between Heaven and Hell.
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I know what you mean. There is a really high incidence of depression and alcoholism (seriously!) among interpreters who don't have mental illness to begin with. The job requires you to look very, very, very honestly at yourself as a person and as a service provider. You have to accept criticism with a totally open mind and heart. Interpreters also suffer from...crud, I can't think of the term right now, but it's basically being affected indirectly by audism (i.e. the stress of having to interpret, almost every day, the stupid, cruel, and ignorant things hearing people say to deaf people). Conversely, you will have to be confident enough in yourself and your skills to handle it if your deaf clients are rude or dismissive, even if it has nothing to do with you personally.

AB, I would never presume about your currently stability and the effectiveness of your medication. But know that interpreting requires a very calm and stable personality because of all the shit you're going to have to put up with, both in terms of personalities and in terms of the work you do. I would not recommend you do not become an interpreter, but I would recommend you very seriously think about whether you feel secure enough in your mind, body, and emotions to take on this huge responsibility. If you find you do not, there are many other ways to work with deaf people that might be a better match for you (and of course there's no reason not to learn sign language!).

As a partly (physically) disabled person myself, I urge you to consider this carefully.

AquaBlue said:
...or to choose a normal independent life as professional Terp (while somehow coping (somehow) with the dire effects of non-medicated mental illness).
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Here I would categorically state that I think this is a very, very bad idea for many, many reasons. It has a high potential of negatively affecting you and your hearing and deaf clients as well as your fellow terps. Please do not choose this as an option.
 
I too deal with bi-polar, but without medication. One week Im in a euphoric state, the next Im bitchy.

I know that when I hit the euphoric state Im downright crazy, insane, I'll go spend my hard earned cash (why do you think its taking me so long to get my money in order?), I'll have a million thoughts running through my mind, I'll even fantasize about sex. I'll go on a writing frenzy. I'll spend hours taking photos. Something to fulfill my creative side.

On the other end of the spectrum, I'll be bitchy, edgy, thinking violent thoughts, isolate myself in my room, I just hide from the world. This is the side I dont want people seeing but its there. You can tell when Ive hit the depressive side - I dont come online very much. I'll avoid people as much as possible. I'll eat less, just enough to keep my sugar in check. Sometimes its gotten quite dangerous.

But through all of this, I remain un-medicated (Im not even sure my company insurance covers this sort of thing.) and secondly Ive managed to keep a job for *almost* a year this time around.

I cant blame my job history entirely on my bi-polar, Ive just got to understand if I lose my job, Ive lose everything. Despite days I force myself out of bed I go to work, work a full shift then come home.

Some people are able to tough it out, others arent. Like Jillio said you need to break this down into smaller steps that are more doable. I think alot of the obstacles we face in life are ones we place there ourselves. We just have rise above the ones we cant move and carryon.
 
My understanding is that when you work.......you can still be eligible for medicare (it might have a different name) assitance. It is a sliding scale attached to your ability to pay for the specified medical care or medication. The more you earn the less they help you but you should be eligible for co-payment.
Honestly, with high cost meds or care you basically not getting ahead and would be on limited income but retain your dignity working.
A higher earning career field may help.
As someone mentioned above....high human interaction type employment might not be greatest bet. I have to do lot of things to control my daily environment. Control stress situations. It's also something we get better at as we get older. Life management.
 
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