The Bright Side

Posted on | February 17, 2012 | 14 Comments

I am a firm believer in silver linings.

Behind every cloud and lurking in every bad situation is a bright spot that we can latch onto that will help us get through.

I have seen it over and over in my life so when the bad things come I start looking around for that bright spot even while I’m crying my eyes out over what’s happening.

My silver lining revealed itself in my mailbox this morning. It arrived in the shape of a little white and blue card with my name embossed upon the front.

Somehow not just Katie qualified for medical assistance – I qualified as well.

***

When I decided to leave Wal-Mart and live off my book royalties it was with the knowledge that I was delaying some much-needed dental work. Instead of having it done sooner I decided to pursue my dream of being at home for my kid and place that dental work on hold.

I figured I would start getting my teeth fixed (I’ve some fillings that have fallen out) once my income grew enough to cover it.

Now to my delight I am able to have some dental work done. It will cover an exam, a cleaning and some fillings but nothing real fancy or expensive. This assistance is more than wonderful and I am very appreciative of this benefit.

I find myself wanting to shout “Thank YOU!” for this wonderful blessing.

You know, I’ve spent so many years watching people on the system. In my experience it benefited those who gamed the system more than those who legitimately needed help. I’ve seen people who made close to $100,000 cook their books to qualify for benefits, landlords who received Food Stamps and folks living in public housing with rims on their cars worth more than I make in a year.

I have seen people who were seriously down on their luck given a lifeline only to have it jerked back with the message that they didn’t qualify-pay it back please.

Heck when I was a kid my parents even discussed getting a divorce just to trick the system into giving them extra benefits (they didn’t do it thankfully).

* * *

When I went to apply for help I wasn’t even sure if we would qualify for medical assistance for Katie, much less food stamp (Snap) benefits or medical assistance for me. I figured that surely those quarterly Smashwords payments would put my assets out of the required range because they were so large. Boy was I ever wrong!

I find that I must amend some of my opinions of this governmental “safety net” as a result of the treatment I have received these past two weeks. Our bellies are full, Katie’s arm has healed and now I will soon be able to replace some missing fillings thanks to the United States Government.

I am humbled and very, very grateful.

Thank you Uncle Sam. I appreciate you.

Category: My Life, Single Parents
Tags: government benefits > Medical insurance

Comments

14 Responses to “The Bright Side”

meg
February 17th, 2012 @ 9:03 am

Oh, Annie, that’s fantastic!!! I know what you mean about the dental work–I’ve got two missing fillings and a molar that split in two a couple of years ago and not enough cash to get any of them fixed. Lord only knows how many cavities; I brush and floss and gently scrape and avoid sweets, but it’s not enough.

I’m relieved for your sake that you’re covered, too. Your frugality is so thorough, you didn’t even realize just how far below the poverty line you were living. Now you have an even greater likelihood of keeping it all together and succeed.
Annie
February 17th, 2012 @ 9:43 am

I was rather surprised Meg but I’m definitely not going to pass up the opportunity. I’ve not seen the business side of a dentist’s chair in several years so I am desperately overdue for a visit.

It funny – I avoid doctors like the plague but I’m looking forward to being able to eat without discomfort! I may see if I can save up for a new pair of glasses and get my eyes checked as well – it was 2006 since that was last done and I can tell my prescription has changed a bit…

This is such a relief… when Katie’s card arrives I plan to take her for a round of preventative care. I never had that when I was a kid and I don’t want her teeth to get in the condition mine are, you know?

One day I won’t need this and I’ll pay every penny back in taxes and whatnot but I am so happy for it now!
Marcy Drummonds
February 17th, 2012 @ 10:38 am

I love the line ” your frugality was so thorough, you didn’t know how far below the poverty line you were”.
I’m happy you’re getting some care for yourself, I’m happy that these benefits are, to you, actual BENEFITS. We’re Army, and I hear so much complaining about Army health care- which is excellent! Before that, my small kids and I were in the Indian health care system( which is very similar to the Army’s), same type of people bi%&$hing and moaning about FREE health care! I never understood that.(Maybe they got lesser health care because they went in with an attitude!) I taught my kids to always be polite, and to thank each person caring for them, and now that they’re adults and still being cared for by the Indians and still having good experiences. Anyway, Annie, about your glasses- I go to http://www.Zennioptical.com and there are many glasses frames that are $6.95. If you have a fairly straightforward prescription, the lenses are included. So, if you have a (somewhat) current prescription, the total cost will be $6.95, plus shipping($4.50 or so). Now, I have ordered several pair from them, and have been satisfied with each pair. One of my eyes is about 2x worse than my other eye, so if I order a pair with a large lens, I have to pay extra for a thinner lens, the most I have paid was $40.00 for a total pair shipped to my house. So, go to their site and get acquainted with it and I think you’ll be very happy. Just remember to get your doctor to write your pupil distance on your prescription, it’s very important. I did call Zenni’s customer service once, with a question about a frame, they were more than helpful.
Linda Sand
February 17th, 2012 @ 1:05 pm

I’m so happy for you! For the first time in my adult life I am without dental insurance so I finally know what it is like to have to decide whether or not it is worth it to go.
Donnita
February 17th, 2012 @ 1:14 pm

I am so happy for you Annie! I hope things continue to go in your favor. How wonderful!

I only recently discovered you from your book on Amazon, The Minimalist Cleaning Method. Though shortly after I purchased your book I found you all over the place. Youtube, Yahoo, Facebook, this blog.. and I think a few other places.

I have made the 1 gallon liquid laundry soap recipe and am a complete convert. Some people in my life think I’m nuts and others are beating a path to my door to do it too!

Thanks for putting yourself out there! I am hanging on every word of your stories. They are inspirational. Keep your chin up!
Annie
February 17th, 2012 @ 1:24 pm

Thank you so much for purchasing my book Donnita! I so appreciate you! Readers like yourself are why I do what I do – and comments like yours are the fuel that keeps me going. Thank you so much! If you have any questions or comments please don’t hesitate! Thanks!
Annie
February 17th, 2012 @ 1:28 pm

Dear Linda,
It is definitely a different perspective when you live without insurance. As a child my parents took me to the dentist twice: one round when I was 5 and entering kindergarten and a second round in 7th grade when a dental clinic opened in the mountains that charged on a sliding scale.

As an adult I’ve mostly went on the occasions I’ve had insurance but those occasions have been few and far between.

Do you have a dental clinic around that you can go to? Sometimes they will treat you for very little expense. I would have done that myself but the nearest dental college was a long ways away. Good luck!
Annie
February 17th, 2012 @ 1:42 pm

Dear Marcy,
Thank you very much for the link! I will definitely check it out. I hope my readers who are in need of eyeglasses can use it as well.

I was in the Army years ago – their medical care IS excellent! A friend of mine had a custom dental bridge built for him while he was in the military – a civilian dentist later told him that the bridge alone (not including the other dental work they did for him) was worth several thousand dollars.

I have seen those ungrateful ones both in civilian and military positions. Some have gotten support checks from the government since they were teens and have NEVER had to work in their lives yet they complain because the free medical coverage won’t pay for eyeglasses on adults (which I understand because that could become expensive fast) or other procedures. I’m just delighted that I have qualified for what I have and will be happy to live within their limits. It is definitely better than not having any coverage at all.

It is my hope that one day this nation can provide reasonable health care for ALL Americans regardless of income level. I think this would work wonders for our nation in so many ways. It may not be able to pay for everything but if it covered some basics that would be wonderful. Here’s hoping!
Megyn @MinimalistMommi
February 17th, 2012 @ 2:00 pm

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! I too felt like you…people just abusing the system. That was until we needed it. I’m so glad you were able to get some much needed benefits. If anyone out there deserves it, it is YOU! <3!
Annie
February 17th, 2012 @ 6:00 pm

Thanks Megyn!
Karen
February 18th, 2012 @ 2:17 pm

Annie, thank you for re-thinking your position on public benefits. There is not nearly as much abuse as people think. Sadly, it’s the people who think there is a lot of abuse who are the ones who keep voting politicians in office that want to cut the benefits for everyone. Adults in California on Medicaid can no longer get dental coverage. I will even put it out there that social programs in this country (such as Medicaid) are a small fraction of the cost of the benefits we give to huge corporations in tax breaks.
Anyway, I hope you will take this opportunity to get your own preventive care done that you’ve no doubt been putting off. And thank you also for supporting national health care for all. What kind of country that calls itself humane would not provide such care?
AK
February 20th, 2012 @ 12:28 pm

I’m so glad to hear that you are able to take care of yourself. Being healthy is important, no doubt! I agree that it is a struggle to work and go without when others are so frivoulous with their governement help. It makes me sick!
diane wayne
February 20th, 2012 @ 4:27 pm

I am glad to read that you and your daughter will have adequate health care. I do think you should reconsider your gratitude. it is not the government who makes it possible. It is the people who work and pay taxes who are providing that help to you. Just as those who need help are not statistics, but real people, so are those who pay the taxes that cover those benefits. I wish you and your daughter well.
Annie
February 21st, 2012 @ 12:53 am

Thank you Diane you have a very valid point. If it were not for taxpayers these benefits would not exist.

Annienygma

You don't need money to be rich.

The Bright Side

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