Help for Quasimodem

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

We have received an email from Quasimodem detailing some of the difficulties he has encountered in real life lately. Mostly they’re centered around his medical condition, not being able to work and support himself, and all the miseries involved, which are many.

He’s in a hard place and could use your help on most every front.

He needs to find a local attorney here in Georgia that can truly help him with his legal issues – he has obtained counsel but they do not appear to be truly helpful.

He needs someone who can advocate for him on disability issues – perhaps some sort of human resource person, someone who has experience transitioning people who have lost everything due to debilitating illness to get them to a more stable place in society. I have no clue who or what that might be but perhaps one of you do.

And he also could use help of a financial nature – the need is severe.

Quasi has a PayPal account under the email listed in his profile. If you do not have a PayPal account or would like to help in other ways please contact me at my email address and let’s see what we can do to make this happen. If you wish to help and remain anonymous likewise let me know and I’ll work with you to make it so.

Anything you can do to help him in any way – even if all you can do is wish him well – that’s a gift.

Dopers have a long history of kindness and generosity to fellow members of the community. You have saved many and helped much and I hope you rise to do so again.

Thank you for reading this.

PS I should say this situation was fully discussed with the staff and Ed Zotti n advance and we approve the posting of this message. That’s the way we handle these unusual situations, we hear about them ahead of time, we sort them out, and mostly we approve.

2

The department of Social Services for the county normally has a list of advocates that volunteer to help get through the problems. I don’t know if he has seen anybody seeking support from them, but that is the place to go to find out what help is available. Maybe listing the state and better yet the city he is in would help in this search. He probably qualifies for food money if nothing else, which is helpful. They also have some emergency discretionary funds available at times to keep the utilities on. They also know what charitable places will help.+

This is important don’t let the claim lapse because you didn’t keep challenging the denials. There are people that will help you fill out forms if you need it. Those are the volunteers.

3

I need to let y’all know something:

I thought about this a very long time before writing Marley, because I’d much rather be on the “giving” end than the receiving one.

As I wrote TD, ever since this whole thing started (this past March) we have both been very proactive in trying to solve our problems, including the food stamp issue.

The major obstacle seems to be that I made too much money last year (55k) o qualify right now. So we will re-apply when that time frame passes.

We are currently living with my elderly sister-in-law, and paying her a measly 100.00 a month rent, because, with all my medical expenses, my wife’s medical expenses, the drugs we have to buy and the doctors we have to see, there just isn’t enough money left to make ends meet.

We are “up to speed” on all the paper-work and are turning everything they send us back in and following up as best we can, but with my memory problems, the bulk of all that falls on my wife, who in addition to me is taking care of her sister and brother.

As I wrote earlier, this doesn’t come easy to me, since a year ago my credit rating was in the upper 700’s

Because of the dementia, I let my wife take care of anything financial, and she’s doing the best she can with her part-time job, but now even she is overwhelmed.

I get an “allowance” of $50.00 a month, which pays for my toiletries and my WoW membership (which is the ONLY “luxury” I allow myself - and I have even volunteered to give that up, but D knows that is one of the few things that brings me pleasure and says “no”). The internet is paid in with the cable bill which my SIL pays.

Right now, due to my SIL, we’ve a roof over our heads, but we’d both be homeless if it weren’t for that.

Believe me, It is very difficult for me to ask this and I wish to God it were not necessary, but even if it’s just some good vibes or prayers, it’s all appreciated, and, as I have always said, I love my Doper kids and I am glad you’re here and hope you’ll be here for a very long time to come.
Thanks

Bill

4

Dopers have fat wallets and even fatter hearts. I’m always amazed at what we’re able to accomplish. Let’s make this a good one, guys!

5

I got your WOW membership, give me a quick PM so we can hammer out the details.

6

Zip, I’m raining here, and we don’t need any more rain in Georgia! :wink:

I just got my e-mail from PayPal! Thank you!!! Totally awesome!

Bill

aruvqan: PM on the way, and thank YOU as well!

I guess it’s good that I’m on a “mood-stabilzer” huh?:wink:

Quasi

7

PayPal donation sent. Don’t spend it all in one place! :slight_smile:

8

I see he’s in Georgia. Duh! :smack: Good thing I read through the post a few times to be sure the state wasn’t mentioned and still asked for it.:slight_smile:

9

TubaDiva–email me his snail mail addy, & I’ll cut him a check.

10

I am not listing Quasi’s snail mail address here – that’s never a good idea – but I’ll be happy to give it to anyone who sends email/private message, etc.

If you prefer to remain anonymous I can handle that too – I’ll forward to Quasi without identifying info. Just let me know what you need.

And yes, those of us who are North Georgia residents are facing lots more rain in the next 48 hours. That’s me and Quasi and a bunch of other people.

I’m trapped in my neighborhood already – the street collapsed into a huge sinkhole around the corner from my house and is closed and the bridge at the beginning of my subdivision is likewise closed for time as yet undetermined. We have water issues in our basement – not as bad as others, we’re not floating boats – but it’s a problem right now without more rain. And there’s more rain coming. A weather prayer would not be amiss now, pray for drought. :slight_smile:

11

Couple of things come to mind here.

IF Quasi is presently represented by counsel, other lawyers may be reluctant to discuss his case with him.

If he isn’t represented, he may wish to contact Atlanta Legal Aid Society for advice and/or possible representation.

I think, but am not certain, that any income received, including donations, would have to be reported for both food stamp and legal aid eligibility purposes.

12

Oakie

First of all, I’m glad to see my friend back on The Dope.

The only counsel currently representing me are Binder & Binder, the SSDI lawyers, and that’s all they do.

I had been considering bankruptcy, but since I can’t even get up the funds to do that, I have put everything on “hold” for now as far as that goes.

Right now we just need to get the IRS, some medical bills, and some MINOR credit cards taken care of.

Just a little “breathing room”, as it were?

I am in the process of writing letters to all my creditors telling that while I am not disputing the debt, neither am I able to pay it. Right now!

I WANT to do the right thing here if I can.

I incurred the debts, yes, but due to unforseen circumstances, I cannot pay them yet.

For someone who just this past MARCH was being offered higher credit limits because of my great payment record, this is like a mortar going off in my face, and I am still reeling from the shock of it.

Thanks, Oakminster. I haven’t forgotten that you were there during my meltdowns, and I have not forgotten my friend.

Quasi

13

Quasi, I’m sending you a Paypal donation. I’m sorry it’s so low, but I’m a college student, and things are tight right now. I hope you find yourself in a better place soon.

14

XWalrus2

Thank you!

And please don’t be concerned about the amount?

If you had sent nothing at all, I would have been just as grateful!

Above all else, I treasure the friendship of all here. I just wish it had not been necessary to ask this of you.

I do treasure you all.

Thanks

Quasi

15

Quasi, buddy…don’t do this. Talk to the folks at the place I linked upthread. They are a non-profit law firm that exists to help low income clients with a variety of issues. They likely would only require you to pay court costs if they filed something on your behalf. At this point, there’s not much to be gained in even talking to your creditors, and certainly not in writing, without talking to a bankruptcy lawyer first.

Also, forget that “do the right thing” stuff. The right thing is to do what is best for you under the circumstances here. Spend your money on the things that you have to have…food, medicine, utilities, housing. Medical bills and credit cards are unsecured debt. You can’t be jailed for not paying it. You have no wages to garnish. You have no obligation to talk to creditors or collection agents. You can likely protect certain other assets if applicable, depending on the laws of your state. It won’t cost you anything to discuss your case with the folks at Atlanta Legal Aid. If bankruptcy is not the best option for you, they may be able to suggest other alternatives.

16

I concur with the above. Pay your necessities first, and screw the rest - that is what bankruptcy is for.

You may want to call the Bar Association for your county. Tell them you need pro bono legal services for bankruptcy. Most, if not all, bar associations keep a list of attorneys who volunteer their time and resources, and bankruptcy lawyers are always in demand.

They may suggest that you hold off filing for a while - if you’re continuing to incur crushing debt medically, it’s not a bad strategy to stay out of BK for a while, adding as much as you can before you file. You cannot file again for 8 years, so make sure (as much as you can) that you can handle what’s coming.

IANAL, but I’ve been a bankruptcy paralegal for twelve years. If you decide to go pro se and file your own BK, I can give you some help with that. The filing fee is $299, and I may be able to talk my boss into paying the associated credit counseling fees.

17

I know you two have my best interests at heart, but what you DON’T know is that I have already had to re-build my credit once, back in the mid 80’s.

I got a very small account at a clothing store and, bit by bit, re-built my credit, and was able to buy a car, make payments on it, keep them up and finally got some “self-respect” back, got my credit rating up high enough to apply for a MasterCard, and until last March, had a LOT of self-respect.

See?

BEEN there DONE that, and came out of it, and now I’m back in it again, and, along with getting old and demented, I have once again lost my self-esteem because my credit (I thought) was associated with my “good name”.

I WANT to listen to you guys, but EVERYTHING in my brain screams, “Ya fucked up again, Buddy!”

EVERYTHING you’re telling me to do goes “against the grain” of my mind-set. I just feel that I owe this money, and it’s killing me that I cannot pay it.

Today, I opened up a lot of heretofore ignored mail, and my GOD, some of the wording liked to knocked me flat on my ass!

The money’s owed, what was bought with it was enjoyed, and now that I can’t pay it back, it’s about to tear me up.

I’m sorry. I don’t know what to tell y’all, but this is a big part of what’s wrong with me: I got my self-esteem back, held it for a few years, and now I’m losing it again.

Sucks to be me, ah reckon!:wink:

Q

18

Quasi, this is not your fault. You didn’t ask to get sick. It happened anyway. You are not the first person to have money problems caused by illness, and you won’t be the last. This is not a matter of honor, or protecting your good name, or anything else other than doing what you need to do in very difficult circumstances. Filing bankruptcy may not be in your best interest at this time. At least talk to the folks at Atlanta Legal Aid, and learn what your options are. The consultation will be confidential and free. Talk to them about bankruptcy, SSD/I, any other legal issues you may have, and ask about referrals for any other social services/programs you may be eligible to use. You paid taxes for most of your life to pay for these programs, and they exist to help people in your situation.

Just talk to them. Do it just to humor me. Deal?

19

Quasi :
I forgot to tell paypal a name you might recognize…duh!

Debbi = Dragonlady!

20

Monday morning, first thing.

So much stuff to have “wade through”, though, huh?

I’m a veteran, but still I have to jump through so many hoops to get care.

And then I think about our kids over there now and how I don’t wanna mess up the hoops they have to jump through, just because I clogged up the system.

But I’ll do it, Oakie.

I’ll do it.

Thanks

Quasi