theshipscommander

[theshipscommander]

Being disabled/chronically ill is expensive!

I don't know if people realize how freaking expensive it is to be disabled. I have a complex medical history, which includes two rare genetic illnesses, comorbidities associated with those two illnesses, and several mental health conditions. Just to give an idea of how expensive it is (USA-centric):

I'm forced into living in a specific city, since that's where the medical specialists for my illnesses are located in. On top of that, sometimes the specific specialists I need aren’t covered by my insurance, so I have to pay out-of-pocket. Each medical specialist (when covered by insurance) costs me $40/visit. I average 2-3 visits per month.

Wheelchairs and everything related to wheelchairs are ridiculously priced! If you’re a regular manual wheelchair user, for example, you likely need what’s referred to as a “custom ultra-lightweight wheelchair”. The main companies known for making these wheelchairs are TiLite, Quickie, RGK, Kuschall, and Ki Mobility. If you go on the websites for these manufacturers, you’ll see that just the frame will start you at $2,000+. Need titanium instead of aluminum to make the chair lighter? Extra $1,000. Need to add a seat cushion? More $$. Need to add a power assist device like a SmartDrive? Extra $6-7,000

Seriously, wheelchair parts are expensive. Manual wheelchair wheels will run you about $500 to $800 each (take a look at websites like Spinergy to see what I mean). Wheelchair tires will run at about $300 for the pair.

Mental healthcare! Competent psychiatric care is difficult to come by, at least where I live. Most psychiatrists are not contracted with any insurance companies. My own psychiatrist is $200 per visit, and that’s considered cheap in my area. Then, add on the cost of weekly therapy. My therapist is $150/session. Again, typical price for the area. Need residential treatment? As an example, my insurance quoted me $750 per day until the out-of-pocket max of $6,500 was met.

The monthly cost of medications! I take 7 medications. Even if each medication was “only” $10/month, that would total to $70/month.

The cost of specialized diets. Many chronic illnesses require special foods, supplements, and overall diets. A lot of these diets require extra time and expenses beyond what the average non-disabled person spends.

I wanted to spread some awareness on this issue because, even among my friend group, I regularly get surprised reactions on this topic. Disabled people are often low-income due to being unable to work consistently or at all, while also having some of the highest expenses—with many of those expenses having to be paid for completely out-of-pocket. While a lot of the examples I used above were specific to the US healthcare system, I’m aware that it’s still similarly expensive to be disabled in other countries as well.

A lot of this wasn’t even taking into consideration the cost of more expensive medical equipment, like power chairs, as well as irregular medical costs that occur more frequently among disabled people—like surgeries, hospitalizations, and the cost of diagnostic testing (MRIs, X-Rays, bloodwork, etc.).

Disabled people are taken advantage of when it comes to the price of medical equipment and medications because we don’t have a choice if we want to live and/or have any quality of life. We pay it, or we suffer.

[theshipscommander]

So here’s a little “hack” for any of my disabled peeps looking for a wheelchair because we don’t gatekeep.

I am currently in the process of getting a POTS and Ehlers Danlos diagnosis. Last November marked 1 year of having/suspecting I have POTS. It’s been harder for me to get out and about due to tachycardia. I can only walk a short distance before experiencing tachycardia and pre-syncope. I also am dealing with a lot of dislocations and joint pain from the Ehlers Danlos. (I got fibromyalgia too)

So I cannot get a custom wheelchair because I don’t have any official diagnosis under my belt yet. I won’t be getting in to seeing a geneticist until July and a neurologist in June. Luckily my referral to the Cardiologist was put in as urgent and that is later this month.

There is a company called Not a Wheelchair that “takes out the middle man” (the process of doctors and insurance) that builds custom wheelchairs for only $1,000 (If you don’t get any of the add-ons)

You can measure yourself and put in your measurements for your wheelchair. The frame is a rigid frame and I believe the tires are airless. You can also see a 3-D model of your wheelchair while you are customizing it. You can choose what footplate you want, the color of your frame and much more.

I know at first $1,000 sounds really expensive and unreasonable, but a CUSTOM WHEELCHAIR for that price is unheard of. Typically customs chairs range from $3,000-$15,000. Also, the wait time to get your chair through insurance can be 6 months to even a year. For this company, it takes 6-8 weeks for them to build your chair, then ship it.

I hope this helps anyone who was looking for a manual wheelchair customized to their dimensions but either couldn’t or didn’t want to go through insurance.

[theshipscommander]

Gotta love the British press.

[theshipscommander]

Help Mohamad reunite his family and clear his debt

I am reaching out on behalf of my dear friend, Mohamad S., who is facing one of the most challenging times of his life. Mohamad is 37 years old and left his homeland in 2015 in search of a safer and better future. He’s a kind, hardworking man, and his small family has always been his greatest priority.

Living abroad, Mohamad has recently endured unimaginable loss and financial strain. Amidst the ongoing conflict in his homeland, his mother passed away, leaving behind his sister and her five young children—the last remaining members of his immediate family.

As the situation worsened, Mohamad managed to help his sister and her children escape to safety in Egypt, covering their immediate needs and securing a temporary refuge for them. Since then, he has been fully responsible for providing everything they need to survive during this transition.

In his efforts to support his family and cope with this devastating loss, Mohamad has found himself deeply in debt. To make matters even more difficult, he recently underwent knee surgery, which limits his ability to return to work for the foreseeable future. This has made it even harder for him to manage his financial responsibilities and the pressing need to provide his family with a stable future.

Mohamad is now working to bring his sister and her five children to join him in Belgium, where he hopes they can find stability and opportunity after all they’ve endured. This transition, however, requires significant resources that he is currently unable to meet alone.

For privacy reasons, we are not sharing Mohamad’s full name, as he has chosen to keep his identity discreet. While he initially refused the idea of asking for help, I couldn’t stand by and watch him struggle alone. I insisted on doing this for him because he deserves a chance to overcome these challenges and provide a stable future for his family.

Your contribution will help Mohamad repay the debt incurred during this difficult time, cover ongoing living expenses for his family, and assist with the costs involved in bringing them safely to Belgium.

Mohamad has been a good friend of mine for years, and I’ve always admired his resilience and generosity. Any support, no matter the size, will make an incredible difference in helping Mohamad and his family rebuild their lives after these painful experiences.

Thank you for reading his story and considering helping a man who has always done everything he can for his loved ones.

[theshipscommander]

Merry Christmas from Wrecker

[theshipscommander]

The children have returned to their studies, but without a school or shelter. ☹️

They are my siblings’ children, enduring the hardships of war in Gaza. 💔

🇵🇸🍉

Vetted by @/gazavetters and is #2 on their vetted list. Also personally confirmed and vetted by @/mohammedalanqer ( #174 on Verified fundraiser list by el-shab-hussein and nabulsi )

@sabertoothwalrus @90-ghost @ankle-beez

@afro-elf @anarcho-smarmyism @amygdalae

@a-shade-of-blue @lesbianmaxevans

@leepacey @leepacey @lexbianrose @moringmark @nonbinarymerbabe @briaristheworst @bundibird @weirdmarioenemies @queenofglitch @ot3

💔🍉🇵🇸

[theshipscommander]

Hi 👋, My name is Mohammad, and I’m reaching out in a moment of desperate need. I’m a father of three young children living in Gaza, and we are caught in the midst of a catastrophic war. Our home is no longer a safe haven, and the future here seems increasingly uncertain. 💔

I’ve launched a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $40,000 to relocate my family to a safer place where my children can grow up in peace and have a chance at a brighter future.

Unfortunately, my previous fundraising efforts were abruptly halted when my account was terminated without explanation. However, I remain determined to keep fighting for my family’s safety and well-being. 🫶

If you could take a moment to read our story, consider donating, or simply share our campaign with others, it would make an incredible difference. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to safety and a new beginning. 🙏

Thank you for your time, compassion, and support. ❤️‍🩹

https://gofund.me/fd1faea2 🔗

Hello! I would like to apologize for taking so long to reply to you. I have been so busy with school and my health. While I am unable to donate currently, I will spread your go fund me to everyone I know and everyone I can. My friends care about Palestine as well.

[theshipscommander]

Hello dears ! I am asking you to support my campaign to help me to reach my goal. I am now in bad need to your support to help me stay alive and safe. Gaza is a very dangerous place either on the level of livelihood or on the level of souls. I need your monetary support to ensble me to get the basic needs for my family till Rafah crossing point reopens to move my family to safety and peace.Pleasd help a family be alive through your small donations or througn your shares to others.Thank you so much for your stand beside people in need .

Hello, I apologize for how long it took me to get back to to you. I have been under a lot of stress and haven't been online lately. I have by me posting this you can receive donations to help you and your family.

[theshipscommander]

Obviously this is an adorable bit but I'm so struck by how different this is from so many little kid shows today like.......the muted colors. no background noise. no sound effects. you can literally hear Jim Henson breathing between his lines. Ernie is talking very slowly, meandering, letting the kids digest the info. it's a full minute before you get the payoff of it all. man

[theshipscommander]

I feel this on a personal level lol!

i’m losing my mind

[theshipscommander]

Hello everyone, I hope you are all well 👋🌹

At the moment I send you this message, my aunt, a 60-year-old Palestinian woman, is besieged by the occupation in the northern Gaza Strip 💔💔

Despite the loss of our homes, my aunt and I, our priority is to get her out and provide her with a safe passage and a travel opportunity to safety in Egypt when the Rafah crossing opens again 🙏🙏💔

I hope you can help us by donating or sharing. Thank you, my friends 🫂🤍

Hello, I apologize for replying to you so late, I have been busy with school I haven't been on social media. I will definitely try and donate and I hope my post will encourage others to donate. ❤️

[theshipscommander]

Hello everyone 👋♥️

I hope you are all well and healthy 🤍

In fact, my friend Bilal and his family who are stuck in the northern Gaza Strip are not well in light of the closure of the Rafah crossing and the lack of a safe passage for travel.

These donations will go to a Palestinian family who wants to cross the safety line to Egypt the moment the Rafah crossing opens 🙏💔

Thank you and I hope you are all well 🤍

Thank you for reaching out to me. I apologize for my late response, I've been so busy with school I haven't been on social media lately. I will definitely try and donate and I hope this post encourages other people to donate!

[theshipscommander]

Hello, is mariam weirema from Gaza, I have started a campaign to seek help to get rid of the genocide in Gaza, I am reaching out to you with a warm heart so that you can share my post against friends and family to spread the word, and a small donation💰 if you can, Please I am on my knees asking you to help me complete this.

Thanks for your kindness and generosity 🕊🙏🇵🇸

Hello, I am so sorry for replying to your message so late. I have been so bombarded with school that I haven't really been on social media lately. I will definitely try and donate, and I hope my post will encourage other to do so as well. Thank you for reaching out to me! 🫶🏼

[theshipscommander]

‼️Emergency please don't skip‼️

🇵🇸 save family lost their home ,dreams and everything in Gaza 🇵🇸

This is my home before the war and after the war how it became💔💔💔

Before: After:

We have been through many wars before, but this war was not like the ones before it. Our lives were turned upside down. We became displaced from one place to another. We are the Anas family, residents of northern Gaza, specifically in the Shujaiya area. In the first week of the war, we fled our home because everyone considered our home to be in a dangerous area. We moved to the Rimal area, specifically in the middle of Gaza. There, we received the news that our home, which contained all our beautiful memories, was bombed. Suddenly, it was gone!!! Just thinking that your home, which you worked hard on and built from scratch and took a lot of your life, was gone in less than a second ! After a while, we left the sands to the Al-Zawaida area because of the heavy shelling. We stayed there for about two weeks, and then the terrorist army asked us to go to Rafah. We actually fled for the fourth time to Rafah and stayed there for two months, some of the most difficult days of our lives, as there was no way or means to live a normal life. 😔😔 After that, because of the invasion of Rafah, we moved to Deir al-Balah. Now, we are in very difficult and oppressive circumstances.

We are asking you with all shame to support and stand by us in these difficult circumstances that everyone knows because we lost our home, our work and any stable source of income. Thank you all.

🔗 🔗 Gofundme link for donations 👇👇👇👇🔗 🔗

Please, we are in dire need of you and your support. If you cannot donate, you can share☹️❤️🥹

Even $5 will make a big difference and save us!

Verified by : @nabulsi

[theshipscommander]

Hello ! My supporting friends ,🖤💚💔🤍🍉

Thank you from my heart for what you are doing for the people of Gaza who are in bad need in this tough and dire time. 💔💚🖤🤍

You are examples for kindness, generosity and nobility. You have been standing with for long and showing how brave one should be in time of need. 🍉🍉🍉🍉

You helped me greatly to make progress in my campaign, but I am still in need of your kind support to reach my goal.✌️✌️

As noticed, the campaign is very slow😪😪 now and needs strong move and this can be carried out through your contribution and cooperation. 😯😯

Please don't leave us alone during this dire time. I am still in the first quarter of my campaign. ❣️❣️

https://gofund.me/0dc0aa34

We will not leave you alone! ❤️ You and so many others need our help! Thank you all for contacting me and sending me the links to your campaigns. 🫶🏼

[theshipscommander]

My family is still staying in half of the church that wasn’t affected by the bombing because there is nowhere else to stay other than tents. They are limited to one small meal a day and one shower a week. They are sleeping on the floors, but no one can sleep since there is bombing everywhere around them. Even when there is no bombing, they can still hear the loud buzzing sound of the military planes above them, which would keep anyone who hears it awake. Along with everything, My grandma has diabetes and osteoporosis, so she can’t walk. She has to take her insulin medication along with many others; however, she has run out of many of her medications.” Am on my knees requesting for donation. Target $450

Hello. I will definitely be donating. A couple of others have reached out to me who are in similar situations as yours. Thank you for reaching out to me. I hope my post will encourage others to donate as well. 🫶🏼

[theshipscommander]

hi!  I am desperately in need for help. I need my insulin to bring my blood sugar back down. It’s $300 That’s all I need. I’m not asking for a windfall, just a little help, please.

Be blessed 💓🙏🙏💓

            DONATE AND SHARE.

Hello! I will definitely be donating. I also hope my post will encourage others to donate as well. Thank you for reaching out to me.