I've set up a GoFundMe to help with my expenses as I go through all of this.

[JMCKUSICK]

Last edited Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:51 PM - Edit history (1)

I've had 4 lumbar back surgeries since October of 2021 with no success so I filed for Social Security disability in August of 23.
My first appointment with them is set for January 7th after 17 months wait. Yes I used an attorney from the start.
I started having chest pains a couple of months ago and today I had a nuclear stress test done with the bad news that the left side of my heart has "moderate to severe blood flow blockage.
Living in rural Illinois means a medical desert so I can't get a heart catheterization til January 27th even though the left side is the bad one.
This will only delay my case further as I can't even schedule a Functional Ability Assessment until my cardiac issues are resolved. (Chest pain from simple walks etc).
My finances were never good to begin with and this is making things so much worse. I'm seriously afraid that the stress of trying to find a way to pay my modest bills will kill me alone.
My monthly expenses run about $1200 a month if I make only the minimum payment on my Credit cards that I used to get by for the first several months. That debt total about $5500.00
I'm trying to survive into the summer as that seems like what would be a reasonable time frame for a decision knowing my first appointment with a SS Dr is January 7th.
I can't begin to describe the despondent feelings that are now overwhelming with this new news and I know I won't survive the agony of trying to get something paid each month when I have no idea where the money will come from.
Does anyone have any suggestions or tips that I can learn just to alleviate the near panic and anxiety that I experience more and more every month?
I get food stamps and have Medicaid but I also live in Illinois, one of the states that have trigger laws for the ACA expansion should the funding for that end.
I will be happy to share my contact information should the need arise to discuss by phone etc.
Several people have negatively commented on my writing so I apologize in advance if this is hard to read.

The GoFundMe link is here:
https://www.gofundme.com/help-john-mckusick-overcome-health-and-financial-struggles


Thank you Dennis for the helpful video.
Thank you XanaDUer2 for your recommending the lounge post.
Thank you Omaha Steve for such a quick response and offer to kick (not sure what that means lol)

I just want to add a heartfelt THANK YOU for the donations thus far (18% of goal!!) and all the kind words that you all have offered that have lifted me up beyond what I could've asked. Thank you Thank you Thank you

[MLAA]

1. Good luck, I kicked in a bit and wish you best.

[JMCKUSICK]

2. Thank you so very much MLAA

I'm moved to tears by the incredible kindness that I witness here every day but only now having been a direct recipient of same.
My spirits are lifted and hope is creeping into my evening.

[debm55]

3. Wish you all the luck in the world. If you don't mind I will put you on my nightly prayer list

[JMCKUSICK]

4. Please do

I believe in miracles. You all are being one as we speak.
Thank you for taking the time and for the love that in some ways is really only visible during times like this.

[JMCKUSICK]

10. Thank you Debm55

I believe in miracles. You all are being one as we speak.
Thank you for taking the time and for the love that in some ways is really only visible during times like this.

[summer_in_TX]

5. I pitched in too.

I'll add you to my prayers as well, John. 🙏 The cost of staying healthy in America is such a burden.

Your member of Congress has constituent services. They may be of some help as you go through this process. Be prepared to have to appeal any initial denial. I was one of those helping a friend get approved for SSI. It took her lawyer, her representative in Congress, lots of documentation, and one appeal.

[JMCKUSICK]

6. Thank you so much Summer

I have the misfortune of being represented by one other than the dishonorable Mary Miller. Probably the quietest kook in congress.
I feel lost here in the Red Sea of Central Illinois. It's so red here, no one bothered to run against her.
Do US Senators do similar constituent work?

[summer_in_TX]

7. If so, I don't know about it.

Sometimes even those bad in many ways use constituent services as a way to convince voters they can and should re-elect them. So it may be worth a try, even if she already knows your name from emails and so forth.

Maybe your attorney has ideas?

[JMCKUSICK]

12. I will try reaching out to her office today

I've asked my attorney and he hasn't really suggested anything else.

[summer_in_TX]

25. Prayers for you as you go through this grueling process!

🙏

[questionseverything]

8. Illinois has a temporary disability program that is much easier to access than the federal program

It’s not as much money (like just over $300./month) but better than nothing

Your county offices or township should be able to help

Good Luck 🍀

[JMCKUSICK]

11. Is there anything else

You can add that I can reference when I call them today? I love in Fayette County.

[questionseverything]

13. It's been a decade since I had to help my brother in law through a similar time as you are going thru

Temporary disability is all I remember but both your county and your township might have different programs

I know my sister in law got half her rent paid for like 3 months through township, honestly you just have to ask these different entities, they don’t advertise

Do you have food banks to access? If you are able to drive and can take other people there, ask for anything they don’t like and start networking with other poor folks, they will have lots of ideas for you

Are you on the list for subsidized housing? No matter what, keep the ability to have electricity in your name… that’s a requirement for subsidized housing

You need to find some simple gig for cash, could you dog walk or roll cigarettes? Rolling cigs takes a little machine ( they are about $40 ) but I have a friend that rolls about 3 or 4 cartoons a week at twenty a cartoon, the customer provides the papers and tobacco but they end up paying like fifty a carton instead of $80. It’s tedious work but if you have a friend that smokes maybe you could try it

[questionseverything]

14. Remember most the country is one emergency away from what you're going through

The best people are poor people!

[JMCKUSICK]

19. I've been one of them pretty much all my life.

[mvd]

9. Best of wishes. You have a good start towards your goal

Also best of luck for good health.

[XanaDUer2]

15. Wonderful!

I'm glad you got it. I'll keep kicking it

[debm55]

16. Great start.

[XanaDUer2]

17. Kick for Petunia the cat!

[JMCKUSICK]

18. That is my Princess Petunia sitting on my shoulder in GoFundMe page

Thank you!

[JMCKUSICK]

20. Kick

Kick

[debm55]

21. kick

[JMCKUSICK]

22. Thank you Debm55

[MustLoveBeagles]

23. K&R

[JMCKUSICK]

24. Thank you Fellow Beagle lover

I owned one many years ago. Adorable dogs.