Legs - ABUNDANCE - needed!! #grateful
Donación protegida
HALFWAY THERE!! Thank you so much to all who have donated thus far!!
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This is my first time asking my community for support. I am asking for your contribution for my legs and teeth, health costs I will need to incur in the upcoming future for my legs and my teeth, of which insurance does not cover.
The primary costs are for my legs. I was born in 1975 missing both of my legs below the knee. I had 2 amputations in order to form my walkable legs/stumps at 7 and 11 months of age. I walked on prosthetic legs in January, 1977 - at 13 months old.
Getting legs (especially growing fast as a child) was never fun - and it was always a part of my life. I was fortunate to have a family that told me I could be anyone I choose to be and my legs would not hold me back. I was blessed to have access to prosthetics, insurance which covered, and laws that supported my education, access, and mobility. I always knew I was fortunate; and during college and masters studies in international development and human rights, I shifted from originally focusing on environmental policy, conservation and development to dedicating my life to working on behalf of the human and civil rights of persons with disabilities. I worked for 15 years doing international disability rights work; and 5 in DC doing domestic civil rights advocacy. Among other things, I am currently a consultant in this area. You can see my background, skills and offerings at RhondaNeuhaus.com.
Four years ago in 2015, I took a leap in my life. I left a wonderful, secure job that I loved to rebalance my life with the various aspects that fill my heart, spirit and mind. I have spent the last 4 years actively working to build my Spiral Healing by Raven practice. Serving as intuitive, healer, visionary and more is also why I am on this earth. I am awed and humbled daily by my clients and the work being done! (see SpiralHealingByRaven.com). I’m also a freelance mediator and give workshops in the area of conflict resolution- and offer workshops and trainings on all areas above.
Building multiple businesses as an entrepreneur takes time; it’s been a wild roller coaster of an experience.
In doing so, I enrolled in an Affordable Care Act/Obamacare's plan via the Maryland Exchange. I am grateful for this coverage that allows me to have any insurance at all while living an entrepreneurial, freelance life. At any other point in time, this attempt would have been impossible, as my legs are a pre-existing condition; I always like to laugh and say...."actually, they pre-dated me!"
In adulthood, I have always gotten a new set of legs every 4-5 years. My current pair, I got in 2013/4, 5-6 years ago as of right now.
In December, 2018, I had an enormous scare with my legs. I found out that the liners I use for my current legs had been discontinued. My service provider did not advise me of this and I was shocked by this fact when I went to routinely order them prior to my returning to Costa Rica, where I live part of each year. Having only old liners with a few weeks, (maybe) on their life, I panicked and went into a national and global search for liners that would be able to at least function, if not perfect.
Over many weeks, I stressed as I contacted listservs, organizations, FB groups and prosthitists nationwide and globally. I had to fight my providers every step of the way to order and try liners that were recommended to me and truly didn't know if I'd be able to walk without having to make a new set of legs immediately; this would have required a massive change of plans and an expenditure of money I didn't have. I was very grateful that after so much fighting, stressing and panicking, that the final liner we tried (and that I had to have multiple fights over to even try) were close enough to let me walk, though they were and are both 1) too tight to be a good fit for the long term and 2) they aren't of as good quality and are wearing down faster than liners in the past. I will need more soon.
As an aside, I did find 1 proverbial "needle in the haystack" of my old discontinued liners in my search -- but to really use it, I would need a 2nd for the pair. I was amazed and grateful to find the last existing one! I had so much love, good energy, prayers and thoughts -- as well as people making calls and searching for me -- back in December 2018/January 2019.
My situation now currently stands that I will have substantial costs for my legs over the next few years. Whenever I can raise the money, I need a new set of legs, as I am already well over the time I usually get new ones. This is extremely challenging for me at this moment with debt and still trying to financially re-balance my life, building my businesses. I am finding myself for the 1st time in my 43 years where I do not have what I need to both keep maintaining these legs until I have the funds - nor have the cash needed to make new legs.
Cost of legs: whether made in the US or Costa Rica - will be an immediate $10,000 out of pocket. In the US, my deductible is $1500 and my out-of-pocket-max for Durable Medical Equipment is $8500. In these cases, the legs are billed to insurance at $60k-70k. If I were to make legs in Costa Rica, the larger cost is way less -- $10,000 total. Either way, though to me, the cost is the same.
Other costs: until I raise the funds, I will incur other maintenance and liners. And, even with new legs, I end up spending about $1500-2000/year just in liners.
Dental: Also upcoming are some major dental expenses, expected to cost about $3000. Anything extra collected past the legs will go towards this. I have never done a Go Fund Me, nor do I like doing it now; that said, this feels like a critical juncture for things that, quite literally, keep me going. If you feel called to contribute once or more, to share this with others, or just to send some good ABUNDANCE thoughts, prayers and LOVE my way.....I am GRATEFUL! Love and thanks to all still reading to this end!
**********
Este es mi primer tiempo preguntando a mi comunidad para apoyo. Estoy preguntando por su contribución para mis piernas y dientes, costos que necesito en el futuro cercano para mis prótesis y dentales, que no está cubierto por seguro.
Los primeros costos son para mis piernas. Nací en 1975 sin mis piernas abajo de mis rodillas. Tenía dos amputaciones para poder caminar en 7 y once meses. Camine en prótesis a las 13 meses en enero de 1977.
Haciendo piernas nunca seria divertido pero es parte de mi vida. Tenía gracias para tener una familia que me dicho que puedo estará cualquier cosa que querría y mis piernas no me para. Tenía gracias de tener acceso de prótesis, seguro para tenerlos y leyes que apoye para tener educación, acceso y movilidad. Siempre sabía que tenía gracias y durante mis estudios, dedici mi vida de trabajar para los derechos humanos y civiles de personas con discapacidades.
Trabaje por 15 años internacionalmente y 5 en DC haciendo derechos civiles de personas con discapacidades. Ahora, soy consultora en estas temas. Puedes ver en RhondaNeuhaus.com.
Hace cuatro años en 2015, salte a algo nuevo en mi vida. Salí un trabajo bueno y seguro que me amaba para hacer balance en mi vida de los varios aspectos de mi vida. En estos años, me has crecido mi consultoría de curandera Spiral Healing by Raven. Como intuitiva, visionario y curandera esta también porque estoy en este mundo. Estoy muy humilde cada día de mis clientes y el trabajo que lo pasas. (vea SpiralHealingByRaven.com). Creciendo dos negocios toma tiempo y he sido un ride grandísima.
En este, tengo seguro por Obamacare. Tengo gracias por este porque mis piernas en cualquier otro época sería un bloqueo de tener seguro independientemente en los estados.
En mi vida de adulta, has hecho nuevas piernas cada 4-5 años. Los que tengo ahora recibí en 2013/4, hace 5-6 años ahora. En diciembre 2018, algo paso que me hizo miedo. Encontré que algunos partes para mis piernas fue discontinuados. Nadie me contó y por unos semanas no sabía si pudiera caminar más en estos piernas o ir a Costa Rica, como fue planeado. Busque in solución.
Dentro de muchas semanas, busque en todos maneras los partes. Tenía que pelear con mis providers en cada paso y de verdad no sabía si iba a tener que hacer nuevas piernas ya, de que no tenía el dinero requisito. En fin, encontré partes que aún no son perfectos, me permite caminar. Pero, la calidad no es tan bueno y voy a necesitar más si voy a seguir caminando en estos piernas. Estoy bien agradecido de todos que me ayudan con este situación en Diciembre 2018 y enero 2019.
Ahora, mi situación es así: voy a tener muchos costos de mis piernas en los años que viene. Cuando recibo y ahorro la plata, necesito nuevas piernas. Y estoy después del tiempo que es necesario. Este sería bien difícil para mi con mi situación financiará ahorita. Este es la primera vez en mis 43 años que no tengo lo que necesito para mantener mis piernas y obtener nuevas.
Costo de piernas en los dos US y Costa Rica es $10,000. Mas, hay costos extra para partes para mantener este pareja de piernas y después por los nuevos (que es como $1500-2000 cada año. También, tengo cosas dentales que voy a tener que hacer por cómo $3000 en el tiempo cercano.
Nunca me has preguntado por ayuda y no me gusta hacerlo ahora. Pero, es un tiempo critical ahora, para literalmente seguir adelante. Si tienes el impulso para contribuir una vez, más, para compartir con otros - o mandar buenas vibras, energía, rezas y pensamientos de ABUNDANCIA - y AMOR- estoy muy AGRADECIDO!! Gracias y mucho amor si has leído hasta este final!

(Español está más abajo!)
This is my first time asking my community for support. I am asking for your contribution for my legs and teeth, health costs I will need to incur in the upcoming future for my legs and my teeth, of which insurance does not cover.
The primary costs are for my legs. I was born in 1975 missing both of my legs below the knee. I had 2 amputations in order to form my walkable legs/stumps at 7 and 11 months of age. I walked on prosthetic legs in January, 1977 - at 13 months old.
Getting legs (especially growing fast as a child) was never fun - and it was always a part of my life. I was fortunate to have a family that told me I could be anyone I choose to be and my legs would not hold me back. I was blessed to have access to prosthetics, insurance which covered, and laws that supported my education, access, and mobility. I always knew I was fortunate; and during college and masters studies in international development and human rights, I shifted from originally focusing on environmental policy, conservation and development to dedicating my life to working on behalf of the human and civil rights of persons with disabilities. I worked for 15 years doing international disability rights work; and 5 in DC doing domestic civil rights advocacy. Among other things, I am currently a consultant in this area. You can see my background, skills and offerings at RhondaNeuhaus.com.
Four years ago in 2015, I took a leap in my life. I left a wonderful, secure job that I loved to rebalance my life with the various aspects that fill my heart, spirit and mind. I have spent the last 4 years actively working to build my Spiral Healing by Raven practice. Serving as intuitive, healer, visionary and more is also why I am on this earth. I am awed and humbled daily by my clients and the work being done! (see SpiralHealingByRaven.com). I’m also a freelance mediator and give workshops in the area of conflict resolution- and offer workshops and trainings on all areas above.
Building multiple businesses as an entrepreneur takes time; it’s been a wild roller coaster of an experience.
In doing so, I enrolled in an Affordable Care Act/Obamacare's plan via the Maryland Exchange. I am grateful for this coverage that allows me to have any insurance at all while living an entrepreneurial, freelance life. At any other point in time, this attempt would have been impossible, as my legs are a pre-existing condition; I always like to laugh and say...."actually, they pre-dated me!"
In adulthood, I have always gotten a new set of legs every 4-5 years. My current pair, I got in 2013/4, 5-6 years ago as of right now.
In December, 2018, I had an enormous scare with my legs. I found out that the liners I use for my current legs had been discontinued. My service provider did not advise me of this and I was shocked by this fact when I went to routinely order them prior to my returning to Costa Rica, where I live part of each year. Having only old liners with a few weeks, (maybe) on their life, I panicked and went into a national and global search for liners that would be able to at least function, if not perfect.
Over many weeks, I stressed as I contacted listservs, organizations, FB groups and prosthitists nationwide and globally. I had to fight my providers every step of the way to order and try liners that were recommended to me and truly didn't know if I'd be able to walk without having to make a new set of legs immediately; this would have required a massive change of plans and an expenditure of money I didn't have. I was very grateful that after so much fighting, stressing and panicking, that the final liner we tried (and that I had to have multiple fights over to even try) were close enough to let me walk, though they were and are both 1) too tight to be a good fit for the long term and 2) they aren't of as good quality and are wearing down faster than liners in the past. I will need more soon.
As an aside, I did find 1 proverbial "needle in the haystack" of my old discontinued liners in my search -- but to really use it, I would need a 2nd for the pair. I was amazed and grateful to find the last existing one! I had so much love, good energy, prayers and thoughts -- as well as people making calls and searching for me -- back in December 2018/January 2019.
My situation now currently stands that I will have substantial costs for my legs over the next few years. Whenever I can raise the money, I need a new set of legs, as I am already well over the time I usually get new ones. This is extremely challenging for me at this moment with debt and still trying to financially re-balance my life, building my businesses. I am finding myself for the 1st time in my 43 years where I do not have what I need to both keep maintaining these legs until I have the funds - nor have the cash needed to make new legs.
Cost of legs: whether made in the US or Costa Rica - will be an immediate $10,000 out of pocket. In the US, my deductible is $1500 and my out-of-pocket-max for Durable Medical Equipment is $8500. In these cases, the legs are billed to insurance at $60k-70k. If I were to make legs in Costa Rica, the larger cost is way less -- $10,000 total. Either way, though to me, the cost is the same.
Other costs: until I raise the funds, I will incur other maintenance and liners. And, even with new legs, I end up spending about $1500-2000/year just in liners.
Dental: Also upcoming are some major dental expenses, expected to cost about $3000. Anything extra collected past the legs will go towards this. I have never done a Go Fund Me, nor do I like doing it now; that said, this feels like a critical juncture for things that, quite literally, keep me going. If you feel called to contribute once or more, to share this with others, or just to send some good ABUNDANCE thoughts, prayers and LOVE my way.....I am GRATEFUL! Love and thanks to all still reading to this end!
**********
Este es mi primer tiempo preguntando a mi comunidad para apoyo. Estoy preguntando por su contribución para mis piernas y dientes, costos que necesito en el futuro cercano para mis prótesis y dentales, que no está cubierto por seguro.
Los primeros costos son para mis piernas. Nací en 1975 sin mis piernas abajo de mis rodillas. Tenía dos amputaciones para poder caminar en 7 y once meses. Camine en prótesis a las 13 meses en enero de 1977.
Haciendo piernas nunca seria divertido pero es parte de mi vida. Tenía gracias para tener una familia que me dicho que puedo estará cualquier cosa que querría y mis piernas no me para. Tenía gracias de tener acceso de prótesis, seguro para tenerlos y leyes que apoye para tener educación, acceso y movilidad. Siempre sabía que tenía gracias y durante mis estudios, dedici mi vida de trabajar para los derechos humanos y civiles de personas con discapacidades.
Trabaje por 15 años internacionalmente y 5 en DC haciendo derechos civiles de personas con discapacidades. Ahora, soy consultora en estas temas. Puedes ver en RhondaNeuhaus.com.
Hace cuatro años en 2015, salte a algo nuevo en mi vida. Salí un trabajo bueno y seguro que me amaba para hacer balance en mi vida de los varios aspectos de mi vida. En estos años, me has crecido mi consultoría de curandera Spiral Healing by Raven. Como intuitiva, visionario y curandera esta también porque estoy en este mundo. Estoy muy humilde cada día de mis clientes y el trabajo que lo pasas. (vea SpiralHealingByRaven.com). Creciendo dos negocios toma tiempo y he sido un ride grandísima.
En este, tengo seguro por Obamacare. Tengo gracias por este porque mis piernas en cualquier otro época sería un bloqueo de tener seguro independientemente en los estados.
En mi vida de adulta, has hecho nuevas piernas cada 4-5 años. Los que tengo ahora recibí en 2013/4, hace 5-6 años ahora. En diciembre 2018, algo paso que me hizo miedo. Encontré que algunos partes para mis piernas fue discontinuados. Nadie me contó y por unos semanas no sabía si pudiera caminar más en estos piernas o ir a Costa Rica, como fue planeado. Busque in solución.
Dentro de muchas semanas, busque en todos maneras los partes. Tenía que pelear con mis providers en cada paso y de verdad no sabía si iba a tener que hacer nuevas piernas ya, de que no tenía el dinero requisito. En fin, encontré partes que aún no son perfectos, me permite caminar. Pero, la calidad no es tan bueno y voy a necesitar más si voy a seguir caminando en estos piernas. Estoy bien agradecido de todos que me ayudan con este situación en Diciembre 2018 y enero 2019.
Ahora, mi situación es así: voy a tener muchos costos de mis piernas en los años que viene. Cuando recibo y ahorro la plata, necesito nuevas piernas. Y estoy después del tiempo que es necesario. Este sería bien difícil para mi con mi situación financiará ahorita. Este es la primera vez en mis 43 años que no tengo lo que necesito para mantener mis piernas y obtener nuevas.
Costo de piernas en los dos US y Costa Rica es $10,000. Mas, hay costos extra para partes para mantener este pareja de piernas y después por los nuevos (que es como $1500-2000 cada año. También, tengo cosas dentales que voy a tener que hacer por cómo $3000 en el tiempo cercano.
Nunca me has preguntado por ayuda y no me gusta hacerlo ahora. Pero, es un tiempo critical ahora, para literalmente seguir adelante. Si tienes el impulso para contribuir una vez, más, para compartir con otros - o mandar buenas vibras, energía, rezas y pensamientos de ABUNDANCIA - y AMOR- estoy muy AGRADECIDO!! Gracias y mucho amor si has leído hasta este final!
Organizador
Rhonda Raven Neuhaus
Organizador
Greenbelt, MD