Skip Grumblis Needs our help OHIO

This past week I have witnessed, what is clearly, a crime against humanity. This crime is being perpetuated by the United States Government bureaucracy. The Social Security Administration denied the disability benefits this man truly needs and deserves. This man has served this country in the military service as a medic. But due to a side effect of high blood pressure, he lost vision completely in one eye. He also now has what was referred as ‘tunnel vision’ in the eye he has vision in. That narrow portion of his vision is good, but not as good as mine.
I have been ‘blind ‘my entire life. I have vision, but it has never been good enough to get a driver’s license. Being diagnosed at a young age, I received help from the Public schools I attended. All the children were helped to go as far as they could go, achieve. I was what was considered a “High Partial”. The next group were referred to as “Low Partials”. LP’s basically could tell ‘light from dark’ or better. The third group were the “Totals”. Since that time in my life I have been in rehabilitation programs with other blind individuals. Through all this exposure, all of us can usually tell what level of sight another blind person has.
When I entered the Voc Rehab programs, there was usually some form of counseling for us. There was the usual mobility training, occupational therapy, job training. It was during these times I started to meet people who lost there vision later in life. They were able to enjoy life in a sighted world, and then lost it. Almost every one of them expressed a level I can only describe as depressed . compound that with the burden of having to provide for one’s self and family. You develop a feeling of no value to anyone, anything in your present life. The independence is gone. Hopefully you can summon the courage to get up and face another day. Another day of not doing what it is you’ve done for all your life.
Sometimes, you even wonder if life is worth living. This man I met has expressed these thoughts. Most folks in his situation do. I know at times I have.
All I’m looking for, asking for is someone to reach out and help this man get what he properly deserves. He shouldn’t have to give up 1/3 of his back pay to some lawyer. There must be someone to advocate for him, pro bono. There must be someone who knows the ins and outs of the SSA, and or the VA who can help iron out this mess. Or at least point us in the right direction.
His is well beyond the usual two years wait for disability. His bills are piling up. Fortunately, the man I met isn’t homeless. He does however live with his 85-year-old mother. When I left him, his hope was to figure out some way to survive until his regular Social Security would become eligible.
This man lives and worked in the Lima / Allen County Ohio area. He was active member of the art community. As a sound engineer, he worked with almost every musician in that area for many years. Then, a short time back he disappeared from the scene. His loss of vision has ended his ability to do the job he loved.
Please, fi you can help this man in any way. Find him a legal advocate, make a call to the area government agencies, put this group in contact with those who can get this man what he deserves.
 

Any funds raised here will go to Skip to cover his personal expenses. Transportation, medication, sundries and other things he is having a hard time paying for him self.

And if enough money is raised, he would like to find an independent living arrangement.

As is stated in the beginning, I just met this man and was at a loss for answers. It wasn’t that way for me. It certainly should not be this hard for him.

 

I’m Jeff Matthews, I live in Matthews NC

He is Skip Grumblis, He lives in Lima Ohio.