For the past 2 1/2 years, I've been on food stamps. I have a lot of good things to say about it.

[cali]

and a lot of praise for the Agency of Human Services here in Vermont. First the one bad thing about the latter: I hate automated phone service, but then that's just the way it is in the digital age and hardly relegated solely to government agencies.

I have been treated respectfully and kindly by every employee of the VT AHS that I have had contact with. Every single one. I haven't been condescended to or treated brusquely by anyone.

My circumstances were unusual but no one tried to pry from me any information about that. I got information and help when I needed it. And several times I got really helpful information that I didn't solicit.

My circumstances have changed and though I'm still likely eligible, I feel like I'd be taking advantage and that there are people who need the program more than I do. so yesterday I called the financial services dept and told them not to continue with my 6 month review. The person I spoke with was as nice as could be and assured me I could always reapply.

I am also on Medicaid and my comments above fit with my experience with the VT Medicaid program as well. I'm disabled due to an accident I had 2 1/2 years ago and I can't imagine where I'd be without it. I've had 3 surgeries. I was on crutches for 14 months and in a wheelchair for 6 weeks before I moved to crutches. I had terrific doctors and PT folks.

I'm grateful to these programs and grateful to you all who made it possible, through your taxes, for me to enroll in them.

And that's about it.

Thanks.

[hollysmom]

1. sorry you were injured and had to go through so much

glad you had food stamps to help you through this difficult time. Vermont seem to be good state in so many ways.
In some states they help only up to a certain number of people, and the latter applications are denied. First come first serve.

[cali]

2. thanks for the kind words.

Yes, people in state government here (as well as in general) are good folks.

[brer cat]

3. Thank you for posting this, cali.

I am sorry you had an accident that left you disabled, but you had the safety net we all want available. My daughter and her children were on food stamps and Medicaid for a couple of years when she was in college and her experience was similar to yours. She, like you, was very grateful.

This is what makes us so different from republicans. We will continue to fight to keep a net under anyone who needs it.

[cali]

5. It's worth fighting for all the way down the line.

and it's worth fighting to make even better.

thanks.

[Squinch]

4. It seems like things may be getting somewhat better for you, and I am happy to hear that.

And I am glad there were programs in place that were able to help you through a time when you needed a safety net backstop.

The more I hear about Vermont, the better it sounds to me.

[cali]

7. they are- thanks.

and on Tuesday my orthopaedist gave me a shot of cortisone in the ankle. Holy moly what a relief. I had no idea. It seems to have helped not only the traumatic arthritis but the pain from soft tissue damage and the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome stuff.

I think I love steroids now.

[ananda]

8. I had CRPS for awhile but now it's over.

I can truly imagine the difficulty of that for you. It's horrendous
and crippling. My pain specialist called it CRAPS.

You have my heartfelt best wishes.

[cali]

9. I'm so glad for you that it's over! (and a little jealous)

Maybe that will happen for me. In the meantime, I've taken matters into my own hands. I exercise as much as possible and I meditate to clear out the cobwebs and negative crap. I distract myself from the pain as much as possible with lots of projects. I tried spinal blocks and this drug and that and they just didn't have enough benefits v side effects. Now, I make do with endorphins, a low dosage of percoset- mostly at bedtime and this wonderful cortisone shot. I can tell the CRPS pain from the pain from soft tissue damage, the titanium rod and plate and traumatic arthritis. It really is the most sucky.

[Squinch]

11. Be careful, though.

You don't want to have more than two or three injections to a site. After that it causes damage to the muscle/tendon. Also you want to be very careful that you don't now overuse the joint because it feels so much better.

[cali]

18. thanks. It is hard not to overdo. It's spring. I want to build some raised beds

I've been planting and now I really am raring to go. There's this big temptation to do as much as possible while I can.

[Squinch]

21. That's common after getting the shots, but it's often results in a slowing of healing, or an

increase in damage to the injured tissue.

Resist it!

[cali]

22. ack. I'll try. At least it's raining today so I can't go out and play too much.

[Squinch]

24. Be well!

[handmade34]

6. ...

[riderinthestorm]

10. So So very sorry about the accident but thrilled to hear of your "success" story

Its important for folks to know how easy it is to get help. Your story is a great reminder! Hope your docs can get the pain under control.

Cortisone shots are the best!

[Jackpine Radical]

12. I had noticed the dropoff in your posting rate.

I missed you. Take care of yourself, lady.

[cali]

23. thank you Jackpine

[A HERETIC I AM]

13. And just remember.....

That it is more important for the Republicans to make sure the CEO's of the largest defense contractors can collect multi million dollar annual salaries, ALL OF IT FROM TAX DOLLARS, than it is to expand the program you needed.

Brought to you by the National department of redundancy department.

[jwirr]

14. Those are about what I would say about the social services I have used over the years. They work.

I am glad you are feeling better.

[pampango]

15. Nice post. Good luck, cali. n/t

[bhikkhu]

16. With a government of the people, by the people, for the people,

its nice to know that the people get together and decide that those who don't have the income (for whatever reason) to buy enough food for themselves still deserve to eat.

My family got WIC benefits when my wife had our second daughter and I was temporarily out of a job; it was a lifesaver, and it was really nice to feel like we had enough value to society that there were benefits available to help us out. It was also nice to not need the benefits for very long and to start paying back into the system and help other people. Same thing earlier this year - we qualified for fully subsidized healthcare, which was great help. Now I have a better job and don't qualify anymore, but we'll pay more taxes and help other people that way.

So much of the negativity about taxes and government really misses the whole point, and feeds a certain meanness that I don't think a lot of people realize.

[Le Taz Hot]

17. And that's the way it's SUPPOSED to work.

To help people when they need it and do it in a manner that doesn't reduce their dignity, which it shouldn't. Glad you're feeling better, cali.

[cali]

19. thanks, Le Taz- and you are right. that is how it's supposed to work.

[WhiteTara]

20. Good luck with your continued healing!

Thanks for the story. There is no other. What one person feels, so do millions of others, even at the same time.

[lumberjack_jeff]

25. My family was on food stamps briefly a few years ago.

I too am grateful to the DSHS for the help and in particular the people in the agency. In terms of customer service, they're some of the best I've ever experienced... which I found very surprising.

Thankfully times are now better, and human nature being what it is, I had to remind myself of that experience in April when I wrote a check for $3000 to the IRS and another $3000 to the county treasurer (property taxes).

You have to do what feels right to you, but my feeling is that social policy is designed to help society. A government study a few years ago determined that the best way to stimulate the economy was to expand programs like unemployment and food stamps. It may be noble to reject that help, but if done on a large scale, may actually harm the grocers, growers, truckers and the economy to which they contribute.

[grasswire]

26. Cali, you contributed to those programs for others, as well.

We all do. (Except those who find enough tax loopholes to duck their share). So thank you, too, for being part of the great social contract. When you contribute, you are helping hungry children and elders, so thanks!

[democrank]

27. Glad you`re better, Cali.

I`m glad you got whatever help you did. Bless Vermont and its wonderful, caring people.

[UTUSN]

28. Best thanks/wishes for your appreciation. & thanks, LBJ 1964!1 n/t

[awoke_in_2003]

29. You paid your taxes, too...

glad you are better, and that the safety net worked for you. We really need to strengthen it.

[catrose]

30. ^^This^^

This is what I tell everyone who doesn't want to apply--and I've never met anyone who did. I'm thrilled to have my tax dollars put food on someone's table.

[cali]

31. I did. You're right. thanks for the reminder.

I'm grateful it was there when I needed it.

[awoke_in_2003]

32. I know how you feel...

growing up, my family was on food stamps for a bit. Back then, they were actually stamps.

[tclambert]

33. As a TAXPAYER whose TAXES paid for YOUR food stamps, let me just say

happy to help. Wish I had done more.

(The capital letters had you fooled for a moment, didn't they?)

In all seriousness, what's more important than helping other people?

[magical thyme]

34. so good to know that help was there when you needed it...

and that you are doing better!

[ancianita]

35. I always, always feel proud when my taxes go to help fellow Americans. For however long they want

them. Thanks for your story. I appreciate the courage it takes for you to tell it, and will always feel happy to see you here.

[cali]

36. Oh that's so very nice of you to say

cut it out! You're going to make me cry.

[El Shaman]

37. Good thing

you are up North. I have some friends , in Texas, that should be on food stamps, but because of the butt hole attitude treatment, of the applicants here in Asshole USa they will not go near a Tx HR office. A lot of them served 2 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan- lost income- due to Nat'l guard service. Where was Bush!!? Can we cuss here?
Cliven Bunghole thinks he has problems!!Ha, f ing, ha!!!

[Samantha]

38. I am so happy those programs were there for you when you needed them

And I also hope we can hang onto them for those who will need them in the future.

Sam

[freshwest]

39. I was always glad to pay my taxes for the millions who I will never meet. n/t

[MADem]

40. I have a relative in a similar situation not due to accident but to a stroke.

Massive stroke, tons of hospitalization/rehab; truly lucky to be alive. Never missed a day of work when able to work; now well and truly disabled just a few years ahead of retirement eligibility. The programs here in MA have been a lifesaver and the medical support has been second to none.

[Cleita]

41. I hope that you will be fine in the future as you seem to feel you are now.

But as far as accepting food stamps. You are deserving and I'd rather you and others in your circumstances receive all the assistance and benefits you can get instead of the banks getting bail outs and oil companies and the like getting subsidies. If those who are truly needy don't insist on it, the corporate whores will move in and take what they can.

[Ken Burch]

42. We've been at odds on some things, but I'm sorry to hear of the suffering you've had

I'm also glad to hear that you've had some better experiences than some other people...such as my late wife(she died in 2004, so I'm doing ok now and have been for a long time)who also ended up on disability and was ruled to be eligible for...get this...$10 dollars a month in food stamps. That was before we were married(we lived in Alaska, as I still do).

She also had the experience of a social service "professional" telling us, one afternoon, with a smug look on his face, a cowboy hat on his head his feet propped up on his desk, that "we don't have socialized medicine in this state" when she asked why she was being denied some health benefits.

I hope you are able to recover from your injuries as much as possible. You are a positive and principled person, and I think the fire of your convictions probably helps sustain you in the struggle your life has been at times. Be well.

Good luck to you...and Vermont is a great place, a state with a heart and a soul(unlike my state some days).

[emsimon33]

43. And this is why I have always been proud to pay my taxes

when the money goes for the common good and not to kill and maim people in uncalled for wars.

[Skittles]

44. thank you

I wish more people would speak up; everyone one this earth will need a helping hand some time - every one of us

[Fearless]

45. I had worked in VT a short while ago

And I hope that my taxes did go to you or to someone like you, who is so deserving of some dignity and respect through the difficulties that life can sometimes throw at us. I'm certainly not made of money, but if that little I paid in taxes helped ease the burden of even one person, I'm content with that.

[cali]

46. How nice of you to say!

and I'm sure your tax dollars help someone who needs it.