Miriam,
I have no helpful words.
But speaking of the vaccine, Cathy still has not been notified. She
has submitted a request with our Jefferson County Medical, and was
assured she would be contacted with a date for the first shot. That
was over ten days ago. She let them know that she is 69, and a cancer
survivor, having undergone major radiation treatment, and that she is
the sole supporter and provider for an 85 year old totally blind
husband.
We have heard nothing. Not because people don't care, but because we
had an administration that only saw his own personal needs.
But the point is, we are only a bit more safe. If Cathy were to
contact the virus, we could not survive in this remote home, even
though it would be the best place to be.
In all our preparation for our old age, we did not even think of a
possible pandemic. What other exciting events await us?
Carl Jarvis
On 2/11/21, Miriam Vieni <miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I'm jealous. No one is offering vaccinations to me. When I asked the doctor
who visits me at home, she said she hadn't received her allotment of vaccine
yet. And then she began telling me about how I have natural immunity and
probably wouldn't contract the disease. That says something about the
quality of physicians these days, or the quality of care provided to
homebound people. The only reason I continue to use her is that she writes
up new prescriptions when I need them and I don't have to go through the
very difficult process of being transported to a doctor's office in order to
be elligible to receive this valuable service of getting new prescriptions
written.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2021 12:06 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: IL services through NY commission for the
blind
It's another example of the deception of lies that our government uses to
cover the fact that we are serving Profit, not People.
Carl Jarvis, heading off to receive my second vaccine.
On 2/10/21, Miriam Vieni <miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
The fact is, that it's all a pretense. That's true of services for all
disadvantaged groups in our society. Services exist on paper, in the
law, but they don't really exist. At one point, Debbie called up
Services for the Aged in our county or town because she felt that at
some point in the near future, I'd need them. She put me on a waiting
list and gave them my name and number. A woman called to tell me
about what services would be available when it was my turn on the
waiting list. I asked questions about the home health care and
discovered that all the service is, is a referral to these same
disgusting incompetent home health agencies which I'd have to pay for
unless I didn't have enough money in which case, I'd get community
Medicaid. We've had a few snowstorms here recently. I receive
automated phone calls about the closing of town services. One of the
services that shuts down during a snow storm is home delivered meals for
the elderly.
Another is meals for the elderly, available for pickup. So if an old
person lives alone and is unable to prepare his or her own meals and
there's a snowstorm, then, I guess, he or she is out of luck. If that
person depends on a home health aide, there's also a problem because
the aide won't be able to get to the person's home in a snow storm.
That's why people end up in nursing homes, most of which are poorly
run and don't take adequate care of their patients here in New York
State. They are for profit institutions with a strong lobby so they are
poorly regulated.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2021 10:26 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: IL services through NY commission for
the blind
Frank,
Serving the older blind and non vocational blind has never been pushed
by state agencies. When I was working at the Department, we operated
on 80% Federal Money. The only funding for ILOB was grant money, and
not much of that.
At the time, I was young and interested in improving services to Voc
Rehab clients. When some funding did come along, it usually did not
cover FTE's, so agencies let out contracts to local private agencies.
There was little oversight. In my opinion, given the current COVID
Pandemic and the slukmping economy, we need to mount an offensive in
order to protect the little that we now have.
The five large counties that Cathy and I served are now being served
by 1 rehab teacher. He has a total of 8 counties. If his contract is
similar to the one we had, he cannot turn down any request for
survices without a complete assessment and a written justification
detailing the reason for withholding services. He has no travel
funding, no liability insurance, although he must carry it, no
retirement or sick leave or vacation coverage, There's much more, but you
get the picture.
We did manage to create some support in our service area. We set up
groups, several of which joined with the ACB or the NFB, and helped
bring pressure on the Department. Special interest groups do have the
ability to do local fund raising, and do outreach. But I am sure that
one rehab teacher serving
8 counties is not going to have the luxury of the time it takes to
establish such groups.
Carl Jarvis
On 2/9/21, sFrank Ventura <frank.ventura@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Carl, although NY does have IL and OIB services, sadly they areFrank,
sub-contracted so oversight is minimal.
Frank
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Monday, February 8, 2021 9:59 AM
To: blind-democracy <blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [blind-democracy] IL services through NY commission for the
blind
Miriam, have you checked out the IL services through the NY
Commission for the Blind?
Look closely at the Independent Living section. This service is
intended to assist people to live independently, and can provide
quite a range of services...if pushed.
Carl
New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB)
(Program)
Administers programs and services to enhance employability, maximize
independence, and assist in the development of the capacities and
strengths of people who are legally blind. Programs include:
Equipment Loan Fund, which allows individuals to borrow up to $4,000
to purchase adaptive equipment.
Children's services for children who are legally blind, including
early intervention rehabilitation, working with and empowering
parents, arranging services to supplement educational activities, and
ensuring a smooth transition to adult services.
Vocational rehabilitation programs for adults and youth ages 14
through 21 years, which provide a number of services, including
assessment, information and referral, casework services, job
coaching, orientation and mobility training, independent living
skills training, and assistive technology assistance.
Independent living services for individuals who are not eligible for
vocational rehabilitation services and who are not receiving services
through another NYSCB Program. These services are provided based on
individual need and may include orientation and mobility services,
rehabilitation teaching, low vision services and devices, social
casework, and adaptive equipment.
Eligibility: No restrictions
Application Process: Call or go online for information and services
Required Documentation: Varies; call for required documentation
Fees: None
Serving the older blind and non vocational blind has never been pushed
by state agencies. When I was working at the Department, we operated
on 80% Federal Money. The only funding for ILOB was grant money, and
not much of that.
At the time, I was young and interested in improving services to Voc
Rehab clients. When some funding did come along, it usually did not
cover FTE's, so agencies let out contracts to local private agencies.
There was little oversight. In my opinion, given the current COVID
Pandemic and the slukmping economy, we need to mount an offensive in
order to protect the little that we now have.
Carl Jarvis