[misc.handicap] My presence here

Gabe.Grall@f18.n382.z1.fidonet.org (Gabe Grall) (08/14/90)

Index Number: 9802

[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference on Fidonet]

A REAL life? Like mine is phony ?  Chill out, dude!
I have experienced real pain, and live with a person who has Chronic
Pain, thus my interest in this forum. I specifically said that I
do not intend to defend the Insurance Industry, even though I work
for it. I also requested that readers not dump on me for my post.
 
When I have a case where future medical treatment is truly warranted,
I of course compensate for it. I Only was reacting to the experience I
have had of seeing injured people get a settlement of $10,000 or more
and then see them blow it on material goods. A new car, furniture, etc.
I know because I did it myself with my wife's settlement. We still have
the creature comforts, and we still have the pain, and continuing
medical costs. You think Insurance companies rip people off? I've seen
Chiropracters, MD's, Physical Therapists, etc who could run up $2000 a
month in treatment for Arnold Schwartzenegger ! And declare him disabled
to boot! If an Attorney sends an slightly injured person to one of these
"whores" he will run up the bills to insure that his client gets a large
settlement. I had a case in California where our motorcyclist bumped
into a car. It did not damage either vehicle, in fact the motorcycle was
able to drive his bike away. Less than a 10mph bump. The two passengers
in the car proceeded to collect over $14,000 in assorted chiro, massage
therapy, psychologists, hot tub visits, etc. I asked the Attorney why
bother doing that for a mere $15,000 policy ? His reply was that his
clients had a $100,000 Underinsured Motorist policy that they had their
eyes on! They weren't injured at all. Guess who will eventually pay for
that type of abuse? You and me slick!
An insurance settlement is supposed to make you whole again. Not make
you rich. I was reacting to the way that some people want the money to
remove the pain they had, or will have in the future. I said it before
and I'll say it again. it can't do it.
More to come, I don't intend to go away!
 

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Internet: Gabe.Grall@f18.n382.z1.fidonet.org

Bat.Zion@f102.n103.z1.fidonet.org (Bat Zion) (08/21/90)

Index Number: 9935

[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference on Fidonet]

First off - I am NOT a "dude" - I am female. As to your insurance 
company employment - tough! You knew the job was rough when you took 
it! I do agree with you about the fakers & and rip-offs: it makes 
life so much more difficult for those of us with legitimate 
injuries, claims, and losses. Because of outlandish, faked, or other 
abuses in claims; people that are REALLY hurting have to go through 
so much hell from the insurance companies. When pain is so bad that 
you wish you were killed rather than surviving, you are talking some 
pretty bad pain. That is a sentiment expressed by many on this SIG - 
including myself, at one time or another. As to your bellyaching 
over people "blowing" their settlement money on creature comforts & 
furniture: Is it too much to ask, that I spend money on an 
orthopedically designed chair that allows me to sit comfortably for 
a few hours while other chairs barely give me minutes? I have to 
settle for showers with a shower chair - no baths for me: it is too 
demanding to get in/out  & up/down into a tub. Someday, I would like 
to enjoy that privilege - but for now, all I can do is step into a 
jacuzzi occasionally, not the same as a luxurious bath, but it hs to 
do. Then there is coping with not being able to do some of the 
simplest things that you could do before. When aperson has a radical 
change in their capabilities, there is a grieving process - just 
like accepting a death. Please, try and be sensitive to those that 
are here and hurting - both emotionally & physically - this SIG is 
for them & for me to share our hurts & gain understanding & support 
from each other. None of us need to be called fakers (not that you 
did that) nor should we have to feel uncomfortable on a SIG made for 
us.
        
Shoshona

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