A Dizzy College Kid

NARF (native american rights fund)

AISES (advancing indigenous people in stem)

NIWRC (national indigenous women’s resource center)

PWNA (partnership with native americans)

COPE (community outreach and patient empowerment)

the association on american indian affairs

first nations development institute

american indian college fund

CARE (diné citizens against ruining our environment)

hopa mountain

indigenous values initiative

native american disability law center

people’s partner for community development 

If you have an emergency and have to go to the hospital, you’ll owe the hospital a lot of money. (I got into a car wreck and broke my ankle and my arm. My hospital bill was around $20,000)

You’ll also owe the ambulance provider, if you need one. (My ambulance bill was about $800)

You may get separate bills from the anesthesiologist or surgeon. (My anesthesiologist bill was $1,700)

You may need follow-up appointments. (My orthopedic surgeon billed me for the appointments and his surgery together and it was about $1,000)

You’ve also got to pay for medical equipment you need afterward, like crutches or a walking boot. (Mine cost about $75)

Altogether, I ended up with almost $24,000 in medical debt from one car accident. That’s a really scary number for someone like me who makes $10/hr at a 12 hour a week job.

I got my debt down to $1075 by making some phone calls and submitting some paperwork.

The first thing I did was contact the hospital. They don’t make it easy to find, but many hospitals (perhaps most hospitals?) have financial assistance programs for people who can’t afford medical bills. I don’t make a lot of money, and I have bills to pay, so they were able to help me. I called the billing department and asked if they had any assistance programs for low income people who can’t pay their bills. I had to call multiple times, and I got transferred in circles by people who didn’t know what I was talking about. Finally, I got an appointment with someone in “Eligibility Services” (I don’t know what other hospitals call it, if it’s something different). I had to bring my pay stubs and copies of all of my bills. When I got to the hospital for the appointment, nobody knew what I was talking about so I had to wander a little to find where I needed to go. I spoke with the guy in Eligibility Services, and I waited for a decision on how much of the bill they would forgive. A month later, I got a call telling me it was totally forgiven.

I did the same thing for my ambulance bill and my anesthesiologist, but the process was a LOT easier. I just had to mail some paperwork and it was totally forgiven.

I didn’t bother with the medical equipment suppliers, since the bills came from separate companies and I didn’t feel like going through the process twice for $75. I was assured at the hospital that they had similar programs for debt forgiveness, so I could have probably avoided paying that too.

The only thing I couldn’t get taken care of was the surgeon/follow-up appointment cost, but they were able to put me on a no-interest payment plan.

this article goes into more detail about how disabled people lose their benefits when they get married if you feel like reading about it!!

I haven't posted in ages and that's because I've been busy in college studying psychology (my special interest!). As part of that, I'm researching how autism and gender variance connect. You all know how important it is for autistic and trans people to do our own research so here is your chance!

With also question about diagnosis on autism, had trouble answering because do not have “traditional diagnosis” (no big test or paper) but have extensive conversation and group with professionals and family that show have autism, without big official record & test because not have money/able to get those parts. So not quite self diagnosis, but not quite professional diagnosis. Suspected make sense almost—but know have autism not just suspect.

Also no place to put if in process of diagnosis, or for autistic maybe diagnosis when very young but not know info about that diagnosis, which I know several autistic in that situation. Know some also misdiagnosis, but still have professional diagnosis when sure not have autism but something else. Also no place for “uncertain” (not quite self diagnosis, not prof diagnosis, but not certain if not autistic). Not mad about survey not have these option, not sure if unreasonable to use my thoughts in particular survey, but maybe feedback or thing to consider. Perhaps if makes sense to find other wording for options of other experience with diagnosis status/knows autistic. This if, of course, you are looking for feedback or edit survey. If not then feel free to not react.

for those of you who don't know, music (2021) is a movie being directed by sia about a nonverable autistic girl. not only does it not include any actually autistic people in the movie itself but it also only took advice from autism speaks which is looked at as a hate group by the majority of the autistic community. leaked scenes have also shown the movie glorifying prone restraints which are incredibly dangerous and have resulted in major injuries and even death to disabled people as recently as last year.

autistic people just like me have been incredibly outspoken about how harmful this movie is but the allistic have been mostly silent. we are already seeing reviews calling this movie 'inspiring' and important' and it's absolutely horrific! we need your help calling this out. please stand with us and call out this disgusting display of disrespect to autistic folks.

💛 - your local actually autistic pal

They deserve to be remembered. They need to be.

2020 marks the 75th year since the liberation of Auschwitz. The number of Holocaust survivors decreases each year.

We must study and learn about the Holocaust. We must listen to the testimonies of those who survived.

In regards to what happened yesterday (Jan 6th 2020), Rep. Cori Bush is calling for signatures to hold those at fault accountable for the coup. They’re very close as of 8:30 AM EST, but you can sign here.

here’s the petition!! https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/justice-saraya-rees-1

Tweet one: saraya rees is a mentally ill black 14 year old who was sentenced to jail for pouring gasoline on her parent’s door in a state of psychosis. saraya DID NOT attempt to light the fire and DID NOT have the intention to light it. in an attempt to get help, her parents called (1/2) 

Tweet two: a wellness center that lead to the center calling the police. saraya was then handcuffed and was sentenced to 11 years in juvy prison for attempted murder/assault. saraya was questioned WITHOUT A LAWYER PRESENT and her parents were not allowed to testify. [this is followed by a link to the White House petition, which is also linked above.]

Tweet three:  please sign the White House petition to get her justice! you need to check your email after you signed to confirm your signature. 

The money will be spent on food and, if there’s a surplus, medical supplies. Each food basket contains dry and canned goods that covers all the basic nutrients, lasts long and is easily stored, and serves a family of four for a month.

Because the money conversion ratio is so strong, we can make one of those for $3USD, which is why I encourage people to donate even if it’s very little! 

Here’s the link and thanks for everyone who reached out and wants to help!