Sunday, December 29, 2013
 
I HEARD FROM THE RIDE, BUT DO NOT HEAR FROM MY HEARING AID!
Let me explain, This is an update about two of my recent posts.

The first one is in regard to proving to the MBTA that I still qualify for THE RIDE.

The second post was about my new "set of ears."

THE RIDE

This could be a long story but I will try to make it short and sweet.

First I'll tell you it was not a sweet experience.

The MBTA driver picked me up twenty minutes late, drove me to the Charlestown office building and parked the van in front of a huge set of stairs!

I informed him, "I don't do stairs!" He moved the van to a spot that I could manage.

Oh, I just realize that I did write about that but I still can't fathom that he wouldn't understand that it could be difficult for an elderly person, especially those who use THE RIDE.

The interview took about ninety minutes, there were forty questions, yes I said forty questions!

EXAMPLES:
Would you like to learn to ride the bus or subway if such training were available?
I AM NOT INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT RIDING THE BUS OR THE SUBWAY.

Are you able to cross busy streets by yourself all of the time, some of the time or never?
NEVER. I DON'T GET INTO THAT SITUATION BECAUSE I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO WALK FAST ENOUGH TO GET ACROSS.

APPROVED


The good news is I received a letter from THE RIDE Eligibility Center informing me that I am eligible for Unconditional service which means I may use THE RIDE for all my trips.

BUT get this: "Your eligibility is for the following period: 12/12/2013 to 12/30/2016.

I'm not saying another word about that!!!

THE HEARING AIDS

The first time I wore them with a small group of people at home they were OK.

I heard paper crackle, water running and the people talking loud and clear.

I adjusted the sound and it was OK.

The first time I went to the dining room the background was noisy, the waitress's voice was LOUD so I turned the power down and it was better.

This past week when I was at home, I had company and I found the aids were not working.

One night wore them to the dining room, they did not work at all.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?


I was just getting used to putting these "ears" in.

Now, it's probably a small thing that needs adjusting, but I don't know what it could be.

This is what is known as, "a learning experience."

I'll be calling the Doctor tomorrow, giving him an update, and hopefully will be able to see him this week, and hear better after that!

posted by millie garfield @ 6:22 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 7 comments
Monday, December 16, 2013
 
I WAS TAKEN FOR A RIDE!


Image: The Ride. Courtesy MBTA

About a month ago I received a very large postcard from "THE RIDE Eligibility Center" informing me that my eligibility to use THE RIDE will expire soon.

To continue to schedule rides I would need to renew my eligibility.

In addition, they informed me that new procedures have been implemented by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. An in-person interview with a mobility-coordinator is now used to determine eligibility for THE RIDE.  Free transportation to and from the interview would be provided.

YEARS AGO
Years ago if you were a senior or a person with a disability you could  apply for THE RIDE by having a doctor Fill out a form which explained why that individual qualified for that service.  

I did that, was approved, and have used THE RIDE to take me to places like Boston, where the traffic can be horrendous and the roads are unfamiliar.  

All these years I have never heard a peep out of them.

HOW THE RIDE WORKS FOR ME
I call in advance, make a date and time, pay the required sum and hope that they don't pick me up long before the time requested.  Many times there are other people on the bus so it can take a LONG time getting where I want to go.

It's not perfect but it does get me where I want to go!

GETTING INTERVIEWED
I just couldn't believe they were requiring me to appear in-person.

I hadn't heard anyone tell me that they received the same postcard.

Living here at Brooksby Village,  there is a social worker that you can talk to about whatever is troubling you, so I called, asked about the supposed new way to renew your eligibility.

YES, she said, that's how you have to do it now!

Once she confirmed the message I had received, I called, was informed that the interview could take up to NINTY MINUTES and THE RIDE would provide free transportation to and from the interview.

THE DAY CAME
The driver arrived 20 minutes late, no apology, and I had the bumpiest ride I ever experienced.

Finally we arrived at our destination!

What a huge building and what a huge set of stairs!

I informed the driver that I do not do stairs!

"OK",  he says and drives over to a location where there is a long, steep ramp.  I had no problem getting up that slope, BUT I'm sure there are plenty of people that would find that difficult. 

And this is where seniors and people with disabilities have to go to renew their eligibility?  

The long and short of this tale is the interview lasted close to ninety minutes where I had to answer FORTY questions!

THE WAITING GAME
I should hear from the MBTA by December 30.  

If I qualified for THE RIDE years ago, I certainly qualify now.

I was taken for a ride.

One never knows.

I hope I get taken for more rides in the future!


posted by millie garfield @ 4:40 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 3 comments

HOME
Powered by Blogger