People with AIDS being shit on

[William769]

I know, I happen to be one of them. :(

Some of you know I lost my partner of 15 years in February. We had no life insurance so his funeral wiped out my savings.

In S.W. Florida we have only one County agency to help people with AIDS with financial hardships. In March they told me what bills to pay & what bills not to pay & the bills I don't pay they will, to help me through this hardship. In April I received a call & was informed that they changed their rules & that they would not be able to help me (Needless to say I did not pay my Mortgage in March or April because they said they would do that for me). Now I'm screwed!

With losing David (and his income) I was forced to make some tough decisions, being I am now on a limited income with no savings to fall back on.

I am now going to have to go get a loan to cover the Mortgage & some back bills (how I will pay off the loan is anyones guess).

I have never asked for anyones help in my life & was very hard to do so this time, but I bit the bullet & did it. Come to find out I am not the only one in this area with AIDS that was promised help & then dropped like a hot potato.

Please forgive me for ranting I just needed to vent, this post may not even make sense to anyone.

[ronnykmarshall]

1. Vent, baby vent!

I am so sorry that you're going through this on heels of David's death.

Another point that gay marriage is needed. You could have David's S/S benefits to help cover your expences.

Again baby, I am so sorry and wish you nothing but the best.

[bigscott]

3. I am so sorry

William - I am so sorry this is happening to you. This is WHY we need laws to legitimize our relationships to the rest of this narrow-minded, bigoted country. Most out there don't give a damn if you get thrown out in the street - and it is not always just because you're gay - it is because you are not rich. Rant anytime - shoot me a PM is you want - I will say a prayer - keep the faith - even though sometimes this world does seem stacked against us.

S:hug:

[William769]

17. Thank you.

And yes this is a good reason for marriage rights that some people just don't understand, because it doesn't affect them.

[Lerkfish]

2. I'm sorry that happened to you. is there any way to appeal or

alert someone in the media?

my heart out to you.

[William769]

12. Looking into it, but for the time being

I have to protect my home.

[Lerkfish]

25. Check into nonprofit consumer credit counseling...

they can sometimes negotiate with creditors.

[Warpy]

4. Call the local TV people, call the newspapers,

write this up into an article and submit it, write a shorter form as a LTTE, get this out there.

If you're not the only one, then that agency needs to be looked into for reneging on its mission. My guess is that somebody there is making a packet off dropping AIDS patients. Either that or Jebbie needs to be exposed for being typically unchristian.

Use that word in your LTTE/article, by the way. It packs a serious punch among the fundies.

[William769]

13. Good idea, thanks.

[meegbear]

5. Sorry to hear that ...

Rant away, you're amongst friends.
:hug:

[William769]

18. I can always count on you.

:loveya:

[PublicWrath]

6. My heart aches for you, friend.

I can't help but wonder if the cutoff of funds is a politically directed
act. I'm sure funds are short after 5 years of bush, but I still think they might be tailoring the cutbacks to target particular groups.

Is it possible to find out how the funds for the agency are apportioned overall? And which particular programs are being squeezed?

Again, I'm so sorry.

[William769]

19. You bring up some valid points.

I guess time will tell.

[Jayhawk Lib]

7. Why is this in the GLBT forum?

Aids affects not only gay people but all people and should be in general discussion forum.

[xultar]

10. True but sometimes GD doesn't show the greatest compassion for

people in need of ANY persuasion, race or sexual orientation.

[William769]

14. Thats true.

I just feel more at home in this forum.

[xultar]

8. I'm so sorry. Are there some National organisations you can

contact?

Do you have relatives or in anyother state that can apply for assistance for you?
I live in GA. Can I do something?

[William769]

15. Thanks for offering assistance.

But this is something I think I have to do on my own. As for National organizations? I have no Idea.

[xultar]

21. Well PM me anytime you need to talk! Heart ya! X

[rhino47]

9. I am so sorry you have to go through this.

With the devastation of the loss of your partner this is beyond cruel.

[William769]

20. Ain't that the truth!

But luckily for me I have many people here on DU to turn to in times of trouble for support.

[schmuls]

11. I am so sorry you are facing this. I am so fucking pissed at what is

being done to people. I hope things turn around for you and I will send good thoughts your way.

[William769]

16. Thanks.

:hug:

[Rowdyboy]

22. My friend, I wish I had some suggestion or advice that would help....

All I can do is offer my sympathy, and hopes that things will start to improve. You're still reeling from an enormous loss and I know all this must seem overwhelming. To be sick and alone is tough enough, but that you face serious financial problems too is mind-boggling.

You've got to admit, you have a lot of friends. There's an awful lot of love for you on this thread. I hope in some small way it helps. Heck, we all do..... :grouphug:

[Duncan Grant]

23. Got anything in writing from the county agency, William769?

I can PM you contact information for some local legal and financial advocacy groups for PWA. They may not be able to provide direct aid BUT they may have friends and professional contacts in your area.

Happy to do it, just let me know. :)

[William769]

24. Check your inbox

:)

[Duncan Grant]

26. Got it.

:hi:

[Meldread]

27. Maybe DU can be mobilized?

I don't have much but if a fund was setup I'd certainly donate what I could. Does anyone know if it's possible to get in contact with Skinner and have some type of donation fund setup? After all, who are we if we don't at least take care of our own? We may not be rich individually, but there are enough of us that if each of us gives just a little bit it could make a huge difference.

Any extra money gotten by the fund could be used to benefit other people who were screwed over like this.

[William769]

28. That is such a sweet off & I really appreciate it

But I could not in good conscience ask DU members to do this. But just knowing that you would, makes a world of difference to me. :)

[Occulus]

29. Look at *everything* you received that was in writing.

Read the fine print. They may have already stated this was the case. "They" like to pull that trick.

Also, if they stated in writing they would help you, and they did not write themselves a bailout caluse of some sort, YOU acted in good faith. I would think that would make them responsible for the ramifications of what they were responsible for....

I hate to say it, but you may need to solve this with a civil suit. If there are many in your situation, it could be a class action case.

Call a lawyer. IANAL.

[Meldread]

30. Nonsense. We donate to all sorts of causes all the time.

We donate money all the time to Democratic Candidates who may or may not stand up for us when (or if) they win an election. I think many fellow DUers would feel much better knowing their money is going toward another DUer who is in need. I'd really hate to see you lose your house because you were screwed over, and like I said if there is any extra money left over it can go to benefit other people who got screwed over as well.

...but it is up to you. I'd at least ask you to consider it.

In either case, I'm sorry you have to go through all this. :hug:

[xchrom]

31. sorry dude!

as regards losing your partner -- you and i have similar stories.