~Scroll down to see Pics of Sarah, my daughter with Spina Bifida~

I Promised I would keep you up to date on how the whole Screening process goes for the Long Term Care Waiver for my Aunt, so here's what's happened so far.

By the way, if you didn't read the post about waivers, there is a waiver that disabled children and adults can get that pays someone of your choice to take care of your child. In my daughter Sarah's case, it pays up to 30 hours a week, plus 720 hours a year in respite care. Both of her grandmothers are paid to take care of her. You can use the respite care to supplement the 30 hours if you need someone longer than 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. You can email me at crystalcooks63@aim.com if you want more info.

On Thursday I called our local Social Services Department to request a screening for the EDCD Waiver for Long Term Care. The first person on the phone had no idea what I was talking about but she finally connected me with someone who did. If you get the same response, insist on talking to a Supervisor or someone who knows about Medicaid Waivers.

Once I got the correct person, she knew exactly what I needed. She said she would mail out an application for Medicaid the next day, and I should apply for that before they do they screening for the Long Term Care. She did write on the application "Long Term Care" so it would not automatically be denied because of income.


On Saturday, the application came in the mail. That was incredibly fast I thought, so I was impressed!! Here's another look at the application, there are 13 pages, but we only have to fill out about 8 of them. They mark out what you don't need to fill out. That helps, because any paperwork like this is quite confusing to me.

This is just a typical Medicaid application. If you've ever applied for Medicaid, then you know what type of questions they ask. If not, there is a section for General Information, for Resources (like Checking Acct, etc.), for Income. I admit I had to have my husband help me fill out Sarah's, and even then we weren't sure about some of it. You can always go to Social Services and have them help you if need be. If you already receive Medicaid, you don't need to do this step. They will just schedule a screening for you. The lady told me the screening should be able to be done by January 30, she would call me with a date soon, so that's not a long wait.

So now I will take this application to my Aunts house on Tuesday (weather permitting) and I'll let you know how it goes as far as getting it completed!!

One thing I would like to tell you is that here in Virginia, there will be a waiting list for this waiver starting in July, so they encourage anybody who wants to apply to do it as soon as possible. That may be the case in all states, but I'm not sure.

Now, on to other things. I have been looking at pics of Sarah when she was little, and want to share some of her pics with equipment that she's used, etc. As soon as I figure out how to use my new scanner, I'll get right to that!!! For now, I'll share a recent pic of her. She'll always be my baby girl, even though she's 22 now!
Sarah has a best friend one year older than her that also has Spina Bifida. They've been best buds since 6th grade.
That's all the Spina Bifida talk today, I've got to read a scanner manual!!!!!!!!

But, here's the ooey, gooey dessert I made last night. It was really good, but soooo sweet. I only ate a bite, been doing great on the diet and lost 5 pounds this week, so I divided it up and took some to Church for the Hospitality Room and the rest to my Mother in laws for dinner!! One diet disaster averted, we'll see how the rest of the week goes.

Ebay has picked up a little bit. It's been very, very slow since Christmas, but I have sold a few things this weekend, so I'm not complaining. It probably helps that I have more things going to auction right now, so it drives more traffic to the store. I still have a whole giant bucket of brand new shorts to list, but I can't seem to find the time.

This is the HATE part of my Love/Hate relationship with eBay. That used to be my fireplace, now it's just temporary storage for my summer stock. Can't wait to finish listing, and get that stuff put away. But honestly, it never really goes away. As soon as I finish that, there will be more. There always is :(

You should see the other side of the room. Not gonna show that yet, I haven't got that brave!!!!!!!

God Bless everyone today with a great, relaxing Sunday!
Crystal :)