Monday, January 7, 2008 -- 7:55 PM

BEWARE -- I AM VENTING AGAIN!

In many ways, the past month has been horrible.  Tonight was no exception, and as the saying goes, "It was the icing on the cake.”

On Monday nights, my Relapse Prevention Group meets from 5:30 to seven.  There is only one door-to-door transportation service that those of us who are disabled can use.  In order to use it, everyone must schedule their ride from one to three days in advance.  Three days ago, I scheduled my ride for tonight.  I was unable to take the buses because this location is approximately ten miles from where I live.  Since the class starts at 5:30, I told the company that I needed to be there at 5:15.  That usually gives me a little extra leeway just in case the drivers are running a little behind.

By 5:44, my transportation had still not gotten here this evening.  I knew that even if it did arrive, I would not get to my appointment before 6:30 at the earliest.  That would leave me with just half an hour to be in my class.

Before the class began, I called the group leader and told him that my transportation was running late and I did not know when I would get there.  He said he understood that.  (I also have a worry because the clinic has a rule that anyone who misses class three times cannot come there anymore.)  We were talking, and he informed me that starting tonight someone else would be running the classes.  He said he had made that announcement in an earlier class.  I had not been at that class, so I knew nothing about it.

This may seem like a petty matter, but I am extremely ticked off!  1) I had originally entered the twelve-week class after it had already begun.  2) I have been unable to attend some classes due to snow, my wheelchair breaking down, and a fracture in my foot and leg.  3) I have had trouble with the front door to the building that refuses to open for me because I am not tall enough to pass through the security beam.  The present class leader had been told not to leave the building until I was safely on my way home.  4) The class leader and I had an agreement whereby any classes that I had missed could be made up by my going to additional classes at the end of this session.  5) As far as I know, the new class leader does not have any knowledge about anything that has occurred concerning me.

I feel as though I am under a lot of pressure.  I think the best thing for me to do would be to drop this class and sign up for another one that meets during the day.  In this way, I would not have to worry about the door not opening for me.  The way this is usually done is by going through a case manager.  I do not have a case manager.

An option here would be to go to their office and ask for help at the reception desk.  Surely, someone there would know what should be done. 

In addition to that, I have to see my doctor tomorrow concerning a fracture in my foot.  I still have the pain and I am not sure what can be done.

My wheelchair, which was just repaired before Christmas, now has the same problem it had at that time.  If they cannot repair things right, why repair them at all?

My former Personal Care Provider has taken (stolen) the key to my mailbox and refuses to return it.  She kept promising to return it, but that was nearly three weeks ago, and my mail is piling up in the box.  I am sure that I am going to have to buy a new key, and that will cost $20 or more.  In order for me to get that money, I have to go to my bank downtown, but cannot get there because of all the snow.

I am burning up and do not know what to do!  Whether right or wrong, I feel a need to take some kind of action by Wednesday.  I really do not need to be under this much pressure!