Insurance companies can determine what my daughter needs. Like a chair according to Mr Insurance (that cost $$$$thousands, but that's a whole 'nother rant) is not necessary, because she has a wheelchair (that they didn't purchase, someone gave it to us). Who cares if the wheelchair is always in our garage or at school with her, never inside our house for many reasons. Or a bodysuit that would support her core muscles and allow her to walk, is not needed. Because it's "experimental". Even though we have tried it at therapy for months and it makes a HUGE difference.
Buy a swing for a baby and it's $20. Buy a slightly bigger and stronger swing for a child with low muscle tone and it's hundreds of dollars, if not more.
Buy a trike for a toddler and it's $20. Buy it for a 4ish year old girl who needs additional supports and it's $2500.
I get that equipment for Afua is expensive. But having her grow and develop without the opportunity to move will be much more expensive in the long run.
Every mom who parents a child with medical needs or developmental delays just wants their child to have the best chance to grow and develop. We are mostly reasonable people who are not asking for the moon. We fill out form after form appealing to the common sense of someone in the insurance company, our therapists fight right with us filling out equal amounts of paperwork. We will not give up no matter how frustrating it gets (just in case my insurance company reads this, I WILL file every appeal possible)
When I reach the point of total frustration, this sweet face brings me right back. She is worth it. Every bit of the hassle.
She is a sweetie! I have been going through frustrations of a similar kind for my daughter. She needs behavioral help and ABA and it is near to impossible to actually get it! It is so frustrating! I hope and pray that your little sweetie gets everything she needs!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sylvia. I hope that your daughter gets the helps she needs, it's so hard to understand why we have to fight to get these things.
DeleteIt's the small moments with our special needs children that bring the greatest joys! And oh, that smile of your daughter's is just exceptional! (Visiting from LoveThatMax!)
ReplyDeleteThanks! She really does remind me why we continue to fight for her.
DeleteOur insurance finally paid for S's new chair...$2400+. I can't believe the difference it makes! It took months and months of the two insurance companies trying to decode who would pay. In the meantime my little boy passes out unpredictably and hits his head-and they don't care! It was totally worth the hassle though! To see him sitting up straight with the four point harness keeping him fro falling out is priceless. You are doing a good job momma. Keep up the fight!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, glad to hear you were able to get it. Afua is too tall for her high chair now so we are quickly running out of options. She is so comfy in her wheelchair but we just can't get it into the house. We will keep fighting :)
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