Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Waiting for the Plumber


Sophie is eligible for In Home Supportive Services and today is the day that the social worker will be visiting her to assess her needs. The woman with whom I've spoken is very cordial and efficient, and several weeks ago I received a message from her that our appointment would be February 9th, anywhere from 11:00 until 3:00 (that's the plumber analogy, if anyone is slow on the uptake).

So, I kept Sophie home from school (which wasn't a difficult decision because she has taken a sudden downturn, perhaps due to the rain), and I'm waiting.

The social worker called at 9:00 to tell me that she would be running on the later side, closer to 2ish because of backlog.

Sigh.

The social worker called about 9:20 to say that while downloading Sophie's case file she noticed that (and I will paraphrase her) Sophie's coding is a 6v which means that there was no linkage and she isn't eligible until the linkage is resolved.


I said I didn't know what she was talking about. What is coding 6v and what do you mean that there is no linkage?


We went back and forth for a bit, with me growing increasingly upset, perhaps tearful and her, kind, but clearly emphatic about the coding 6v and there being no linkage. I'm not kidding you.

I don't even want to tell you who I called and how it was resolved, but it was resolved. I'm sure you remember that I'm an acrobat on a flying trapeze in the circus, right? That's me, over there on the right with the long dark hair and pink tights, hanging from the rope by my teeth.



The 6v and the linkage is taken care of -- there was a misunderstanding.

Say a prayer or send some flowers to the universe while I continue waiting for the plumber. I'll let you know what happens.

*** The caseworker has come and gone. She was lovely and very accommodating. Now we will be patient.

24 comments:

  1. done! also sending you and sophie hugs!

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  2. Oh geez!! Hope she makes it without any other observations.

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  3. You and Sophie are in my thoughts and heart.

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  4. And what a beautiful trapeze artist you are.

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  5. Gosh. You ARE a trapese artist. Glad you got it resolved, but doesn't sound fun hanging like that. Sending a HUGE bunch of pink (hot and pale mixed) gebera daisies your way.

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  6. I'm sending all kinds of good stuff to the universe on your and Sophie's behalf. 6v and no linkage, WTF*%#¥?! One of the things I love about you is that your humor kicks in in these absurd situations while hanging on the trapeze. Lots of love is going in your way.

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  7. I've never heard of a 6v and linkage but all the rest of the story sounds completely familiar. Oh, too familiar. Praying. Sending love. Understanding. Oh my goodness, it DOES feel like the circus, doesn't it? It does.

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  8. I hope that the meeting went well.

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  9. That red tape can interfere so deeply with the well being of a child and their family is a social disgrace! I mean, really!! Glad you were able to get it worked out. You are such an inspiration advocate -- and mother.

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  10. Wow - you should write a science fiction film. That sounds totally out of some crazy Terry Gilliam film...

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  11. Wow! S**t like that never happens around here ... amazing. ;)

    Keep up the good fight!

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  12. Some times I think they take a perverse pleasure dealing with the flaming hoops...sigh.

    I am glad she was nice and hopefully this whole thing is going to be "just" another one to forget soon enough. My admiration for your fortitude grows as mine diminishes daily when dealing with similar things.

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  13. Something about that "there is no linkage" reminds me of poor old Dan Rather and his "Kenneth, what's the frequency?" moment.

    I think "finding a way" must be your middle name.

    FYI, my brother will have radical cystectomy surgery on February 23 at M D Anderson Cancer Center in Orlando. The gifted young whippersnapper of a surgeon is going to build Steve a new bladder from a piece of his large intestine. Science and artistry - incredible. That's why I'm so here again/gone again on my blog right now. Can't write. Can't not write. You know how it is. . .

    Your current blog banner is gorgeous.

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  14. I'm so glad that you were able to work the 6v no linkage thing out. I do wonder about those who have the same "whateveritis" and just accept the fact rather than having the ability to straighten it out. So, so easy to fall through the cracks of misunderstandings! I'm sending sun-colored snapdragons into the universe for you and Sophie! Love the idea.

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  15. ahhhh, of course. The 6v linkage. And it's Tuesday. That makes perfect sense.

    I'm sorry to say, but it's good that they came to assess when Sophie was having a downturn. Inevitably someone comes to assess Maggie and she's having the best day ever. Me: but this isn't normal, really....and I'm suddenly in a postiton of having to downplay my daughters accomplichments of which I am so proud....

    I would trust you to catch me on the trapeze any day

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  16. Maddening. Frustrating. So unnecessary. Hope it stops raining.

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  17. Damn.

    Strength and grace both.

    Glad you were able to move bureaucracy. Hope the wait isn't long. Who wants to be patient?

    Hope the weather settles and Sophie has a better day tomorrow.

    You've talked about how much she loves the beach. I was wondering if maybe a small fountain in her room might be soothing. Just a thought.

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  18. Keeping you all in my prayers. One step at a time, hoping for the best.

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  19. truly.
    sophie has the moon and the stars gracing her landscape through you.
    sending love...

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  20. Good God. No wonder you had to hold on with your teeth. Stop the insanity!

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  21. Thank you for this post. Underlying this is the hard fact that it takes stamina, wits, strength, and courage to fight the good fight for our children. I weep for the parents without these skills. You know how hard it is and can be. I urge every parent reading this to help change the system just a little bit for all those families that can't or don't know how. What you do for Sophie will help other! Take care, C.

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  22. I don't see my comment here... wondered why I wasn't getting the others as I always subscribe.

    I 've been thinking of you so much.

    still praying for Sophie, you , and your beautiful family.

    and you rock that bodysuit :)

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  23. Nice work clearing up those "misunderstandings." You collect $200 and advance to "Go" again. And the Get Out of Jail Free card is yours, permanently.

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  24. Did the plumber ever turn up?

    Makes me ashamed to be a plumber.

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