People with disabilities get transportation to medical care

By S. Virginia De Herdt
Correspondent

Rural living didn't used to pose problems for Tom and Janet Little of Wellington. But now, between the two of them, they have plenty of health problems and medical appointments and little money to fill the tank of their gas-guzzling van to get to those appointments.

Disabled Resource Services, however, is helping fill medical transportation needs for people with disabilities and low incomes, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the LogistiCare Foundation for the Medical Transportation Program.

The grant supports a collaborative effort between Disabled Resource Services, Catholic Charities Northern and the county's Options for Long-Term Care. Each organization covers their administrative program costs so the grant money directly helps some of the neediest people in Larimer County reach medical appointments.

The Littles agree they've seen hard times, but whenever they've needed something, resources have appeared. They quickly credit God for that. A self-professed "jack of all trades," Tom worked as a welder in construction, until thyroid disease and multiple sclerosis led to a 62-pound weight loss, delayed memory and need for a wheelchair. Janet, who worked in child care, was diagnosed with diabetes.

About a year ago, Tom won an old van with a wheelchair lift through a Multiple Sclerosis Society drawing. It makes car travel less stressful than it was the three previous years, when Janet had to load Tom into a trailer that she hitched behind their Subaru--a difficult process for her and a bouncy ride for Tom and wheelchair.

They're grateful for the van, despite lacking money to fix the broken door hinges and a window that won't shut completely. It uses no oil, according to Tom. But at eight to 10 miles per gallon, gasoline doesn't go very far. They make many trips to the Harmony Medical Center--40 miles round trip--and unable to insure two cars, they had to get rid of their more fuel-efficient Subaru.

DRS case manager Dave McDanal has known the Littles about 10 years. Over the years, he said, Tom used DRS employment services and borrowed various equipment from the loan closet. Janet recently received gas vouchers for trips to her medical appointments. While Tom's transportation is covered by Medicaid and arranged through LogistiCare, Janet is uninsured. Her diabetes complications meant a hospital stay, numerous medical appointments and additional medical bills, on top of Tom's.

"You can't budget when you have so many doctor bills," she said.

People with disabilities typically require care for health complications, but transportation barriers can prevent them getting that care. Those who can't reach appointments by public or volunteer transportation services (Transfort, Dial-A-Ride or SAINT, for example) usually can't afford a taxi or gasoline. Health-care provider locations, such as Harmony Medical Center, may not be on fixed bus routes. Appointments may be in other cities or too early. Too many bus transfers can prevent persons in fragile health from making long trips to appointments. Veterans eligible for VA transportation may need someone to assist them, but companions can't ride along.

To be eligible for help from DRS through the Medical Transportation Program, McDanal explained, individuals must prove they have a disability and must not receive Medicaid. Those receiving Medicaid must work directly with LogistiCare--not the foundation but the broker contracted by the state to help Medicaid clients with transportation services to medical appointments.

DRS will either provide gas vouchers (about 50 or 60 since last January) or arrange rides with Shamrock Taxi. Recipients of either must obtain health care provider signatures to document appointments. People are asked to try to call DRS at least 24 hours before their appointments.

Some people come to DRS for help because Medicaid is pending. More often, people are waiting for their Social Security applications to be processed, which takes six to 18 months. "They're just stuck," said McDanal. "They don't have anything ... many can't work ... they basically go bankrupt waiting for Social Security."

Ninety-seven percent of those who come to DRS for help have disabilities and low incomes. Some have come to the office and said, "We don't even have enough money to get home."

Thanks in part to supporters of the annual Wine Fest fund-raiser, DRS can offer services that help people with disabilities live as independently as possible. Wine Fest profit represents 11 percent of DRS' operating budget and helps the agency continue to help people with disabilities and their families, as it has since 1978. Nearly 31,000 people in Larimer County have disabilities and could at some point need assistance.

Wine Fest XXIV takes place June 9 at Hilton Fort Collins, 425 W. Prospect Road. Tickets cost $40. Lodging packages are available. For more information, call 482-2700 or visit www.fortnet.org/drs/winefest.