Laurie Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 Sorry that it has been so long that I have posted. Just have had my hands full all summer with everything going on. First the great news! After seven years Dad got his Auto grant approved for a wheel chair auto! We found a place in Portland that works really great with the Veterans called Preformance Mobility - Mike did a wonderful job and handled everything from the VA beautifully and so smothly! If only our claims could be handled as smoth as the VA did on the Auto grant would save us years of appeals! We found a used Van that was taken care of since new. It is a E-150 ford with a drop down floor for the lift. It is a conversion Van that is blue and has the TV and VCR for Dad and Mom. Dad really loves the fact that he just gets wheeled into the Van and tied down. In the last 7 years we have used a Mercy Mountainer and had to prezzel Dad into the car and had to have a curb to load him into the car. We have been taking Mom and Dad out weekly to either breakfest or dinner. It is so great to be able to take them places again and not have to worry about hurting Dad getting into the car and out or if there would be a curb to get him back into the car. From the time that Dad got the approval letter for the grant on the auto till the time that he had the Van took about 6 weeks. Had a time trying to find someone that knew what they were doing and would work with the VA on the grant. Once we found the Preformance Mobility who explained how everything worked it went though within 3 - 1/2 weeks. For those that know about the grant but do not really relize what the grant really does here is the break down. The VA approves you for the auto grant stating it is worth $11,000 toward the purchase of a handicapped auto. (We tried to find a auto where we did not have to put out over 15,000 out of pocket-) The part that we did not know was the $11,000 was ment for just the auto without the equipment! The VA pays on top of the $11,000 to outfit the Van or car for what the Vetern needs are. Dad special needs being totally dependent on the wheel chair and needs someone to ride beside him because he chokes on his own sylaiva easliy, plus he does not drive at all because of his stroke and medical problems. The VA paid the $11,000 for the Van than paid for the equipment that was installed in the Van as used. The VA paid the total of around $22,000 for the Van. What a God send the Van is for Dad and us and our backs! Once you have the auto grant you can have 2 autos outfitted every 4 years. This means that if you get a second auto or want to buy another auto you can than the VA will put in the equipment for you. The VA has also approved the Special Adaptive housing for Dad after 5 years of fighting. We had the addition put onto our home to move up Mom and Dad 5 years ago. (the SO told us to go ahead and build the addition and the VA will just put the grant money down on the extra mortages- Dad was denied after we did the addition and moved him up to the farm. We were stuipied back than and trusted the SO and knew nothing about the VA) I would do it all over again but I would of not put the 2nd and 3 mortage on the farm the way that I did. I would of refinance differently and had a better load that was ment for a longer perild. We did build the home to the VA regulations. It cost us $135,000 for the addition but it was the way that Dad and Mom wanted it. The addition was designed according to what they were use to and the type of habits they had. Dad likes the computer and Mom likes her sewing. They have the extra room just for that plus their bedrooms, a nice livingroom and dinning room. (1300 square feet total). They really love being on the farm and having the farm animals here. We have already got the home inspecition done and just have a couple of minor things to do that were added to the regulations in the last 5 years. We have to expand the pourch roof where Dad's Auto lift will lower down and he will be under cover from the weather. (6x8 total area to build) Add a second ramp on the back patio where there will be 2 exits from their part of the house and put a rubber trap on the bath room sink. So we are working on getting those three things done. Than it is just getting the copies of paper work on the mortage and how everything is filled on the home. Sould have everything done by Christmas. What a wonderful christmas gift. Our mortage will be back down to where it was when we started the addition on the home. (We use part of Dad's retro to pay off the 2 & 3nd -high instest rates leaving the 50 k on the 1st mortage if the VA did do the SMH grant) With the problems that we have had in the past trying to get the other adaptive grant for a ramp (The $4100 one) we will be doing the improvements our selfs with our contractor. Will be easier without all the problems and hassels from the VA) We tried to use the grant to have the VA put in the toliet and a ramp for Dad when he first had the stroke and never was able to get through the red tape in 3 months just to bring Dad home from the hospital after his stroke. Sorry that this is so long but just wanted to let everyone know that things are moving along with the VA for Dad in a posstive way. Plus wanted to add some extras so others might benefit and understand better what is out there to help them also. Dad is still holding in there and enjoying getting out more. He just got done with a bad cancerous lump on his neck. The VA took out the lump putting 60 staples down the back side of his neck. Than the VA had to go back in because they did not get all the cancer. (invassive basel cell) Went back in for a MOSS type of surgery where they can make sure they got all of the cancer. Dad had over 100 staples in the back of the neck the second time. We just got the staples out this week and he is doing just fine now. He is in the progress of teating the 19 year old grandson how to play poker. Dad still wins all the time. Good thing that they don't play for real money or the kid would be broke all the time! Have a great day and thank you all for your help and support with Dads claim- Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadIt.com Elder Pete53 Posted November 8, 2005 HadIt.com Elder Share Posted November 8, 2005 That is great news and good to see you back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeattleShay Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Glad to see you back Laurie and happy that things are finally falling into place after so long. Heaven definately has a special place for children like you....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich T Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 (edited) Laurie, Congrats... Two things that you may not relize about the auto grant. 1. If qualified the veteran is also eigible for a cell phone or CB radio for each vehicle (up to $150.. not service, but equipment). Then secondly, the vet may also qualify for reimbursement for $1,000 from one of the big 3 for their adaptive equipment even if the VA paid for the equipment. See http://www.edmunds.com/edweb/editorial/features/mobility.htm PS I should have provided the VHA Handbook see attachedDepartment_of_Veterans_Affairs_VHA_HANDBOOK_1173.4.doc Edited November 11, 2005 by Rich T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nlualum82 Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Glad to hear from you, Laurie - especially good news! Money can't make it all better, but I'm glad it makes your Fathers life better. Sounds like it has made him so much more a part of a wonderful family. Believe me, getting taken out to eat by the family once a week would be an improvement for most of us, regardless of disability! Many more blessings to you all! Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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