Q. I have a friend, age 32, who is severely afflicted with multiple sclerosis (MS). His wife has to diaper him, lift him in and out of bed, and take care of all his needs while working a full-time job. Are there any national or local organizations that can aid this low-income family of three? Presently, they are getting no help from anyone, and I would like to see them get some counseling as well as physical and (if possible) financial assistance.
A. I am so sorry to hear about your friend. There is help out there for him and his family. The best place to start for long-term help is by calling the Social Security Administration. They can request a phone interview for disability benefits and at the same time inquire about supplemental Social Security benefits.
Also, if the patient with MS does not have pharmacy and prescription coverage, the doctor can sometimes request that pharmaceutical companies provide free medication. For information on prescription items available for low-income persons, check the following Web site:
If at one time your friend had a retirement fund, money can be taken out of it with no penalty if he is completely disabled, which seems to be the case. Also, 24 months after the disability is determined, your friend is entitled to Medicare. Disability funding is also given to a parent for care of children under 16 years of age. These children are entitled to Social Security as well as Medicare for medical benefits. The amount of money given is determined by the amount of income brought in prior to requesting disability payments.
Your friend may need certain durable medical supplies such as a wheelchair or hospital bed. Sometimes, medical suppliers may make loans of such equipment, or your area may have a charity that is willing to underwrite these expenses.
You are so right about the need for the entire family to have counseling when a devastating illness strikes. This illness changes everyone's lives and each person needs help coping. There are many local Multiple Sclerosis Society support groups for the patient, the spouse, and for children who have parents with MS. The local chapter should be listed in your local Yellow Pages, or ask a nearby hospital for a contact number.
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