I had no where else to turn so I thought I would try this. I am 45 years old, I have worked all my life up until April 2009. I started having dizzy spells at work and went to the doctor. He took me off work for awhile, and I went through tests and I was diagnosed with uncontrolled blood pressure, vaso vagal syncope, mitral valve prolapse and raynauds syndrome. The worst of these being the uncontrolled blood pressure, it ranges for 215/115 down to 80/40. My short term disability ran out in Sept of 09 and work fired me because the doctors would not release me to go back to work, not only did I lose my job but also my insurance. I filed for unemployment but was turned down because it was medical. I applied for social security but it will be two to three years before they will even hear my case. I am married, my husband works but his income won't be enough to carry us through the next couple of years. Private insurance is very expensive, not to mention he now has the burden of groceries, my prescriptions and other small bills that I used to contribute to. It is taking a toll on our marriage and me, I get more depressed every day. I have paid into the system all my life and now that I need help, there isn't any. Does anyone know anything I can do or someone I can turn to for help? Thank you Karen

Your public library should have a file or a three-ring binder for township and county social services, or call those offices. There may be state help available too, depending on where you live. The library should be able to fill you in on other sources of help too. Talk to a reference librarian, not to a clerk at the front desk.

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Have you considered working from home in some way? What had you done during your work life before this?