ES - Donations

[Christine Fink]

I am so sorry to hear about Rhianna. She and her family are in my prayers.

Donnel is right about the things they offer to parents of long-term 
patients. But, you might want to also check with the hospital and see if 
they have a special fund to help defray the cost of the room they are using 
to sleep in.

When my daughter was born, we had no insurance covering her, only myself. 
The hospital said that it didn't matter if she was a well baby because they 
wrote off anything the insurance did not pick up on well-baby expenses.  
However, Diane was deathly ill from the moment she left my body and the 
charges just for infant ICU was in the six digits price range ($125,000) for 
just one week. This did not cover all the other expenses of the doctor (a 
pediatric specialist), lab work, her IV or her medication. We talked to the 
hospital and told them that we couldn't pay much more than $100 a month. The 
nice lady we talked to told us of a fund that had been set up just for this 
type of situation. Out total bill of $175,000 was totally paid for by the 
hospital and did not go on our credit history. So, in the end...instead of 
worrying about how to pay the huge bill that loomed before us, we were able 
to concentrate ourselves on our baby.

If the hospital doesn't have a fund set up to help with these expenses. Have 
them call (or you might be able to call on their behalf) "First Call for 
Help" they are set up by the United Way and they have a large phone book of 
varying charities, their addresses and phone numbers. Tell them situation 
and ask if they have anyone they could be refered to. The Ronald McDonald 
House may even be able to help.

I wish I could help more.
Maria


----Original Message Follows----
First off I want to say I am sorry for the accident and I am praying for
them.
Second they need to get in contact with a patient liason at the hospital and
find out what programs are in place for long term pations. If there is a
parking area that is pay per there should be a card for them to get in and
out. Also check into a beeper . Most hospitals will have that  program so
they can get intoch with you. I think  some hospitals also have a reduced
price meal card.  Now it has been over 9yrs since I went threw anything like
this. So the progams may have changed. But check it out. Also as to the
sleeping arrangement there should be a chair that lays out in a kind of bed
in her room. They usually allow one parent to stay there. Since this is a
child there are other rights of parents that are in place. You just  have to
ask and find a person willing to tell you. Good luck.
Donnel
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