Hello all...I've posted on and off for several years, previously as "CAmom."
A brief history: My son's diagnosis started out as ADHD and was later thought to perhaps be bipolar and has now has been confirmed as such. He's been on medications for bipolar twice in the past but never really bought into them and didn't give them a long enough trial. In the meantime, he's experimented with various substances over the years including alcohol, Oxy Contin, and even heroin (not injected) and has subsequently successfully quit each, preferring marijuana as his "drug of choice." In CA, he had a medical marijuana card. However, when we moved as a family to FL two years ago where it's illegal, he, having learned the hard way that he can't escape the long arm of the law, began using the synthetic version which is in the process of being banned in Fl but is still sold and has had a disastrous effect on his mental health, particularly his bipolar.
When he finally decided to ask for help for his bipolar a few weeks past, I got him an appointment with our family doctor who prescribed specific bipolar and anti-anxiety medications which my son has abused in the past. He did so again and ended up over-medicated, falling down at least one flight of cement fire stairs, severely breaking both ankles.
I've been dreading this day for a long time. He's had many consequences of his poor choices in the past: juvenile hall and a group home at age 17 and jail time and numerous penalties for a DUI last year. However, this consequence is the worst yet and could and probably will impact his life from here on out.
Obviously, there are lots of issues here, but my main concern for him at the moment is finding out what can be done to make sure he gets whatever services are available for him as a medically uninsured young person who's likely to be disabled for at least a half year and probably even longer. His orthopedic surgeon has told me that he has "a long, and very difficult road ahead of him."
He still lives at home, and, despite his various problems, is a loving and caring son to his dad, my husband, who has early Alzheimers and is under Hospice care. There's no way we can cover what will likely be huge medical bills for our sons hospital stay, surgeries, and rehab. The hospital has already called, asking for information about my and my husband's income (SS only), and I pointed out that, since our son is over 21, we can't be held responsible for his medical bills, and, because of our situation, they need to look to other sources to pay his bills. Of course, if we were millionaires, I wouldn't hesitate to pay them myself because he's going to need extensive rehab, and I'm afraid that that won't be offered to a basically indigent young man with no job and no chance of getting one for the indefinate future...it could be months before he can even bear wieght on one foot, much less both.
Does anyone have any advice for me as to how to best advocate for him as far as assistance for his medical care and rehab, specifically in Florida? He in no way, is mentally or physically able to deal with all this himself at this point.
Thanks!
A brief history: My son's diagnosis started out as ADHD and was later thought to perhaps be bipolar and has now has been confirmed as such. He's been on medications for bipolar twice in the past but never really bought into them and didn't give them a long enough trial. In the meantime, he's experimented with various substances over the years including alcohol, Oxy Contin, and even heroin (not injected) and has subsequently successfully quit each, preferring marijuana as his "drug of choice." In CA, he had a medical marijuana card. However, when we moved as a family to FL two years ago where it's illegal, he, having learned the hard way that he can't escape the long arm of the law, began using the synthetic version which is in the process of being banned in Fl but is still sold and has had a disastrous effect on his mental health, particularly his bipolar.
When he finally decided to ask for help for his bipolar a few weeks past, I got him an appointment with our family doctor who prescribed specific bipolar and anti-anxiety medications which my son has abused in the past. He did so again and ended up over-medicated, falling down at least one flight of cement fire stairs, severely breaking both ankles.
I've been dreading this day for a long time. He's had many consequences of his poor choices in the past: juvenile hall and a group home at age 17 and jail time and numerous penalties for a DUI last year. However, this consequence is the worst yet and could and probably will impact his life from here on out.
Obviously, there are lots of issues here, but my main concern for him at the moment is finding out what can be done to make sure he gets whatever services are available for him as a medically uninsured young person who's likely to be disabled for at least a half year and probably even longer. His orthopedic surgeon has told me that he has "a long, and very difficult road ahead of him."
He still lives at home, and, despite his various problems, is a loving and caring son to his dad, my husband, who has early Alzheimers and is under Hospice care. There's no way we can cover what will likely be huge medical bills for our sons hospital stay, surgeries, and rehab. The hospital has already called, asking for information about my and my husband's income (SS only), and I pointed out that, since our son is over 21, we can't be held responsible for his medical bills, and, because of our situation, they need to look to other sources to pay his bills. Of course, if we were millionaires, I wouldn't hesitate to pay them myself because he's going to need extensive rehab, and I'm afraid that that won't be offered to a basically indigent young man with no job and no chance of getting one for the indefinate future...it could be months before he can even bear wieght on one foot, much less both.
Does anyone have any advice for me as to how to best advocate for him as far as assistance for his medical care and rehab, specifically in Florida? He in no way, is mentally or physically able to deal with all this himself at this point.
Thanks!