conspiracy and collusion

Dianne and I saddled up and drove to University Hospital at 2:00 pm to meet with Brent the sales guy and Randy my PT and seating specialist to begin the process of ordering my new power chair. I used to go to all these event by myself but lately I have started inviting Dianne to accompany me not only as my wife but as my Medical Advocate(MA). I have been pleasantly surprised at how effective Dianne has been as my MA, particularly how through and effective she is in developing my case.
We got to the rehab unit right on time and Brent and Randy was there—

Friday afternoons are typically slow on rehab units but I was surprised to see how many people and how much activity was going on when we checked in. There were in PT students still hanging out following Randy around like adoring fans of their rock star. I was kind of surprised to note that Randy had already softened Brent the durable medical guy, up as to my desire to consider a completely new chair as opposed to fixing up my current Pride product, the Quantum, which I have liked but goes just way to slow to have to endure for another five years if I do not have to. Randy had informed me that that the chair I want, the Permobile Street Corpse/Urban Challenger, which costs way too much but does not yield the commissions that durable medical sales guys like. But Brent was OK with my decision. And sounded as if he was hell bent to push my case.

So we spent the next hour and half getting measured, talking about my needs, what I was able to do physically and how such a chair as the urban challenger would allow me to meet my vocational and social goals. This was a look on the “inside” for me, these two guys were actually figuring out how they could manipulate the system to achieve my goal getting the equipment I think I need.
I was pleased and impressed at how aggressive and effectively Dianne presented my case of the wife of a person who needed—the best powerchair on the market today. How I needed a chair which could speedily get me back and forth to my train station safely and dependably. How I used the powerchair every day and day out rain and snow light and dark. How even if the cost to us is going to be astronomical, even after insurance intervention, we will just figure out a way to pay the cost for years to come. I am not sure how we will do this but I have to have faith.

So now everyone has colluded: the PT, the durable medical provider, the MA and the crip, this is conspiracy of the highest caliber. Now Randy , the PT, is going to attempt to write the “need” letter just the right way, which my Katia, my medical provider, will sign and present to the insurance folk which will , hopefully, get the ball rolling. I am thinking my portion of responsibility is going to be between 8,0000 and 10,000 dollars!! This is not right but just the way it is. So, I have been measured and almost authorized now the real work begins… conspiracy and collusion