By Paul J. Casebolt
During the more than eight years of his fleshly affliction, one of the most difficult things for David to deal with was the constant indebtedness which accompanied his heart transplant. And because of his desire and decision to return to gainful employment as soon as possible after the original surgery, the Social Security Ad-ministration later penalized him in the amount of over 59000 for the partial disability paid to him during his leave of absence from school teaching.
And as if this were not enough, once he qualified for total disability while awaiting his second transplant (which never materialized), the state (WV) disability penalized him more than $3000 when he qualified for federal disability. The bureaucratic confusion is so great (and so typical), that it is requiring the intervention of a senator and a representative to untangle the mess. But the penalties still have to be paid.
Lawyers and accountants are being consulted, which is the last thing a family needs on the heels of a funeral.
Im sorry that I cannot give an exact figure, or even an accurate estimate of what medical bills have yet to be paid, besides the other expenses already mentioned. At no time in the past eight years could the medical providers and the insurance companies (including state and federal social security agencies), tell the family what they owed. It takes at least three months for a claim to be filed, and three more months for a waiver claim to be filed (due to in-state/out of-state treatment).
Even after the final hospitalization, it will be at least six months before the family will have some idea of what is owed. Insurance will cover much of the expense, but we know for certain that the bills will come to several thou-sand dollars beside the ones already mentioned (Social Security and funeral-related expenses). And none of this covers the fact that the family will have no income to speak of other than Social Security benefits (once that is resolved). Sister Joy works one and one-half days per week teaching in a preschool, at minimal wages.
Over the years, several have helped the family with their medical and living expenses, and some (both individuals and congregations) are still helping. And most of this is coming from sources that know the family and their needs. But another of Davids main concerns was not his own health or even his impending death, but what would happen to his family after he was gone. It is not pleasant to be on the receiving end of benevolence, but for those of us who are able to “abound in this grace,” it is still “more blessed to give than to receive” (2 Cot. 8:1-7; Acts 20:35).
We do not mean for others to be burdened, and we expect no one to contribute blindly to an unknown cause. We can only assure you that those of us who are relatives will do our best to help, and that if the family should receive more than is needed, contributors will be notified or the contributions will be returned.
I make only this one request: please do not call the family and ask them what their financial needs are. As of now, they dont know, and neither does anyone else, and the ordeal of trying to explain this only adds to the scope of problems already “sufficient unto the day.” The family can use relief now, and any help can be sent to Mrs. David Joy, 313 S. 4th Ave., Paden City, WV 26159.
If I can clarify any questions, you can contact me at (304) 758-4228.
Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 14 p. 9
July 15, 1993