“Senator Joe, Part Three”

c. 2018 Rod Ice

All rights reserved

(8-18)

Mailbox 365.

The ritual of checking for mail at my post office box, in Chardon, has become familiar over the years. Originally, I leased this space to direct correspondence relating to my newspaper column for the Geauga County Maple Leaf. Then it became a portal for orders of my various printed volumes under the banner of Icehouse Books.

But more recently, my P. O. box has been useful in receiving information about the ongoing effort to care for my widowed mother. A task that has tested our reserves of stamina and patience.

On three occasions, I have found a letter from the office of Senator Joe Manchin III, D-West Virginia, when I checked this space. With each new discovery, I drove to the home of my sister and her family, where we read the document, together.

The last of these indicated that the mountain-state official had investigated our work with their Department of Health and Human Resources. His words calmed our fears about paying the considerable nursing home bill that had amassed since the struggle began, in February:

“Dear Mr. Ice, Thank you again for contacting my office regarding your mother’s eligibility for Medicaid assistance… I was happy to contact the appropriate officials about this matter and hope you will find the enclosed information useful. I hope that you will always feel free to contact my office in the future if there is a matter in which I might be of service to you.”

Enclosed was a report from Ken Pinnell, Supervisor of Client Services for the bureau. He was writing on behalf of Bill J. Crouch, Cabinet Secretary and John V. Lopez, Director.

“Our office reached out to… (the) Economic Services Supervisor (for) Barbour/Taylor County DHHR for her assistance… The DHHR received the application for Gwendolyn Ice on 6/13/18. Her husband passed away and she was placed in Mansfield Place. (The local nursing home.) Gwendolyn’s assets cannot be verified until the hearing that is scheduled...”

The response had a timeline that deviated somewhat from literal facts. Mom went to Mansfield Place in February. Dad had been sent to Broaddus Hospital, then to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, before returning to the nursing home. He passed away in April. Certificates of deposit that were present in the bank had been turned over immediately, to go toward the bills on hand. The applications for Medicaid assistance on behalf of Mom were numerous. And, unsuccessful for a variety of reasons. Each incident seemed to uncover another fault. Meanwhile, she was diagnosed with senile dementia and could not care for herself. My sister grew fatigued with the conflict and decided that I should take over. But the delay continued.

Meanwhile, mother’s backlog of charges grew at an alarming rate.

My first contact with Senator Joe had been to suggest a ‘Rhoderick’s Law’ on behalf of my late father. Legislation that would compel institutions to work on behalf of families affected in this way, rather than opposing them to reduce or delay costs. We were horrified by the conundrum before us, a situation where we could not effectively handle the responsibilities required of surviving children.

But Manchin’s diligence as a servant of the people gave us hope.

I remembered his time as governor of West Virginia. Once, when visiting the family home in Philippi, we saw a photo of Joe astride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The image made me smile. I gained even more respect for this gentle soul. A genuine citizen servant. Reflecting on this struggle, I wondered if it might be appropriate to send a copy of my book, ‘Biker Lifestyle – And Beyond’ to him as a token of our appreciation. It was an idea to be explored later, once the needs of our mother had been met.

An updated bill from the nursing home arrived in August. It stated the current charges at $29,847.24. I forwarded a copy of this document to our contact at the DHHR.

Meanwhile, a familiar tune reverberated in my head. One that my mother could sing from memory when we were children:

“Oh the West Virginia hills!

How majestic and how grand

With their summits bathed in glory

Like our Prince Immanuel’s land

Is it any wonder then

That my heart with rapture fills

As I stand once more with loved ones

On those West Virginia hills?

Oh the hills, beautiful hills

How I love those West Virginia hills!

If o’er sea, o’er land I roam

Still I’ll think of happy home

And my friends among the West Virginia hills.”

Football season was about to begin. I knew that Mom would be ready to cheer her WVU Mountaineers to victory, once again. Even as she battled to remember us, face-to-face, as her kids. Quietly, I prayed for a victory of a different sort, in being able to take care of her needs from my home near Lake Erie, in Ohio.

Comments about ‘Words On The Loose’ may be sent to: icewritesforyou@gmail.com

Write us at: P. O. Box 365 Chardon, OH 44024