Yeah,  See Phan it's not unusual for union commercial and/or industrial construction jobs to employ a couple hundred or more people.  Hell,  to build an iron producing blast furnace requires at least 300 people.  The refinery expansion is 2 miles by 3 miles,  when completed they will refine oil piped in from Canada.

Sounds like hard work.

Only if you're scared of heights!  LOL!

I'd have another heart attack and die on the spot!

Joe I'm sorry all I can do is offer you a place to stay at. I'm disabled myself and got hit with a huge heating bill this month, and my lawsuit settlement didn't come in yet,  so my cash is pretty much tapped out unfortunanetly or I'd send you some fundage. Infact if things would have worked out as I'd hoped I was going to pay for a hotel room down there for you for a few months.

I know it's not much but I also wanted to encourage you to keep your chin up. I've been where you are at right now myself a couple of times in my lifetime, infact I once lived under a bridge in hobotown for a while. So trust me when I say, that I can assure you that things will get better. Also Joe, if you are going to apply for disability with social security feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions or need any help in dealing with them. I've dealt with them for a number of years now, and know the ins and outs pretty well.

You'll be in our prayers up here Joe.

Regards,

D.

That genlteman in the photo is an ironworker.  Ironworking is only one facet in the building trades.  There's plenty of others that are less physically demanding. 

See,  in the next year or two there are only two industries that are going to be profitable;  commercial construction and video gaming.

BTW the stimulus package that's coming down the pike is the largest since 1936.  Now,  the stimulus package of '36 lead to a 20 year building boom.  Just food for thought.

ANY wisdom of dealing with dolts in Social Security will be MOST appreciated!
I applied and recieved the first turn down.
I got a lawyer and filed an appeal.
I am waiting for word from them on the appeal.  The appeal was filed at  10-15-2008 or there abouts. 01-15-2009 will be three months for the appeal, more than two years to the first turn down.

I've had two strokes and have had a great down-turn in health. I can only  stand up for an hour or so before I lose my footing. I have trouble walking without falling down.  I have uncontrollable muscle-spasms, and severe short and long term memory loss and have gone blind in one eye. I sometimes slur my words and can't be understood. I sometimes fall asleep at random intrevals, and cannot sleep at regular times,

Construction is strictly out. I can't hold a regular job.

@Phantom3d and Annibel, got the gifts and THANK YOU SO MUCH!  That will help loads! In fact, it might make a REAL life-changing amount.  Sort of reaching critical mass to affect things!

More news as it happens and I can get to a computer to inform ya!

Last stimulus package I got was $26 USD from our government!  NOT $300 promised!  I had to PAY last year $273 to the IRS for cashing out my savings to live on. Greedy fuckers. I hate them so much, :cursing: There is little justice in this world.

Can you drive a truck?

Not really. I can't drive for crap any more. It's terrifying to just drive down to the grocery store now. My reaction time is for diddly now.  My licence is revoked, and have no insurance. My tags are about to expire at the end of the month,too.  One traffic stop away from death. If I get pulled over, they'll consficate my worldly belongings and put me in jail for a month.  The police don't care if I'm crippled up. The really poor are not allowed to drive is this county. Thems the facts from my perspective.

So driving jobs is right out,too.

Joel, hang in there, I'll try to help as I can.  I dont know much about social security, but I see adds on TV for law firms I'll jot down any info i come across.

Pat, I have been thinking about those refinery construction jobs for myself.  There are ominous rumblings again at the company I work for, and if they lay me off again, I don't mind relocating.  I can weld, though I'm not certified. We'll see what happens.

Joel,

You said it. I"m a service related disabled veteran, have had two heart attacks, have a congenital neurological disorder, and constant sever lower back pain/ problems with my spine and they're always trying to cut me off.

The good news though is that your appeal should be answered soon if it's been three months already. Appeals are usually answered within 90 days. At least here in my state they are. It may vary for you though since each state administers disability claims themselves. So you know you'll probably have to go to their doctor too, as well as to a "informal"  hearing, if you haven't already. And if you've gotten an attny the good news is you'll probably be approved, and you will get back pay from the time you first applied since you appealed the denial. I myself had to wait for over two years as you've done, and I got quite a nice little back pay check, in excess of ten grand infact. Which I think will more than cover getting your new place. .

So just hang in there man, you've already done the best thing anyone applying for SS benefits can do when you appealed and got an attrny. So you know though, once you do get approved, wich I have little doubt you will be, going by what you've said is wrong here, start saving a little bit of money every month if you can. For  the attrny you'll need oh about every three years or so, because they'll review your disability claim and try to cut you off and you'll have to appeal and go through it all again. (I'm assuming your not elderly).

I think they do that, thinking folks will get tired of jumping through their hoops and just go get a job somewhere.

For some reason the point that a person is DISABLED and thus by definition cannot work seems to be lost on the SS administration.

Oh and man if your liscence is revoked please don't drive. If you were to get arrested for driving with no liscence/plates/tags etc... you will lose your appeal. Because you can't collect SS disability while in jail.

Social Security lawyers are a laugh! I had one when I was turned down on diasablity. He sat in the judge's chamber and didn't help at all. I was refused SSI or Medicaid on a state level. I appealed and went down to DFS for the hearing. They had a lawyer to do the interview for DFS and as luck would have it, I went into , not one but, several seizures and he said enough. He passed me for medicaid, then I passed for SSI and at last my social security. It was a two year battle. If your state has medicaid, apply for it and SSI. If you get those through, you'll get the social security too. My thoughts are with you and if I get a few dollars to spare, I'll try to send but I'm not sure on that.

Hi Phan

Most excellent!  Don't worry about certification,  if the inspectors like your work,  they'll upgrade your papers or certify you. The union has a fast track program as well.  Pm me

Hi Joel

I get paid tues and I'll send what I can.

Now,  I haven't heard back from anyone on starting the Artist Relief Fund.  If anyone is interested in helping get this off the ground pm me.  We could really use some help from you web page designers.  We'll start out small,  then in Apr I'll pull my annuity and pump it up.

Sent you an email Pat..sorry it took me awhile.

Hi there,

I'm a basic web page designer, and would be happy to help out, Joel is a good man, and anyone who has anything bad to say about him should think twice.
Let me know what i can do. I'll paypal you what i can in the next few days.

Like I said...ANY help is something!  Just a couple of bucks can buy meds, or a loaf of bread, or a gallon of gas for my van.  Those 'couple of dollars' add up,too!

@ Everyone who has helped me to date--Your kindness and charity has kept me alive! I appreciate it more than I can tell or explain.  Bless you all, one and all! Thank you! 2009 might be my year.  Already I'm doing better than the Stock market or big three automotive companies! :laugh:

Joe,

Have you tried this?  At least for food.  You do have to pay a small amount but the food boxes are generous.  If you don't have a way to refrigerate they do have fruit boxes that will help.

https://www.angelfoodministries.com/

Patorak, I don't have much to offer right now, but I'd like to help out if I can. Can you send me some information about the project?

Thanks.

D.

If you havent yet , look up local food pantries or the local county welfare office. They can issue food stamps on a week by week basis and any little bit could help. If you cant drive the county office sometimes has volunteers or try church aid groups. There is aid out there but finding it can be a batle.

3-DArena, thank you for posting that link.
I checked it out for my daughter.
They have several locations within a mile of us and she can use the help. :)

Just as a FYI, Im in the middle of creating a web forum on my domain. Once I get it secure and configured, I'll have the link to give everyone that wants it. You can request it by Sitemail once it goes live

Joe,

My wife and I are praying for you.  Don't give up hope.  After working for years, we both went back to school to try for something better.  Money is tight right now, but we'll send you what we can.  We're both from a "developing country" as some like to call it and so I can say we're very used to corruption in business and government.  But, the amount of chicanery going on here and now, amazes even us.

We live close to West Virginia.  Our local church organizes, once a month, a job fair for anyone interested.  Web designers, artists, hairdressers, cooks, accountants,...just about anyone you can imagine shows up to these events to both help people like yourself in need or to look for employment themselves.  They also provide free groceries, hair cuts, counseling, and other services that are sorely needed to whoever comes.  I would add my voice to those saying, please check the local churches and see if there's anything like this in your area. 

Things WILL get better.  There are many people out there who STILL care.  The trick is finding them ;). 

I was off work for over 4 years on disability and your situation could very well have been mine if I hadn't returned to work when I did.

I sent you something via PayPal. It's not as much as I would have liked to send, but I had committed to send funds to 2 friends who are also having problems due to lay offs and illness.  I'll try and send some more in a couple of weeks.

You have some offers for places to stay in other States.  If you aren't able to drive, what about using some of the money people are sending to you to buy a bus ticket to one of the places where you have been offered shelter? A bus is cheaper than gas and you don't have to worry about the car breaking down and having to find funds to fix it.  You can even take stuff with you on the bus in the shipping compartments.  

The amazing generosity of you folks is making it REALLY hard to see today.  I guess I'm a real hard ass, because I hardly cry for any reason, but all this help made me weep.  I'm not sure why. From shame of needing help, or joy, or such raw love for someone you never met.  It's moved me to tears.

Thank you, one and all!  The stuff I got from all of you is saving my life and sanity.  For that, I'll always be grateful.  I got something about angelfoodministries from my Caseworker.

Some hopeful news: I have a shot at getting an apartment in the Vine Hill Towers, in Nashville. It's Section 8 housing (which means rent controlled, not crazy in the military. Jeez, why couldn't they call it something else?).  What I got here, on-line, means I now qualify for it!  WOOHOO!

I don't know if I'll get it....but I am hopeful!  Say a prayer, and knock on wood, and do any superstious things that might help me!  I might just have a good year after all!

More news as I can get to computers and write (and as news happens...duhr.). Vine Hill is good because they have an exercise room, laundry, and security all inside. It is for disabled and eldery (which I'm still a good fifteen years from!) and I talked with people ealier who work there. They seem a good, hard working, jolly lot I can joke with and we got along right well with.

They are working hard to get me in and I passed all the hoops and background checks with flying colors. Now I have to see if something happens.

I'll let you all know.

Joel - unfortunately I'm not in a position to send you any money, however I have an idea that might be able to get you a few bucks each month.  

I'll create some models for you, which will be sold at Vanishing Point under an account in your name. Every month you'd recive the money for those sales. If anyone else wants to help, they could also provide models as well to be sold under your name.

Apart from any unavoidable fees that we have no control over, like things such as Paypal, VP will **NOT be taking their vendor cut **for any models uploaded under Joel's name . So as you'd recive as much money as possible. 

Obviously you'd be responsible for declaring it on that WC-19 tax thingy that  Americans have to fill in, and any vendors chipping in models will have to complete the vendor agreement, and 3 promo piccys, but only to make sure all the legal stuff is sorted. Apart from that no one, including yourself will have to do anything else. VP will take care of the rest.    

Then once you've got back on your feet let us know and we'll give any moneys raised to another charity or artist. 

So if you're interested  - IM me your paypal email address.  It will take a week or 2 before I can make something but that gives other people a chance to chip in as well.
   
If anyone else wants to chip in = please IM me.

Done!

Interesting idea.  Of course, give my creative tide, I may want to put some input or such on them. Let me know what and where they are, and I may have ideas. I can never leave well enough alone I guess.  Especially if I have to pay taxes on them. :laugh:

Thanks, btw.  That opens up a new world for me in some ways.

I hope to hear GOOD news today about a place to live.
I got turned down AGAIN by Social Security, so I'm filing to get a hearing. This BS has been going on FOREVER!

I am so depressed this morning. Probably because I am so tired from being stressed out. I hope to have some GOOD news come Monday morning! Cross your fingers!

Good luck to you.

With the MLK holiday and the inarguration  going on it will be next week before I hear anything. I forgot about all the hullaballoo going on this week. I wish I had a TV to watch it on. Oh, well, I'll read about it in history books, I suppose. Man, my hands hurt! I hope I don't have frostbite. My feet feel fine, at least.
More later. I hope Wensday when everyone gets back to work.

Joel - it's not much I know - but some good news for a chnage. Your 1st model is nearly ready [just one more promo to do] for sale. Another vendor has offered a product as well.

Joel,

The good news is that you got in that fast to even apply for section 8. Up here, there's a waiting list about three to five years long.

I'll be praying that you get your section 8 certificate. It really is a good program for low icome and disabled people. Especially since once you get your certificate you can go anywhere with it so long as the landlord will accept the rent subsidy from them. Plus they really do (up here at least)look out for the tennants, by that I mean they'll go after a slum lord real quick like on your behalf.

The only drawback/pain though is they come in and inspect the house/apartment etc...once a year. For health and safety hazards. So always make sure there are batteries in the smoke detector. (They dinged me once for that, damn thing was always going off if I used the oven so I took the batteries out and forgot to put them back in when they came to inspect). :lol:

Quote - With the MLK holiday and the inarguration  going on it will be next week before I hear anything. I forgot about all the hullaballoo going on this week. I wish I had a TV to watch it on. Oh, well, I'll read about it in history books, I suppose. Man, my hands hurt! I hope I don't have frostbite. My feet feel fine, at least.
More later. I hope Wensday when everyone gets back to work.

Surely there are some homeless shelters there where you can stay for a night or two?!!

There were, but they have an air of hopelessness to them that eats up willpower like Godzilla eating twinkies. LOL  I stayed a night in a hospital with frostbite, though. That sucked. Damned 0Degree farenhiet weather.

I WILL get to move in next week, as soon as I can get some paper-work done.  Maybe Tuesday or Wensday. I just need to last until then and I can move my 2 end tables, two chairs, and two computers moved in. It's all I can lift. I almost died moving my recliner into the van. Must weigh 40 lbs. Damned, that makes me sad to say that. I used to wrestle around 100 lbs lots without raising a sweat. After two strokes, I AM lucky to lift myself up, much less anything else.

More news as I get access time on a PC.

I thought you were staying in the back of your place of employment Joe? When it's really cold like that, don't they open heat centers up down there?

Attached Link: http://www.campaigns.direct.gov.uk/firekills/

Also - great to hear you're getting a place - I'm really pleased for you.

Kinda unrelated - please please please NEVER take the battery out of a smoke alarm.
Talk to your local fire brigade and most of them will fit decent alarms for free and put them in a place where they won't go off.   

BTW - what are heat centers ?

I wish you were in this town.  

I live in Rochester, MN --- home of the Mayo Clinic.  If you are in need, they won't turn you away.  I recently went through cancer and with surgery the bill was about 46,000.  Through the Mayo foundation and other grants they reduced it by 40,000. 

There's so much community support here, that it breaks my heart to hear about people liek you not getting decent human needs met. 

If you ever feel strong enough to move here, there's many programs that help you get started. I mean really get started. there's one organization that bought a hotel just for homeless to get a good place to rest.  There's also Ability Building Center that works with disabled or otherwise challenged indiviuals to procure jobs within their abilities as well as other programs that assist with rehab. There's housing up the wazoo for assisted living. There's also a program that helps with first rent and deposit, food shelf, community clothesline, even beyond the state food stamps. Being a medical town of over 1,500 doctors, these programs are well funded and well taken care of.  

How do I know about all this? I've been there, on the streets, and found these things through trials. Never once did I go on welfare, but I did get enough assistance to make a difference. 

I also understand that larger metro areas may not have the support structure that our little city has. 

My heart is with you. 
Jade

I was staying there for a couple of days, in back of my boss's shop, but that didn't last.  There are so many homeless here, that they hold a lottery to see who gets a bunk, and who is shown the door. I been shown the door several times.  Once I traded my ticket to a young woman and her baby, so they'd be warm. I hope things change with a new president and all. Wish I could have seen the swearing in, but oh well. poor don't get see anything but boot-heels.

Joe, what state are you living in? Maybe I can get in touch with some contacts of mine if I knew where you are.
TS

Quote -
BTW - what are heat centers ?

mrsparky,
In some American metropolitan cities that have extreme winter condition (subfreezing temperature, etc.) they open up shelter with heat for people whose home lack heat as well as the homeless who do not want to go to the shelter. These centers are only short term response to the weather condition.

That is what heat center is. Hope this helps.

Thanks TS - thats a good idea - wish we had those here.

Joel - please check your IM's.

Hey turtle look at the situation closely and think on what YOU would do in that situation I know i wouldn't  worry about it that much and I'm sure that Joel is not driving all over the pace since he obviously can't afford much gas. So its not like he is driving all over the place just cruising down the road having fun in his van filled with only what he could fit in from his apartment which is all he owns in the world.

Think before you post people.

Im just a broke ass college student running off grants or I would send you something myself Joel. Stay safe man and good luck.

Some people can't help looking down their noses at others. His driving is minimal, and it's
not like he has much choice either. I agree with the above. Think before you post, and read
the WHOLE story.

Greywolf

A couple of posts in this thread were deleted by the posters request, but I do echo her sentiment.  Joel, if at all, you can get someone to drive for you, please do.  If not for the sake of others, for your own.  I lost 3 very important people in my life 11 years ago because the driver of the other car didn't want to let his wife drive after not taking his anti-seizure meds...he had a seizure, and hit them going 75mph.  He didn't fare much better after that, and I'm sure you can't afford the hospital stay right now. 
I hope for good for you, and that you will get help soon. I've been in your situation, a year ago, as a matter of fact.  I was evicted this time last year, and sold everything I could to make it to where I am, and I'm just now starting my life over again.  Luckily, I found help, and work that I could do, and I don't think that I could have done it without the help of my friends. 

 Living on disability is not all some apparently crack it up to be. Trust me.

Now I realize we all don't have the same experience's, but in my experience, once you do get your disability, after fighting with government pencil pushers who don't have the first clue as to what a headache is, much less a disabling medical condition.
 
Every so many years these same pencil pushers will  "review" your disability as they are doing mine now.

And if the pencil pushers in your state are anything like the one's here, they will try to cut your disability off. (Because then the state can keep that money for other things Which I hope President Obama will put a stop too.)

One of the things I get my disability for is a genetically inherited diseas that is a close cousin of parkinsons diseas. I, um shake, my hands, arms, fingers, neck, and head shake, and tremble all the time, and sometimes, I'll have involuntary hand/arm "twitches" that will cause me to throw or drop something if I'm holding something. Yep I can't even draw a straight line with a pencil. There is no cure, and no treatment, and as I age it will only continue to get worse. But like clockwork every few years, especially when the state has budget shortfalls, suddenly I'm cured, and I can go back to work now as an O.R. Tehcnologist, to hear the pencil pushers tell it. Now seriously, who in the hell in their right mind, would think a patient would let me come anywhere near them with a needle or scalple? And what surgeon would in their right mind, with medical malpractice being what it is, would hire me?  :roll: 

I live in Nashville, Tennessee,USA. Been out of contact for a couple days. Been in the ICU from my Diabetes being out of control from stress. Better now.

Joel - hope you're feeling better now.

Jenx - would you object if I posted a message in the Poser forum ? With a link to the product -advertsing the bits we're getting together for Joel.

DaSquid - there is a way you can help. If you can model you could make a few bits for Joel. Even creating a few texture sets for the bits we have so far might help encourage a few more sales.

Daidalos - we have that same cr*ppy system in the UK. Never been through it personally, but been with friends that have endured it. BTW -
Have you ever tried a low dose of beta blockers ?

I got a room at the Vine Hill Towers. I only have the two computers,two chairs, and 2.5 lamps (orig 3 but half of one got FUBARed in the move) and 15 little boxes.

No bed or internet, but it's cheap and warm. Laying on linoleum beats laying on frozen dirt or van seats.  My hands are killing me and are all purple and such.  Got a doctor's appointment on Monday to check how they're healing and such. I'm taking loads of anti-biotic to prevent gangrene in my hands.  I like counting to ten on my hands. I hope I still can in a week or so!

I think so. I can feel so much pain from my fingers, none are going to fall off or so. I'm still really naseous from the hypothermia, so I might spend all weekend on the PC or laying down next to the heater.  At least things are looking up.

More updates as they become available.

mrsparky - Let me ask admin, and see what they think. 

Quote - Joel - hope you're feeling better now.

Jenx - would you object if I posted a message in the Poser forum ? With a link to the product -advertsing the bits we're getting together for Joel.

DaSquid - there is a way you can help. If you can model you could make a few bits for Joel. Even creating a few texture sets for the bits we have so far might help encourage a few more sales.

Daidalos - we have that same cr*ppy system in the UK. Never been through it personally, but been with friends that have endured it. BTW -
Have you ever tried a low dose of beta blockers ?

Good idea. My modeling skills aren't what I would like them to be but I'll see what I can do.

By the way, the forum I spoke about earlier in this thread is up now..Still needs some tweaks here and there, but for the most part it is up. PM me or Daidalos for the link