VICTORY!!!

This is one of those moments where you actually take the time to pat yourself on the back...and not be ashamed to admit it! :) I am sooo proud and excited!

But the magnitude of it also is truly overwhelming...because it's a double edged sword.

I have been working for many months with local agencies to find a source of financial aid to help with Maxwell's medical expenses. I can see where many parents either decide not to pursue other options or simply give up along the way. It has been an exhausting, long process...but it worked!

First we had to do a lot of research to find the appropriate source. Then the tricky part was to get Max qualified. Eeks! We had a lot of meetings, consultations, and paperwork to prove his disabilities and extreme medical fragility (never ever fun to do), and they said now it depends on the government. "Let's wait and see." I called them just about every day and finally we got the good news.

MAXWELL HAS BEEN APPROVED! He will receive a "medical coupon" and it is not dependent upon my income. This was the very difficult point. You can qualify for a coupon if your income is fairly low, however if you are above that limit...you are on your own. (And I agree with that because I understand and support that the government cannot be all things to all people.)

The exception to the income requirement is if your child is extremely medically fragile (as one person stated "one of the sickest of the sickest"). You can then apply for a medical waiver. Most people don't know about the waiver, because few and far between children actually receive it. Like literally...VERY few and far between. It's just crazy that Max was approved!

So obviously I am absolutely thrilled that our hard work has paid off and Max will be receiving this coupon. But as I said earlier, it truly is a double edged sword victory. You are delighted to receive this financial support, HOWEVER it is also overwhelming to think that your child is that sick to qualify for such a high level, extremely limited program. I actually had difficulty breathing the first few days when I found out...it just was shocking. I only know of ONE other child in this entire region that has this waiver. I talked with the mom the other day and she said it gives you the goosebumps, doesn't it? In a bad and good way...yes.

Congratulations Mighty Max!!!