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Search Terms: mental AND health AND parity, House or Senate or Joint

Document 41 of 103.

March 23, 2000, Thursday

SECTION: PREPARED TESTIMONY

LENGTH: 2303 words

HEADLINE: PREPARED TESTIMONY OF DAVID GALLAGHER CONSULTANT LIFE IN TIME CONSULTATION SERVICES, INC.

BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SECURITY

SUBJECT - WORK INCENTIVES FOR BLIND AND DISABLED SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARIES

BODY:
Thank you for the opportunity to allow me to share my story. This testimony is not just about me, but it's about many people who are consumers of mental health services. I started out my journey with mental health when I was diagnosed as having manic-depression in February 1978. I have been hospitalized over twenty times since that time. My last hospitalization was in 1995. I spent over 13 months in Clinton Valley Center, a state hospital in Michigan. I was put in Clinton Valley when my Blue Cross/Blue Shield ran out. My last hospitalization was due to the fact that I had a blood clot in my leg and I had to have a DVT. Also, I had neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which caused my liver functions to fail and my kidneys to go toxic. I was pronounced dead twice. I am fortunate to be alive. I have a family history of mental illness. My parents dealt with the suicide of my maternal grandfather when I was an infant. They were raised with a strong work ethic, they were a byproduct of an agrarian agricultural life style and then thrust into an industrial revolution. 'My father raised us as practicing Roman Catholics. My parents' straggle to give their three boys the best material things in life robbed them of their serenity and ultimately produced a family of overachievers. Throughout their heartache and pain they have tried to understand and cope to the best of their ability. And I love them for that.

By the time I graduated from high school, I was searching and seeking hope. My life had no plan. I wanted to marry my first love, but I was being prompted to "go to college and make something of myself." So off I went to Michigan State University with absolutely no idea what the college experience was all about. I had a three-hour orientation, and I was left to figure out the rest. Being alone with complete freedom, sometimes one makes bad choices. At the end of the year I was on social probation, academic probation, and was asked to leave the University. I left Michigan State University with a 1.9 grade point average.

That summer I worked for Ford Motor Company, a lifestyle I did not enjoy, so I enrolled in Eastern Michigan University. Again, I had a three-hour orientation and was off to school. I knew that I liked money so I thought I'd take business administration. I joined a social fraternity and soon I was active in everything. I was hypermanic, enjoying the attention, the prestige. I was out of balance. By the end of 1977 1 was like a runaway locomotive. My grade point average at Eastern dropped to a 2.39. My need to be important and accepted by others drove a wedge between my girlfriend. Other people close to me were fearful of me.

There were many precipitating psychosocial stressors leading to my first hospitalization, in February 1978. I lost my part-time job, my funding sources dried up, my finals went poorly, and my parents decided that this would be an opportune time to practice tough love, which is a good concept when alternate supports are in place. I went to unemployment, I was turned down. I went to social services, I was turned down. I was physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually bankrupt. And, in psychosis, I collapsed emotionally.

From 1978 to 1980, I worked part-time at Kroger's and then I worked in the field of collections at a bank. I struggled to get back to school. I was fortunate that in 1980, Vocational Rehabilitations offered to sponsor me to go back to school if I could complete two semesters at Schoolcraft Community College, then they would re-evaluate the possibility of me finishing up my Bachelor's in Business Administration Degree. I was doing well; I had a good support system. I felt so good that I decided, against medical advice, that I did not need my Lithium or other neurolepties. Within three months of discontinuation of my medication, I was hospitalized in a state institution for one of my longest periods ever. The years 1980 through 1985 involved a rapid succession of hospitalizations. I was put on Social Security Disability for approximately three years. I worked part-time at a Clark Gas station. When I felt strong enough, I worked in a flower delivery business full-time. Then Social Security Disability was discontinued.

In 1985 I started to play guitar at a mission in Detroit. Working with individuals who were homeless, I decided to be an advocate by becoming a social worker. The people I met that year had touched my heart. I formulated a plan, and started the process of getting admitted to Wayne State University School of Social Work. I filed for financial aid and applied for guaranteed student loans. In my personal statement to Wayne State's University School of Social Work, I stated the reason for my desire to become a social worker was that I am a consumer and I wanted to help other consumers. I had two entrance interviews for admission to the Bachelor of Social Work program. I felt discriminated against in the verbal questions asked of me. I really wanted to be a social worker, so I accepted the situation and the decision made. I was to go through the College of Life Long Learning process of admission, and take the Introduction to Social Work class as well as getting a recommendation from the professor. I took the class and received a 4.0 grade point average and the instructor sponsored my entrance into the program.

The university experience can be frustrating to the average person, let alone to a person who is perceived as different. I found in my personal situation that when I was open about my emotional recovery, many persons in academia were guarded, apprehensive, and at times obtrusive when it came to evaluating my ability to function as a student. It may be noted that during 1985 to 1990, when I attended Wayne State University, I was completely medically stabilized; I was not hospitalized during that period. I did find some supportive faculty at Wayne. One professor taught me the prevention model of social work. His teachings were in part responsible for the substance abuse prevention program I later designed and implemented at William Dickerson Detention Facility through People's Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit.

I graduated from Wayne State University in 1989 with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, and a grade point average of 3.18. The next year in the advanced standing program was like being in boot camp. I did not work, I lived off guaranteed student loans. I was totally immersed in social work, day in and day out. I knew that a failure at this level would devastate me.

Graduating from the Master's Program in 1990 was one of the highlights of my life. I graduated with a 3.54 grade point average. I had a new girlfriend. My family showed complete acceptance for the first time in my life. I was interviewing all around the state for jobs. I was doing consultant work. Once again, I tried being captain of my own ship, but I lacked humility. I concealed my feelings from my psychiatrist, because I truly enjoyed having the illusion of complete control.

I was hired as coordinator of an assertive community treatment team at a community mental health agency. They were looking for someone who had control capabilities. In the interview process, I told the director I was I being treated for manic-depressive disorder when he asked me, "Is there anything you want to share about your personal life?" He hired me anyway. Life was great; I had a good job, a company car, good benefits. Boom, I started not sleeping! I did not tell my doctor. Eight business days after starting to work, I totaled out the company car. I broke my collarbone and was in full-blown mania.

While I was in the psychiatric hospital, I received notice that I was fired. After recovering from the broken collarbone and thirty days in the hospital, I was hired by another community mental health agency. The clinical supervisor was truly happy to have me on staff because of my background at Sinai, which was also her orientation towards therapy.

Soon after being hired, I confided in one of my coworkers that I was being treated for a bi-polar condition. It got back to my clinical supervisor. She called me into her office and told me that she had heard that I was a consumer of mental health and asked me if it was true. I said yes. She told me that due to the nature of my illness, it would be important that all the staff in our department know. She asked me to announce this at the next staff meeting. I told her no problem. So at the next staff meeting, I explained the nature of my illness to approximately ten people, all professionals. Soon there were minors that I was not doing my job. I was called into the clinical supervisor's office and told that someone had been listening in and documenting my sessions. I was never late for work, I never took time off from work, all my paperwork was up to date. Six weeks after being hired, I was fired without cause.

I was hospitalized for depression. When I got out of the hospital, I was broke, depressed and socially isolated. No one wanted to hire me, so I went to the Clark gas station, handed the manager my resume, told him that I could learn his computer cash register system and he hired me that day. It was a very humbling experience, but it paid some of the bills, brought up my self-esteem and got me out of the apartment. I sent out over 200 resumes. Finally, I was hired part-time contractually at a private practice doing individual and family counseling. I continued to work at the Clark gas station. With both jobs, I was able to pay the rent, but I was having a difficult time paying my health insurance and medical bills. This continued for 8 months.

I was hired at People's Community Services of metropolitan Detroit in 1991, to be a social group worker. Soon after, I became the supervisor for the Hamtramck programs. I was able to develop a social adjustment group at the consumer-run Northeast Drop-In Organization Center (NEDO). It was my pride and joy. Using the concepts of self-help, affirmation and empowerment from NEDO, I then developed the program and directed it at the detention facility.

When I was taken off social security benefits after being on disability for three years it was because they said it was because I gainfully employed. At the time I making just $560 a month as a direct care staff person. My main need was insurance benefits. I was a melarill and lithium patient for 20 years. Fortunately, the community mental health system was able to help me with my benefits.

Due to the fact that I am currently paying back social security benefits and the cost of medication, I have to continue to be on social security disability. I am currently paying back social security benefits of $100 a month to SSA because they said I was overpaid back when I was making $560 a month. I reported my earnings so I don't understand why I have an overpayment, but Social Security says I do.

The costs faced by consumers who want to work are enormous. Medications make it possible for me to work, but Medicare doesn't pay for them. So I have to pay for them. The cost of my current medication is as follows: Closeral is $800.00 a month, Depokote is $150.00 a month, Cogentinc is $49.00 a month. My hypertension medication is $49.00 a month. My blood is drawn twice a month, I see a Psychiatrist twice a month, a case manager every three months and a Medical Doctor every three months.

I have chronic renal failure, chronic bronchitis, and I have had lymph nodes removed from my larynx twice. I have a history of a seizure disorder. I have had two mini-strokes. I am in need of extensive dental work. I have glaucoma that affects my night vision.I currently have Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield supplemental insurances. Without which I could not function. I do want to work but like many consumers who also want to work, we are unable to secure gainful employment above the poverty level with insurance benefits. Another factor is because of our pre-existing conditions most insurance providers will not extend us coverage. Consequentially, due to the lack of parity, we are forced into continual dependency on Medicare rolls.

My goal one day is to be an advocate for all consumers of mental health services. I no longer look at my illness as a debilitating situation, but rather a medical condition. It has become the motivation and catalyst for my desire to help others to understand themselves. I have found that by helping others, I help myself.

Many understanding and compassionate people have helped and inspired me along the way. Many medical doctors and the mental health professionals have contributed to the stabilization of my condition. These professionals went beyond the call of duty and I am truly grateful to them for their compassion to myself and others. My brother, Greg, has dedicated the last twenty years to being a mental health professional. He has reached countless thousands, directly and indirectly. His insight into the human psyche as well as his understanding of the need for advocacy has influenced the availability of least restrictive environments for consumers of mental health services. His faith in me gave me hope when I lacked all faith in myself I love him for that; I love him for his strength and his courage. My younger brother, Leonard has also been an encouragement to me. His past role as a consumer advocate combined with his doctoral training in neuropsychology has given him a unique perspective on recovery issues. I love him and I am encouraged to see him work through the trials and tribulations of his own life. Above everyone else, I would like to thank God, who has allowed me choices in life; He does not make junk. I have learned that He loves us all.

END

LOAD-DATE: March 24, 2000

Document 41 of 103.


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