Rain On Dust CLOSING

[rabid1st]

As you know by now my long term illness has left me disabled and unable to work. The insurance company I paid premiums to for years on the off chance I might one day be disabled is doing their best to weasel out of their side of the obligation. This has, as some of you know first hand and the rest of you can imagine, led me down the path of financial ruin. It is time now to close my website as even that minimum monthly payment is too much to sustain. I know that I never updated it, so it's not much of a loss to most of you. And all of the information has been saved elsewhere, so you can still access my writing if you would like...via LJ. Just comment if you want something.

This is not a cry for help. Believe me, because that cry may yet come. This is the decision I must make at this time to be a financially responsible person.

If you have been depending on Rain on Dust for your fiction links back to Disheveled or something, you might want to put tags in your LJ memories. You have until Boxing Day to save what you want to save. The same is true of my Geocities Account (for you Spuffy fans) though it could go at any minute. I have LJ funding until next year. Fingers and toes crossed my disability settlement will have arrived by that time.

Comments

[dualbunny.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth, I'd be happy to host your pages on my web space. ::hoping for good news soon::

[keswindhover.livejournal.com]

*pats your butt*

Justice will prevail. I have faith.

[binah1013.livejournal.com]

Sending positive vibes and wishes your way.

[thisficklemob.livejournal.com]

{{{hugs}}}

I was wondering why yours was the only Geocities site not to go poof back in October. And, as I posted at the time, I was saving all yours and Mary's fic from it. :)

[cordykitten]

*sends good wishes*
Good to have the stories in LJ; and even if you would have a free LJ it would still be there.
But a question for your Spuffy stories: I've found three (Facing The Mirrors, Ichnobate, Tango) on another site but that's all. Are they archived somewhere? Or could you do that (= here at LJ etc.)? Would be sad to loose them completely. :(

[joools.livejournal.com]

luck, petal. and may the bastards fry- AFTER they cut you a check.

[credilya.livejournal.com]

I don't know the details but as someone who similarly suffers debilitating illness you have any support I can give.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Smooches, Bunny! Thank you so much for the offer, but I am currently not producing much that needs a webpage. It really is a complete waste of money at the moment. LJ, at least, is less brain intensive. I can post in my sleep...and have. :grin:

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Your faith and my last dollar will by us both a tube of Smarties, I think. Though with the exchange rate what it is...perhaps not.

Thank you for all of her you hand holding, shoulder rubbing and butt patting. If nothing else I am warm all over now. :wink:

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Thanks! You are one of the people that inspires me when I am feeling sorry for myself. I keep remembering what a battle you had and how eventually things improved. I appreciate every vibe you send.

MMmmmm! Hugs!

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

I know. I sort of had your saving in my back pocket if I didn't get everything backed up on my own. I struggled for weeks with the saving because I would get tired after a few minutes on the task. I know there is probably some easy Mac way to back up webpages...but I was doing C&P and it took forever with the stop and start approach.

Thanks for being out there and listening to me moan and for all of your insight into these fatiguing conditions. Also...thanks for the hug.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

I am hoping to upload things to LJ eventually. And I never really archived much beyond Geocities. I wanted people to go to my site so I only sent things out to entice people over...short-sighted in retrospect I suppose. Now, I am too tired to do much of anything with the files. But I could just slap them up as is and hope they come out legible on LJ.

Anyway watch this space...and thanks for the good wishes.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Check first, absolutely. Thanks for the support, Joools!

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Leans into your hug.

[np-complete.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Thank you! We need to support one another. The big insurance people really strike me as crooks. It is hard for me to see them in any other light, because I paid them for so many years, never expecting to use their services...and then when, against all odds, I need it, it's not really a service but a scam.

Still, my new mantra is "Live life on life's terms." So, no matter how insane it is for them to deny me coverage on the flimsy excuse that I can do light work. They did and I now need to appeal.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

*snuggles into your hug*

Thank you!

[mrs_roy.livejournal.com]

If there is anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask. I also know the bother illness can cause! I would hate to see your fantastic fic gone. :)

[princessblue791.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry Rae. I hope and pray for the best for you. Regardless of what happens, know that you have friends who love you and are willing to listen. If you would like, I will message you with my cell number in case you need to talk. I wish for you the best.
Whatever you do, don't give up writing. You have a gift and maybe you could put it all on paper and publish it so people all over can hear your voice.

[princessblue791.livejournal.com]

HEY WAIT A MINUTE! I have access to big news corporations. I can get you a number for ABC news. I personally only do local news for a small area of Texas. Still...I know people.

[gobi-rex.livejournal.com]

[hugging you gently] Hang in there, Rae.

[crossing fingers and toes for you]

[kojote.livejournal.com]

Rae -

I am so sorry to hear that things are going so badly for you. Though I tend to be a lurker, I have really enjoyed reading your stories and your thoughts about the direction that DW is going.

I think princessblue791 had a brilliant idea with reaching out to your local news stations. It is a bit shooting for the moon, but Keith Olbermann on MSNBC has been doing a lot on health insurance reform recently, and potentially you could try getting him interested in insurers reneging in your case. The e-mail address for his program is countdown@msnbc.com

Also, I saw that your user info says that you are in Florida. Based on that, I have a few other suggestions on whom you might want to contact.

You might try contacting your Congressman or one of your Senators. (Bill Nelson has criticised the insurance companies over some of their other practices. Possibly his office might be able/willing to be helpful in intervening vis-a-vis the insurance company or they might be able to help you find out if you can qualify for Disability Insurance. DI is part of Social Security, but you may be able to access support from it. You can find information on DI at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10029.html#part2 )

Your local state assemblyman or senator's office may be able to help you find out if you qualify for any state-administered low-income assistance.

You also might try contacting the Florida Insurance Commissioner's Office to see if they can help you. (The Market Investigations branch conducts investigations of insurers regarding business practices and patterns of alleged violations of the Florida Insurance Code. Their number is (850)413-3155.) At the least, if you mention to your insurance company that you are in contact with the Insurance Commissioner's Office -- especially if the Insurance Commissioner's Office gives -- you a case number, the insurance company might be a little less likely to give you the runaround.

Finally, you might look for a pro bono lawyer (if you don't have any friends in the industry). There are websites like http://www.floridalawhelp.org/ that might be able to help you find assistance.

If the Florida information is inaccurate, then look for your state's equivalent people/government offices.

All of my best.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Lots of very good advice. Thank you so much for your concern and information. I will consider all of those options and see what comes. Meanwhile, hugs for you and yours this holiday season.

Oh, and yes, Keith is a bulldog on these issues. And rightly so, I am definitely not the first person to be screwed over like this and it is beyond insane that they can just claim you are able to work after you've fought tooth and nail for 2 years to try to keep going and failed.

Thanks Gobi

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

And hey, how have you been? I used to be able to check my friend's list more...but I've been so out of it...only a serious Doctor Who rant brings me out of my stupor. :grin:

Thanks again. Happy Holidays, too. And be careful walking on those crossed-toes.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

Your hug is very comforting. Thank you. I sincerely wish you extra good fortune in return for your support.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Mrs. Roy! It means the world to me to have your kind words of support. And I do have your PM flagged in my inbox so that when I have a moment of clearheadedness I can try to answer your question. As you know, clearheadedness can sometimes be a problem with illness and mine is particularly prone to fuzzy thinking.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Hey! I have friends in high places. That is encouraging. But I'm not sure I should take this to the court of public opinion just, yet. Though I definitely think we need proper health care in this country. I have a lawyer on the case and I'm sure he will be advising me about my next steps. But nothing works so well as the kind wishes of my friends too keep my spirits up.

[credilya.livejournal.com]

I've not had to fight them quite as hard but I did have a month's worth of discourse with a phone jockey at the insurance company telling me I didn't need a rare and not exactly cheap course of treatment. Funny thing is if you google it, the first thing that comes up is my diagnosis. Go figure.

Not only do they not have an MD they can't even google or read!

(If you ever want to health!rant I'm always available.)

[astitchintime-9.livejournal.com]

I think your fic is brilliant, and hope that you will keep it online somewhere. The world needs to be able to find and read it ...and I do, too! ;)

I do understand that at present you need to curtail distractions and simply your obligations in order to maximize your use of the resources needed to sustain yourself. I wish you success in your efforts, both daily and longer term.

Please know that I am another of your well-wishers sending you a shoulder rub and a hug!

[susanb03.livejournal.com]

How sad but understandable. Praying for you!

[susanb03.livejournal.com]

My aunt was in a car wreck many years ago....ALMOST lost her feet. But because she TRIED to go back to work...now she HAS TO. No one will even talk to her :(... it's a scam

Re: MMmmmm! Hugs!

[thisficklemob.livejournal.com]

No problem, sweetie. And, instead of c&p-ing the text, I just saved whole pages in web archive format using keystrokes. So if you do need anything, let me know.

I hope your insurance company coughs up soon.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Well, it is here. Not the Buffy stuff but the other stuff. I want to fix the Buffy stuff, first. But I might have to admit defeat on that...because editing takes a clear head and I don't have that these days. Still, the work could go up, perhaps, when I have a little more energy.

And please know that I appreciate all of you and your loving support. Thanks.

Thank you for your prayers

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Yes! Insurance companies rule. I wish we had some say in this but we don't.

Re: Thank you for your prayers

[susanb03.livejournal.com]

It's kind of funny (strange)that I sent my email off to you BEFORE I checked your website!

[fishsanwitt]

Sending good thoughts and *positive* vibes that things work out.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Fishy! I appreciate all of the good vibes I can get.

Rae

[kojote.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[elinora.livejournal.com]

Grrr. Evil Insurance Company :( I hope things work out for you. I've always loved reading your Buffy fiction, so I hope it is still accessible.

Anyway, all good wishes for the Holidays, and I will command the Internet Insurance Elves to intercede and send a nice big check your way.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

I will command the Internet Insurance Elves to intercede and send a nice big check your way.

I didn't know you had this power, Elinora! I should have been schmoozing up to you all along. :wink:

Seriously, thanks for the good wishes. Happy Holidays!