WiseWords
03-08-2004, 07:10 AM
SHORT VERSION:
I am being discriminated against because
I had a hypoglycemic episode in which I needed help
from paramedics.
I was passed out.
The room was a mess because I knocked things over and
scattered papers all over the floor while stumbling around,
before the paramedics were called.
After treatment at a hospital emergency room,
I did what all diabetics do after such an extreme low BG;
I returned home to continue my life.
The next afternoon, the city fire inspector showed up,
stating that he received a call from the paramedics that
the room was unsafe and a fire hazard. He wanted to inspect.
This was a direct result of my hypoglycemic episode, and
NOT a normal state of the room.
His only reason for appearing was because of the request
for help which brought the paramedics into my room,
directly & specifically because of my diabetes.
If this is not discrimination, I don't know what is.
I am not sure how to resolve this as my funds for
legal help are very limited.
Any suggestions?
--------------------------
DETAILED VERSION:
I do not know how to resolve this problem,
but I am open for suggestions that will preserve my rights.
As I posted in another thread, I had a severe hypoglycemic event
that required being taken to the hospital emergency room for
treatment. That is a normal procedure for someone who is
passed out from a low BG, and can not be brought around.
When the paramedics arrived, from what I have been told,
I was passed out on the floor of my room, with a small size
metal typing table, (used for my mouse & keyboard), on its
side, over my legs, the mouse cord wrapped around my arm,
and a nine inch TV on my chest. (I believe the TV had been
lifted off of my chest before they got there, but it was
on its side on the floor, next to me, because the cord was
tangled in the legs of the toppled table. In addition to that,
I am a writer/artist, and have an assortment of projects
all over the place, with lots of papers, notes, works in
progress, research materials, books, magazines,
video & film/computer projects---In short, a lot of items that
are a part of my environment and a part of my life.
Most of the printed materials or papers & notes were among
items spread out over an "L" shaped couch. There were also
several boxes with newspapers or magazines. They are not always
a part of the room, but they were there on this particular day.
Unfortunately, I had knocked a lot of items all over the place.
I can only surmise what occurred in this instance, but it seems
likely that because I was lying down, my BG got far too low
while I was asleep, and when I finally got up, I fell over,
or knocked over a table, TV, and many papers. I may have even
tried to pick up some spilled papers, and dropped them
again, or knocked over additional ones.
When the paramedics arrived, I was on the floor, which was
covered with papers, magazines, and other reading material,
plus the other items I mentioned. It looked like a hurricane
had been through the room. I know this because I saw it when
I got back home.
OK, my fault. I had a big mess to clean up. That's life.
I did not want to toss everything into the trash.
I needed to sort through the items to save the important
papers and notes.
So, when I got back from the hospital, I had my work cut out
for me. The room I use is a den/study that has one wall of
built-in book shelves for computer & video/audio equipment,
and, of course books. There is also an L-shaped couch, and
a bed, as it serves as my primary space, and includes a
separate entrance to the outside. Naturally, I have access to
the rest of the house, as well. Because of my background in
film & television work, I have more than an average amount of
monitors, VCR's, & other electronic equipment in the room,
all connected by heavy-duty extension outlets with built-in
1500 watt circut-breakers. The surge protector for the computer
has all the computer paraphernalia plugged into it,
which it is designed to handle. The computer, monitor, and
a lamp with a 100 watt light bulb are far less than the maximum
1500 watts from the circut-breaker on the outlet,
or the 1800 watts on standard fused or breaker protected
American household wiring, and perfectly safe.
It is not an overly large room, and the amount of available
floor space was covered with papers and items that had been
knocked over by me.
So, I had a daunting task of clean-up ahead of me.
What happens the very next day, Monday afternoon?
The city fire safety inspector shows up, with a community
co-ordinator flunkie, as a witness, to tell me that
the paramedics said there was an unsafe condition in the
room, which constituted a fire hazard!
They wanted to inspect the interior of the room/house.
My city does not have interior inspections unless one is
applying for a grant or selling a house, but if any city
inspectors are voluntarily let into the house, they can
inspect the whole **** thing. The house is 64 years old,
and if one is looking for flaws on any house over
50 years old, they can find something. I don't need an
repair list of pseudo-flaws for cracked plaster or old paint, etc.
The house is basically sound.
The issue, however, is why they showed up with a request,
at this point, for an interior inspection?
The paramedics were called because there was a specific
medical problem that needed immediate attention.
The disarray in the room was a direct result of that medical
problem. The paramedics were called for help because there
was a need for help over the result of this very issue.
This, IMO, is a worst-case instance of discrimination
because of a hypoglycemic episode from my diabetes.
They also complained about the electrical connections,
calling them unsafe. Guess the paramedics are also subbing
as electrical inspectors. The connections have been safe for
the past eight years, and meet the standards as described above.
Needless to say, I didn't let them in, but the end result
will be that they can get a warrant to force us to let them enter.
Their SOLE reason for wanting to see the room, (which will
mean the entire house), is because of the report from the
paramedics. This makes it a DIRECT RESULT of my diabetes,
for a specific and unique medical condition at that time.
People with diabetes are protected by the Americans with
Disabilities Act from discrimination, but that applies mostly
to discrimination in the workplace, although diabetics were
given the right to carry medical & testing supplies, plus
candy or other carb-source-items to concerts, where such
actions were previously prevented.
There might be a possibility under the A.D.A.,
but I don't know who to contact with a sympathetic ear.
The Federal Government does not necessarily want to be
involved in a local Housing Court, which is where this will
be headed. And, I might add that Housing Court is the prime
example of a Kangaroo Court in America.
Of course, if they would sue the city in a Federal Court,
that would be ideal, but this issue is not the primary point of the A.D.A.
I contacted the American Diabetes ***'n. and
a local diabetes group.
Both offered a sympathetic ear, but no real help.
The ADA sent a form to fill out, with discrimination info, but
it is about work related diabetes discrimination.
The logical viewpoint might be to say clean up the mess and
let them in. Well, I have already been through that!
Tried that approach four years ago. At that time, I just needed
some IV glucose which they gave me in the house.
But, my Mother had been tricked by the housing inspectors
into letting them into the house, and they were complaining
that I had too many processions. I kid you not!
I had put up extra shelves in the dining-room, for books,
and they said it was a fire hazard. When I asked what
books I was not allowed to have, they changed it to
too much stuff & clutter. They even said if I needed the
paramedics, they would not be able to enter the rooms,
which was nonsense. As a result of that, when the paramedics
did show up and gave me the IV glucose, I told them, "I guess
the housing inspector was wrong. You were able to enter the
house and treat me." I shouldn't have taunted them, but I
couldn't resist. They reported us to the housing inspector,
and that started one of the most emotionally torturous episodes
I have ever been through. If you have never had anyone invade
the privacy of your home and sanctuary, and try to tell you
what they think you are allowed to have, and where to put it,
then you have no idea what that experience is like,
which is the case for most people. This is not some kind of a
nut-house with every empty can of food I ever ate from the
last ten years, or 87 cats with no liter pans, or even with
liter pans. It is a perfectly normal house.
The end result of that last time was that I made a video tape
of my elderly Mom walking through the house, to show that
there was plenty of room without any problems.
Now, they are trying to start all over, again.
I didn't cry discrimination last time. I tried to co-operate.
It didn't work.
This is directly related to my diabetes.
It is the sole reason for the issue.
It is wrong. It is discrimination.
I do not know if I can get anyone to listen, and then,
act on my behalf.
I'll certainly have to find a way to express the whole idea
with less words. But, it seems when I leave out some info,
someone asks about it.
Any suggestions on how to solve this problem of
diabetes related discrimination?
--------------------------------------------------
I am being discriminated against because
I had a hypoglycemic episode in which I needed help
from paramedics.
I was passed out.
The room was a mess because I knocked things over and
scattered papers all over the floor while stumbling around,
before the paramedics were called.
After treatment at a hospital emergency room,
I did what all diabetics do after such an extreme low BG;
I returned home to continue my life.
The next afternoon, the city fire inspector showed up,
stating that he received a call from the paramedics that
the room was unsafe and a fire hazard. He wanted to inspect.
This was a direct result of my hypoglycemic episode, and
NOT a normal state of the room.
His only reason for appearing was because of the request
for help which brought the paramedics into my room,
directly & specifically because of my diabetes.
If this is not discrimination, I don't know what is.
I am not sure how to resolve this as my funds for
legal help are very limited.
Any suggestions?
--------------------------
DETAILED VERSION:
I do not know how to resolve this problem,
but I am open for suggestions that will preserve my rights.
As I posted in another thread, I had a severe hypoglycemic event
that required being taken to the hospital emergency room for
treatment. That is a normal procedure for someone who is
passed out from a low BG, and can not be brought around.
When the paramedics arrived, from what I have been told,
I was passed out on the floor of my room, with a small size
metal typing table, (used for my mouse & keyboard), on its
side, over my legs, the mouse cord wrapped around my arm,
and a nine inch TV on my chest. (I believe the TV had been
lifted off of my chest before they got there, but it was
on its side on the floor, next to me, because the cord was
tangled in the legs of the toppled table. In addition to that,
I am a writer/artist, and have an assortment of projects
all over the place, with lots of papers, notes, works in
progress, research materials, books, magazines,
video & film/computer projects---In short, a lot of items that
are a part of my environment and a part of my life.
Most of the printed materials or papers & notes were among
items spread out over an "L" shaped couch. There were also
several boxes with newspapers or magazines. They are not always
a part of the room, but they were there on this particular day.
Unfortunately, I had knocked a lot of items all over the place.
I can only surmise what occurred in this instance, but it seems
likely that because I was lying down, my BG got far too low
while I was asleep, and when I finally got up, I fell over,
or knocked over a table, TV, and many papers. I may have even
tried to pick up some spilled papers, and dropped them
again, or knocked over additional ones.
When the paramedics arrived, I was on the floor, which was
covered with papers, magazines, and other reading material,
plus the other items I mentioned. It looked like a hurricane
had been through the room. I know this because I saw it when
I got back home.
OK, my fault. I had a big mess to clean up. That's life.
I did not want to toss everything into the trash.
I needed to sort through the items to save the important
papers and notes.
So, when I got back from the hospital, I had my work cut out
for me. The room I use is a den/study that has one wall of
built-in book shelves for computer & video/audio equipment,
and, of course books. There is also an L-shaped couch, and
a bed, as it serves as my primary space, and includes a
separate entrance to the outside. Naturally, I have access to
the rest of the house, as well. Because of my background in
film & television work, I have more than an average amount of
monitors, VCR's, & other electronic equipment in the room,
all connected by heavy-duty extension outlets with built-in
1500 watt circut-breakers. The surge protector for the computer
has all the computer paraphernalia plugged into it,
which it is designed to handle. The computer, monitor, and
a lamp with a 100 watt light bulb are far less than the maximum
1500 watts from the circut-breaker on the outlet,
or the 1800 watts on standard fused or breaker protected
American household wiring, and perfectly safe.
It is not an overly large room, and the amount of available
floor space was covered with papers and items that had been
knocked over by me.
So, I had a daunting task of clean-up ahead of me.
What happens the very next day, Monday afternoon?
The city fire safety inspector shows up, with a community
co-ordinator flunkie, as a witness, to tell me that
the paramedics said there was an unsafe condition in the
room, which constituted a fire hazard!
They wanted to inspect the interior of the room/house.
My city does not have interior inspections unless one is
applying for a grant or selling a house, but if any city
inspectors are voluntarily let into the house, they can
inspect the whole **** thing. The house is 64 years old,
and if one is looking for flaws on any house over
50 years old, they can find something. I don't need an
repair list of pseudo-flaws for cracked plaster or old paint, etc.
The house is basically sound.
The issue, however, is why they showed up with a request,
at this point, for an interior inspection?
The paramedics were called because there was a specific
medical problem that needed immediate attention.
The disarray in the room was a direct result of that medical
problem. The paramedics were called for help because there
was a need for help over the result of this very issue.
This, IMO, is a worst-case instance of discrimination
because of a hypoglycemic episode from my diabetes.
They also complained about the electrical connections,
calling them unsafe. Guess the paramedics are also subbing
as electrical inspectors. The connections have been safe for
the past eight years, and meet the standards as described above.
Needless to say, I didn't let them in, but the end result
will be that they can get a warrant to force us to let them enter.
Their SOLE reason for wanting to see the room, (which will
mean the entire house), is because of the report from the
paramedics. This makes it a DIRECT RESULT of my diabetes,
for a specific and unique medical condition at that time.
People with diabetes are protected by the Americans with
Disabilities Act from discrimination, but that applies mostly
to discrimination in the workplace, although diabetics were
given the right to carry medical & testing supplies, plus
candy or other carb-source-items to concerts, where such
actions were previously prevented.
There might be a possibility under the A.D.A.,
but I don't know who to contact with a sympathetic ear.
The Federal Government does not necessarily want to be
involved in a local Housing Court, which is where this will
be headed. And, I might add that Housing Court is the prime
example of a Kangaroo Court in America.
Of course, if they would sue the city in a Federal Court,
that would be ideal, but this issue is not the primary point of the A.D.A.
I contacted the American Diabetes ***'n. and
a local diabetes group.
Both offered a sympathetic ear, but no real help.
The ADA sent a form to fill out, with discrimination info, but
it is about work related diabetes discrimination.
The logical viewpoint might be to say clean up the mess and
let them in. Well, I have already been through that!
Tried that approach four years ago. At that time, I just needed
some IV glucose which they gave me in the house.
But, my Mother had been tricked by the housing inspectors
into letting them into the house, and they were complaining
that I had too many processions. I kid you not!
I had put up extra shelves in the dining-room, for books,
and they said it was a fire hazard. When I asked what
books I was not allowed to have, they changed it to
too much stuff & clutter. They even said if I needed the
paramedics, they would not be able to enter the rooms,
which was nonsense. As a result of that, when the paramedics
did show up and gave me the IV glucose, I told them, "I guess
the housing inspector was wrong. You were able to enter the
house and treat me." I shouldn't have taunted them, but I
couldn't resist. They reported us to the housing inspector,
and that started one of the most emotionally torturous episodes
I have ever been through. If you have never had anyone invade
the privacy of your home and sanctuary, and try to tell you
what they think you are allowed to have, and where to put it,
then you have no idea what that experience is like,
which is the case for most people. This is not some kind of a
nut-house with every empty can of food I ever ate from the
last ten years, or 87 cats with no liter pans, or even with
liter pans. It is a perfectly normal house.
The end result of that last time was that I made a video tape
of my elderly Mom walking through the house, to show that
there was plenty of room without any problems.
Now, they are trying to start all over, again.
I didn't cry discrimination last time. I tried to co-operate.
It didn't work.
This is directly related to my diabetes.
It is the sole reason for the issue.
It is wrong. It is discrimination.
I do not know if I can get anyone to listen, and then,
act on my behalf.
I'll certainly have to find a way to express the whole idea
with less words. But, it seems when I leave out some info,
someone asks about it.
Any suggestions on how to solve this problem of
diabetes related discrimination?
--------------------------------------------------