so here is the deal ......like everyone else i am paying a ton for gas a month.... 570.00 this month i drive 80 miles to dialysis each way 3 times a week ....my girlfriend drive the same 5 days a week.....when the price hits 4.00 i wont be able to eat and goto dialysis...does anyone have any ideas on what to do......i cant get a ride with one of thoses companys because i get to much from disability ....so i am really lost any help would be great
thanks
There's no clinic closer to you? What about medical transport, have you asked your social worker about this? Can you contact your local church and see if they have any short term emergency aide?
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This is from mainegov-images.informe.org/mdot/.../bopplans/mainedotregion7a.pdf
Western Maine Transportation Services (WMTS) is a private, nonprofit corporation
designated by MDOT as a regional transit corporation as authorized and defined by Chapter
163 of Title 30-A, Maine Revised Statutes. WMTS' current and only business since the agency
was founded in 1976 is public transportation. WMTS provides public transportation services
primarily to the residents of Oxford, Franklin, and Androscoggin Counties, but its charter has
been changed so that it is authorized to serve the State of Maine. WMTS' primary mission is to
provide non-emergency services to the low-income, elderly, disabled, and general population
of its service area. This is accomplished by providing semi-fixed route and fixed route service
throughout the region, charters, a demand-response bus service available to all rural and urban
areas, and a tri-county regional volunteer program where volunteers are reimbursed to use their
own vehicles to provide transportation to those who cannot access the bus system.
WMTS provides paratransit service (door-to-door with 24 hour notice required) to
approximately 66 municipalities and some unorganized areas, utilizing 36 vehicles and about
75 volunteers and an equal number of Friends and Families drivers. Major destination points
are Rumford/Mexico, Jay/Livermore Falls, Farmington/Wilton, Norway/South Paris/Bethel and
the Lewiston/Auburn area. Many rides originate in the smaller outlying communities and
converge into one of these central business districts. Scheduled dialysis runs also leave these
areas several times a week and go to the Umbagog Dialysis Center in Wilton. There are also
local dialysis runs in the Lewiston/Auburn area. WMTS provides public rides from outlying
areas to Lewiston/Auburn area as well as Portland.
WMTS has a contract with the Lewiston-Auburn Transit Committee (LATC), which was
created in 1976 as an administrative agency of the Cities of Lewiston and Auburn. Under the
provisions of the contract, WMTS provides fixed-route transit service in Auburn and Lewiston.
The service, known as "citylink," operates Monday through Friday along eight routes within
the Twin Cities. WMTS provides complementary paratransit service along these routes for the
physically impaired, using its own vehicles under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
WMTS also operates the Lisbon Connection, a fixed route commuter run between the Town of
Lisbon and the Intermodal Transfer Station in Lewiston. The town of Lisbon has contracted
with WMTS to provide five (5) scheduled round trips Mondays through Fridays, each trip
designed to connect with citylink. WMTS also operates the Mountain Explorer, a fixed route,
seasonal run between Bethel and Newry/Sunday River Ski Resort (this service operates
between Thanksgiving and Easter).
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Found this at
http://www.kidneyme.org/patient.htmlRenal Dialysis CentersThe National Kidney Foundation of Maine is proud to provide assistance to 19 (and growing) renal dialysis facilities in Maine. For information on the dialysis center nearest you, call us at 1-800-639-7220.
During the past two years, NKFM has awarded $150,000.00 directly to patients in Maine.
Patient Assistance Grants
A long-term illness such as kidney failure takes its toll both physically and financially on kidney patients. The National Kidney Foundation of Maine provides assistance to kidney patients and transplant recipients in need. Patient Assistance Grants are available as a one-time emergency request.
The NKFM offers financial assistance for help with heating oil, medications, transportation to and from dialysis, housing, food, and other material needs (glasses, dentures, utilities, etc.). To apply for these funds, patients must contact their dialysis center social worker and submit applicable receipts.
Nutrition Fund Grants
National Kidney Foundation of Maine offers financial assistance for dialysis patients through the Nutritionist at each dialysis center. It is vital to being part of the team that improves the quality of life for patients affected by renal disease. Our Foundation remains deeply committed to assisting patients with the high costs associated with kidney disease.
Scholarship Program
If you can say yes to one of the following, you qualify to apply for a scholarship with National Kidney Foundation of Maine:
* Maine State Resident
* Attending school Fall 2008
* I am a dialysis patient or transplant recipient, or the family member of a patient or recipient
Applications are available through Dialysis Unit Social Workers and the NKFM office. If you'd like to apply today, you can download the 2008 Scholarship Application and 2008 Scholarship Application checklist.
Please make sure to complete this form in its entirety. Also make certain that your name, mailing address, and telephone number are legible. The deadline for scholarship applications is August 1, 2008. For more information call the NKFM office at 1-800-639-7220.
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Call and ask for help.
I hope you get some assistance. Don't give up!
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