4 RJ
Donation protected
Hi everyone, I hope all is well with you and your families during these tumultuous times. This is one of the most difficult things I have had to do, but I can't put it off any longer. My name is Rodney Avery and I my life has turned for the absolute worst as a result of the Coronavirus. Let me first acknowledge that I know that I am not the only person feeling the pressure from this devastating virus. We are currently at 194,698 people dead from the Coronavirus, and over 6.5 million cases. My heart goes out to all of those who have endured such tremendous lose during this time as the rest of us continue to try and maneuver through life during this ordeal. I also would like to acknowledge everyone on the Westcoast who are also having to deal with wildfires in addition to having to deal with a pandemic. Finally, I want to pay my respects for all of those people on our front lines(essential workers), we definitely couldn't get through this without your bravery and dedication to get the job done while trying to avoid an invisible enemy. When I was in the Military it was difficult not knowing when or where you would be called up for war, but that was what I had signed up for, I for, one understand, that this wasn't what you guys signed up for. Last but not least, I would like to recognize our School staffs, Teachers, and Professors. You are basically being asked to run into a burning building without knowing what to expect on a daily basis, each day will probably propose a different situation to overcome. My prayers are with all of you and your families.
My reason for coming to you today is because I am at a crossroads in my life. A little back ground about me. On Thanksgiving Day back in 2018 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. At the time it was the most devastating time in my life. Then enter 2020, as as you all know the rest is history. I was initially out of work for 8 months after my diagnosis. After receiving rehab to learn to walk and take again and medical treatment I was able to return to work on June 15th 2019. It wasn't easy, but by the grace of God I was able to return to work a little over a year ago. On March 27th I was furloughed through my company (benore logistics systems) and was out of work due to the Coronavirus pandemic. At which time I was able to receive unemployment benefits. It was the 365 state of Georgia unemployment benefits in addition to the 600 from federal funding. I received this from March until July. As a result of my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis my immune system has been compromised and our Governor Brian Kemp has placed a shelter in place ordinance for people who are at high risk for contracting the virus. My Neurologist has currently prevented me from returning to work until we can get a better idea of the status of the virus on a day to day basis. Just as the Governor, based on the science he continues to extend the order as he sees necessary for the safety of Georgia lives. Currently the ordinance has been extended until Tuesday September 15th, but with the number of cases and deaths continuing to grow, I anticipate that he will be extending it again as he has been doing since June. I have titled this donation 4 RJ, because of a father who is just looking for some assistance to help provide for my family who is not currently in the position to be able to do anything for himself. Multiple Sclerosis occurs in the brain, no one really knows the origin of the Coronavirus in the United States, but yet I feel like responsible for these things happening to me because of the way things are currently being handled. From my company, country, and God. My company (benore logistics systems) paid me unemployment from March until July even after they had people returning to work. In August my benefits had stopped, unbeknownst to me. I didn't find out until I contacted my human resources department. Now I am being told since there is work for me, and as they refer to it, as me refusing to return to work they will no longer pay me unemployment benefits. So now I have been informed that this was no longer a unemployment benefits issue but due to the medical components of the situation it is a short term disability issue, keep in mind my company (benore logistics systems) had been paying unemployment since April up until July. So I didn't argue with them I proceeded to apply for short term disability with the assistance of my human resources department. Short term disability informed me that they can't compensate me for avoiding a Coronavirus pandemic although I have a compromised immune system. The only way that I would be able to qualify is if I had been diagnosed earlier this year with Multiple Sclerosis or if I contracted COVID-19. The exact thing that I am trying to avoid in the first place as we all are trying to do right now. The only way they will consider extending my short term disability benefits now is if there is something preventing me from being able to return to work right now. So now my body is having an allergic reaction to the medical treatment I have been receiving on a monthly basis for the MS. My vision is blurry on a daily basis, my head feels like it is cramping up on me, and it feels like I have kitchen grease flowing through my veins. My Neurologist has now put me out of work until October 1st to closely monitor my blood work and observation of my status. I faxed over the new diagnosis to short term disability for updated claim information and Friday, September 11th, I received a letter stating that I need to provide more information to support my request for short term disability going back to March 12th. I was still working on March 12th so why would I request short term disability on March 12th, I wasn't furloughed until March 27th. So I called them yet again and he said he would update the information in my claim, but we are going to probably be looking for another couple of weeks to get processed. Keep in mind I haven't received a dime of income since July and I am the head of the household, the breadwinner. I have also reapplied for unemployment benefits, but the offices are currently closed due to the Coronavirus. They are currently sheltering in place, so I have not been able to get in touch with anyone just been leaving voice mails. Even with the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor. Anyone in Georgia who maybe familiar with Better call Harry, I have also attempted to reach out to him, but I was informed that there is a high number of claim requests and that they are being based on priority starting with people who have been waiting 12 weeks or so. In 12 weeks you can lose everything and that is our starting point for consideration in the worlds richest nation. I am just asking for help to continue to be able to provide for my special needs non-verbal son until Daddy can return to work without us having to lose everything in the process. I have even made an effort to reach out to some celebrities and politicians regarding my situation. President Trump, Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Kamala Harris, Mitch McConnell, Charles Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Gayle King, Shon Gables, and Matt Ryan. I haven't heard from anyone yet, I'm still trying to figure out this whole social media thing. I don't know if they just use it to send out information or if they actually check their messages.
Thank you for your time and consideration, I know that that these are difficult times for us all, but I feel like this is all or nothing for me. The stress is weighing on me and I can tell that I am beginning to lose the battle within the battle of my body. Multiple Sclerosis is really trying to take control over my body, I can't fight this battle alone any assistance would be truly, greatly appreciated...Thank You!!!
My reason for coming to you today is because I am at a crossroads in my life. A little back ground about me. On Thanksgiving Day back in 2018 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. At the time it was the most devastating time in my life. Then enter 2020, as as you all know the rest is history. I was initially out of work for 8 months after my diagnosis. After receiving rehab to learn to walk and take again and medical treatment I was able to return to work on June 15th 2019. It wasn't easy, but by the grace of God I was able to return to work a little over a year ago. On March 27th I was furloughed through my company (benore logistics systems) and was out of work due to the Coronavirus pandemic. At which time I was able to receive unemployment benefits. It was the 365 state of Georgia unemployment benefits in addition to the 600 from federal funding. I received this from March until July. As a result of my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis my immune system has been compromised and our Governor Brian Kemp has placed a shelter in place ordinance for people who are at high risk for contracting the virus. My Neurologist has currently prevented me from returning to work until we can get a better idea of the status of the virus on a day to day basis. Just as the Governor, based on the science he continues to extend the order as he sees necessary for the safety of Georgia lives. Currently the ordinance has been extended until Tuesday September 15th, but with the number of cases and deaths continuing to grow, I anticipate that he will be extending it again as he has been doing since June. I have titled this donation 4 RJ, because of a father who is just looking for some assistance to help provide for my family who is not currently in the position to be able to do anything for himself. Multiple Sclerosis occurs in the brain, no one really knows the origin of the Coronavirus in the United States, but yet I feel like responsible for these things happening to me because of the way things are currently being handled. From my company, country, and God. My company (benore logistics systems) paid me unemployment from March until July even after they had people returning to work. In August my benefits had stopped, unbeknownst to me. I didn't find out until I contacted my human resources department. Now I am being told since there is work for me, and as they refer to it, as me refusing to return to work they will no longer pay me unemployment benefits. So now I have been informed that this was no longer a unemployment benefits issue but due to the medical components of the situation it is a short term disability issue, keep in mind my company (benore logistics systems) had been paying unemployment since April up until July. So I didn't argue with them I proceeded to apply for short term disability with the assistance of my human resources department. Short term disability informed me that they can't compensate me for avoiding a Coronavirus pandemic although I have a compromised immune system. The only way that I would be able to qualify is if I had been diagnosed earlier this year with Multiple Sclerosis or if I contracted COVID-19. The exact thing that I am trying to avoid in the first place as we all are trying to do right now. The only way they will consider extending my short term disability benefits now is if there is something preventing me from being able to return to work right now. So now my body is having an allergic reaction to the medical treatment I have been receiving on a monthly basis for the MS. My vision is blurry on a daily basis, my head feels like it is cramping up on me, and it feels like I have kitchen grease flowing through my veins. My Neurologist has now put me out of work until October 1st to closely monitor my blood work and observation of my status. I faxed over the new diagnosis to short term disability for updated claim information and Friday, September 11th, I received a letter stating that I need to provide more information to support my request for short term disability going back to March 12th. I was still working on March 12th so why would I request short term disability on March 12th, I wasn't furloughed until March 27th. So I called them yet again and he said he would update the information in my claim, but we are going to probably be looking for another couple of weeks to get processed. Keep in mind I haven't received a dime of income since July and I am the head of the household, the breadwinner. I have also reapplied for unemployment benefits, but the offices are currently closed due to the Coronavirus. They are currently sheltering in place, so I have not been able to get in touch with anyone just been leaving voice mails. Even with the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor. Anyone in Georgia who maybe familiar with Better call Harry, I have also attempted to reach out to him, but I was informed that there is a high number of claim requests and that they are being based on priority starting with people who have been waiting 12 weeks or so. In 12 weeks you can lose everything and that is our starting point for consideration in the worlds richest nation. I am just asking for help to continue to be able to provide for my special needs non-verbal son until Daddy can return to work without us having to lose everything in the process. I have even made an effort to reach out to some celebrities and politicians regarding my situation. President Trump, Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Kamala Harris, Mitch McConnell, Charles Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Gayle King, Shon Gables, and Matt Ryan. I haven't heard from anyone yet, I'm still trying to figure out this whole social media thing. I don't know if they just use it to send out information or if they actually check their messages.
Thank you for your time and consideration, I know that that these are difficult times for us all, but I feel like this is all or nothing for me. The stress is weighing on me and I can tell that I am beginning to lose the battle within the battle of my body. Multiple Sclerosis is really trying to take control over my body, I can't fight this battle alone any assistance would be truly, greatly appreciated...Thank You!!!
Organizer
Rodney Avery
Organizer
Dacula, GA