Transport

So you've gone and lost your license?

I bargained with my Surgeon as my stroke wasn't a clot, it was unlikely to reoccur. He gave in at 3 months, and gave my license back to me.

If you have good bloods - chances your OK with 3 or 6 months. The bad news is if you live rurally, and if there is no public transport, your rather more screwed than those that live in the towns. Make your appointments to suit you when you can. Try and do everything on the same day, fact is you'll get tired but other wise you maybe waiting a month or more.

See if your Chemist can courier, check what can be done over the phone or with Skype if you need a face to face with your surgeon you may be able to get away with a local Doc instead a trip to the Hospital. I have had to travel hundreds of km's to get to see my surgeon, when what should happen is I find a good local doc who has had stroke patients before and the three of us skype the surgeon. Saving me hundreds of dollars in fuel, which apparently you can get back - but more forms that I can't handle.

Unfortunately WINZ don't work with commonsense in their favour so you will need to appoint an advocate till you get mobile and can get in there to sort them out. They absolutely will not payout what you are entitled to until you cry once or twice, same with IRD. Just let it go and be the basket case they so richly deserve.

There is this thing called the Beneficiaries Union for my area it is 09 376 4760 - let them sort winz out for you. They didn't actually manage to change anything, but the gave me hope. Ineffective, but hope.

You should also be given a Social worker whilst you are still in hospital and budget advisor - it is very apparent to everyone else that you won't be back to work for 6 months. But you will only be given a 2 weekly medical certificates - which needs to be renewed every other week - the stupidest thing yet.

So no transport - if you live where I live - no public buses, no trains and no nothing. The realy cute news, no money and no transport - more depression. I survived, for what? A 3 hour walk that I can not do with my lopsided circular gait, with no footpaths, on statehighways; to get groceries I can not afford. Yes, I'll stay home and write a book about this bullshittery.

The laws of nature will not allow you to be a stable non emotional machine like you used to be for around 6 months, losing your transport will be a huge loss. Fight hard and get it back as soon as you can, so you can start your new normal.