Last week, I went SHOPPING!!! Yeahhhh. But it’s not
lingerie, make up or perfume shopping hehehe. It’s DRUGS shopping.
I am a JUNKIE!!! Oooops! It's just a joke. But seriously, since I had my coronary episode almost 2 years ago this
month, drug shopping has been my hobby, not by choice, but by need. Unfortunately,
we don’t have some kind of a subsidy from the government, unless one is dirt
poor. I have always often wondered if
there’s a way I can legally avail of discounts for maintenance medicines. They
eat the bulk of my budget, add that to the laboratory work that's needed to be
done every 3 months or so, plus doctors’ check ups etc etc etc. They are not really HUGE but if the little
bits are added up, it’s not a nice
figure especially when I didn’t have to shell out for those in the past (before
the heart attack era) There are also
times when special considerations are given to pregnant, elderly or handicapped
people. I wondered if I can tell them,
hey, I am sick. BUT, no one would believe me as I look perfectly healthy, happy,
cheerful and NORMAL hehehe. Even the
angioplasty entrance marks near my groin have practically faded away.
Last weekend, as I was on my way to the adoration chapel to
pray for our Life in the Spirit Seminar participants, I got to talk to Bro.
Henry, a fellow Catholic charismatic member, about our health issues. How amazed we were that we were still alive,
that he was praying for me not knowing he would get sick a few months later.
Amazingly though, we both survived our ordeals. He then confirmed if what I had
was a major heart attack and underwent two major procedures? Yup I said. And he said, oh. you are surely
eligible for this card. Then he showed me his PWD (person with disability)
card. It is like a senior citizen card for people below 60, with discounts on
medicines, groceries (tiny discount), priority lanes etc etc etc. People with apparent and non apparent disabilities can get the card. Unlike the senior citizen card though, some establishments are still unaware and do not honor this card. Still, he encouraged
me to get a medical certificate from my cardiologist, a barangay endorsement,
id pics then proceed to the city hall with all the requirements. That’s what I did and after a few hours which
was mostly spent on the commute time, I had one in my hand with the purchase
booklets for medicines and groceries.
It is a rare occasion that I got something with no fees to
pay. Amazing! But, on the way home, I tried asking one of the Mercury Branches
outside BF Homes, if they honor that card, and sadly, they said they DO NOT
honor if the type of disability written is chronic illness: coronary artery
disease. This is persistent me talking though, so I tried in another branch. It
is the one nearer my place, where I actually buy my fix, and they said they
will honor it. Of course, I am crazy, so I called around, and found out there
are other establishments that will honor it even if Mercury won’t. For now, although I haven’t used it yet, I
feel satisfied that my effort in getting one won’t be in vain.
Maybe I am still in denial. But, while reading the
GUIDELINES ON THE ISSUANCE OF IDENTIFICATION CARD RELATIVE TO REPUBLIC ACT
9442, ---Identification Cards shall be issued to any bonafide PWD with permanent
disabilities due to any one or more of the following conditions:
psychosocial, chronic illness, learning, mental, visual, orthopedic,
speech and hearing conditions. This includes persons suffering from
disabling diseases resulting to the person’s limitations to do day to
day activities as normally as possible such as but not limited to those
undergoing dialysis, heart disorders, severe cancer cases and such other
similar cases resulting to temporary or permanent disability. I realized that I do fall under the NON APPARENT disability/CHRONIC
ILLNESS category. I do have a medical condition; it is chronic, for life, and
needs forever maintenance and care. I may look healthy and alright, but I can
not do some of the stuff I used to do and I have a list of restrictions to
follow. I can probably apply for a senior citizen card if age was not an issue
hehehehe!
It is not a card one would wish for. I do not even think I would use it for
priority lanes and what not unless extremely necessary. My main concern is the
maintenance medicines and/or lab work. If I could use them on those, I'm happy!
Not many people who may be eligible for one are aware of
this card. I was not aware until someone on the same boat told and actually encouraged me to get one. Thank you Lord
Jesus for sending Bro. Henry to relay to me the idea and info!
UPDATE: I already used the card. It is honored in more places than I thought would. I hope people who are eligible for this card would get informed and avail of the benefits it offers.
