When all else fails

Chapter 13

It takes 3 days for the VA representative to visit me. "Good morning Mr. Fredrickson I am Sara Roth I am going to be helping you with your claim and get things going for you." She says as she reaches to shake my hand.

"Good morning." I take her hand with a small smile.

"I took the liberty to look up some of your medical information. And you will be set at 100 percent disability. Now we just need to figure out where we are going to get you. I see you are married."

"Actually, Carol served me with divorce papers my first day back. I have reached out to an attorney and already signed and submitted the forms."

"Oh, what a bitch, I am sorry to hear that. So where would you like to go?"

"Well I am guessing that leave back home with my parents. But I am not so sure how they will take all this. I haven't been able to talk to them lately."

"Ok I will start getting plans together to get you out there. We will first transfer you from here to the VA hospital closest to them, and that facility will work with you and your family to get things situated for you at home. There may be a possibility of getting you some vocational rehab so you will be able to work."

"That would be great I tend not to sit still well." Then I start laughing, as the realization that that is exactly what I will be doing the rest of my life hits.

Sarah chuckles a little herself "well it's good to see you can still laugh. I should go and start getting things together for you. Give your family a call and arrange what you can. Here is my card. If you have any questions or concerns just give me a call."

"I know I have the phone in my room, but would there be any chance in me getting a cell phone. I don't know how we would go about it. Never mind I will just stick with this."

She smiles and apologies as she heads out. I reach over to the phone. Quickly dial my parents' number. I get the answering machine leave the number I can be reached and hang up.

It takes three days for my mom to call me back. I explain what had happened. "Nope, nope, nope I will not have another baby in this house for longer than necessary. And you, you big baby, moving in here is longer than necessary."

"The fuck mom. I have nowhere to fucking go. You're going to abandon your own son when he needs you the most."

"I'm sorry. I don't have a son. He died in Iraq." My mother says as she hangs up the phone

That is when I realize I am truly alone. No family, no one. I put the phone down, just as Susan knocks on the door and enters.

"Well I have a flight and transport lines up for you tomorrow. You will be at the VA in Portland, until you can plan to get home. Is everything ok?"

"I don't have a home to go to. My mom just told me I died in Iraq."

"Oh, well um, unfortunately I can't change anything."

"That's fine Portland is as good a place as any to start over, I guess. Thank you for all your help."

"Your welcome. I am sorry I couldn't do more. I am going to give the social workers over there a call and give then a heads up. Maybe they can start working on something. I wish you luck and hope you take care."

"Thank you again." I say as I turn my head to look out the window. Three days later, I am in a similar bed looking out a similar window in a completely different city. The transportation and flight to Portland was very smooth. The nurse who checked me in told me they will have the social worker come visit as well as set up the therapies I had begun in Jacksonville.

An hour after the nurse left. There is a knock on the door. I look over but the door stays closed until I say they could enter.

"Hello Mr. Frederickson." This tall athletic woman says as she takes measured steps into my room.

"It's Sean can you all please just use Sean." I snap, "listen I'm sorry I am near my wits end and am snappy. How can I help you."

"No need to be sorry anyone would be with what you have been through the few months. I am Jen Vego" she holds out her hand. And I shake it. "I'm one of the social workers here and you have been assigned to my case load. Is there anything I can do to help your transition a little easer?"

"Well I don't know how long i will need to stay in the hospital. But when I am released, I have nowhere to go. So, if I could get some help finding a place that can accommodate someone in my position. I think I can get the rest."

"That won't be a problem. We have a list of apartment complexes that are well accommodating. I will give them a call and give you a list of who has an apartment you could rent. I know you will be fit for an electric wheelchair and go through more therapy. I should let you go so I can make those calls."

"Thanks" is all i can think to say. I turn to look out the window again as she leaves.

I end up going through more physical therapy to learn how to change myself and how to care for myself now that it is needed. I get a power wheelchair that I can lay completely flat to help with my changes. I found an apartment that I could easily live in. Due to the occupational therapy I was able to find a job. But it didn't last.

The next thing I know there years have passed. Barely making it by. 17 jobs have come and gone. I gave up caring after the fifth the first year. I find myself in front of my therapist. Telling all that has been going on. And that I was running out of rope.

"Sean i may have come across some information that may help you. I can't officially refer you to them. But a colleague of mine outside of the VA has told me they have helped a lot of others."

My ears perk up at hearing this. "Who. Who are these that can help?"

"Have you heard of the interdimensional agencies?"

"Vaguely I don't know a lot"

"Unfortunately, not a lot is really known outside the agency they try to keep things hush hush. But I have heard that their medical care for everything is way above our own."

"How do I contact them?" She hands me a card that has very little info. Just a name and a phone number. "You sure this is the right card?"

"Yes, very sure."

"Thank you I will call and see what they can do"

I head back to my appointment. As I wheel in, I look around not even really feeling like this place is really home. I pull out my cell phone and the card. I read the card Angie Lockheart. Interesting name. I dial the number and let the phone ring. Two rings I the other line picks up.

"Angie Lockheart, interdimensional Adoption agency how may I help you."

I pause for a second. Adoption agency what does she mean by that? "Hello, I know your still there I can hear you breathing. I know it's scary huh. Just tell me your name and we can go from there." She calmly explains.

"My name is Sean, what do you mean adoption agency?"

"Why don't I explain that in person. Do you think you may be able to come to my office today?"

"I think so all depends on how far. I rely on pubic transportation." She gives me the address. "Yes I can be there in about an hour."

"Great I will see you then"