Before I launch into this, I'd like to say, for the record, that this whole Blog will NOT be exclusively about the pregnancy. That shit's boring and I am nothing if not here to entertain.
That being said.......
I can be too proud.
And before now that pride really hasn't gotten me into much trouble, but I'm now faced with how to pay for the birth of a baby. This is somewhat difficult when neither I nor Jen have health insurance. Our best estimates have shown us that it'll cost anywhere from $5K to $8K. We don't have a spare $5K to $8K. We both pretty much live paycheck to paycheck. We don't live extravagantly, but we're happy and we get by. I've said it before, I LOVE my job. I honestly believe that that's more important than chasing money in a job that I either don't give a shit about or outright despise. The bigger paycheck is just not worth it to me.
So, we have to explore other options. Those being Medicaid and other government-assistance programs.
Honestly, the thought of taking what I see as a handout makes me a bit nauseous. However, faced with the alternative ( there really IS no alternative when you don't have health insurance ) we'll take Medicaid. I've tried to reassure myself by saying things like, "Well, I've payed into the system my entire working life" and "We're not irresponsible, we pay our bills".
My friend Melissa said, "It's not like Jen's some crack-whore cranking out babies". No offense if you're a crack-whore. I'm sure that you love your crack babies.
So, I'll bypass my pride for the health of my kid and Jen and hopefully, someday, I'll be in a position to help someone else out who is in my shoes.
Or at least buy them some crack.
5 comments:
Michael,
It really saddened me to read your blog today. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with utilizing government programs. That’s what they are there for. Hopefully your friends and family can give you all the support you need. Having a baby is a stressful time but everything will work itself out. The reward is going to be so great! Keep that chin up because your baby is going to be lucky to have you as a father. Hopefully Jen will choose to breastfeed, it’s free. Let me know if I can help you guys in any way.
I'm not trying to make light of what you have said in any way ... but the title of this particular blog totally made me think of Ben Folds. You know what I'm talking 'bout!
"Let me tell y'all what i's like, being male, middle-class and white ... It's a bitch, if you don't believe, listen up to my new CD ... Sha-mon!"
Not to be too squishy, but I agree with Heidi ... you are awesome, and this kid is going to be crazy-lucky to have you as a dad. Utilize what is out there for you, and everything else will work itself out.
Hey mikey, April and I were in the same shoes as you and Jen are. The thing that you need to remember is that you are having a child and therefore have no self pride left. Your pride moves to your child which is the most important at this time until you die. Cheers, Bucky
ps. It is weird at first but you get used to it. Honestly.
Actually, you are a loser for using Medicaid. On the loser scale, you don't rate nearly as high as I do, but nevertheless, you're a loser.
I mean, I agree that the programs are there to help people out and all, those people being losers.
Luckily, loser-ness is an acute illness. Not-so-luckily, it's not like chicken pox, so you may catch it again. I'm still getting over my last case of it. It was a doozy, as you well know.
So here's to you, loser, for swallowing your pride. Get on WIC, too, so Jen can feel like a loser every time she goes shopping.
Wow I just realized all of your friends are way more supportive and nice than I am... suddenly I feel bad lol.
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