Wow Brian,
This is difficult and painful process. I am so sorry to hear they won't even let you on first floor, because that is just a minimum thing and should be required. I remember waiting for a lower apartment to open 5 years ago and they held it at my request as my lease would be up then.
I am glad you are sharing what you are going thru and gaining support. So I hope the Judge finds favorably for you soon and that you are blessed with all that you need to help you heal and have less attacks.
You will be in our prayers.
Jennie
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
-----Original Message-----
From: "fakeMacGyver" <nairbrian@hotmail.com>
Sender: epilepsy@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 02:07:35
To: <epilepsy@yahoogroups.com>
Reply-To: epilepsy@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [epilepsy] NEW 8.24 landlord-discrimination update
Here's the recent update in my discrimination complaint against the landlord, who had been trying to remove me solely because of my epilepsy. I've been explaining what I've been going through since this all started in March.
Rather than go through court, I'm using http://www.nj.gov/oag/dcr/index.html
and things usually go speedier this way.
I spoke with the investigator of my case again today. He said that, out of my requests for settlement, the management agreed to just two of the 8:
- attending an epilepsy education class (which is free for them anyway)
- hanging up an anti-discriminitory poster in the building (which is something that legally was always supposed to be visible anyway)
Read about that second one at
http://www.nj.gov/oag/dcr/posters.html
I was told that they were not amenable to:
- paying any money
- having a cleaning service take care of any accident I might have when unconscious (mine have always just been a bit of stomach content or a scrape on the head from a fall; never any incontinence)
- letting me move to an apartment on a first floor (which was one of the things I wanted stating that it would be safer since I wouldn't have to worry about accidentally falling down steps and an ambulance, if needed, could take me to the hospital easier)
- giving a letter of apology ... because "We don't think he's shown any gratitute to us for times that we did help with a seizure."
I just got so mad about that last one. That they actually told the investigator they felt I didn't appreciate them for helping me at times. They claim that they were around at times and I never thanked them for it.
I tried to keep my cool. Told the investigator about what happens in a grand mal. That I lose awareness of words...definitions or objects...aphasia...and can't have any understandable idea of who is even present. It's as if I know nothing at those moments. So, I couldn't even go to someone who might have helped and thanked them afterwards because the whole event is gone anyway. If I was unconscious, how could I possibly know?
I said that this seemed to be just another example of their ignorance; and I said that I doubt they ever helped me in any situation. Maybe called an ambulance or opened a lobby door to let the EMT, as was stated in their letter, but those are just SOOO difficult to do? They even didn't like having to let me into my apartment if I didn't have my keys with me if I returned from a hospital.
Also, it was interesting that it was the landlady's husband who was doing most of the talking to him. I asked the investigator why he was hearing these things from that man and not the woman, who the complaint is against, and he said that it was because he's part owner of the property.
So....this is all nothing! Of course I didn't say "Oh, that's all fine; let's end this." I said "So, what's next?" He says that his part in the process is done. The report/findings go to his supervisor and then the director.
He informed me that if I wanted to request a lower amount, he could let the management know and they might agree to that, but he doubts it. So, I'm just letting the process continue. No need to tell the investigator that I would accept any lower amount since the landlord had already had no intention of paying anything.
I'll know the findings probably in a couple weeks at the most. At that time, if there's no finding of "proabale cause" then the case is closed. If there is, I'm given the opportunity to have a meeting between the managent, myself, and a third party to try and reach an agreement. Neither side has to do this conciliation process and it seems obvious that they wouldn't want to anyway. So, it would then go before an Administrative Law Judge.
It seems that that is what will be taking place. I'm still shaken up and pretty sad over this. They actually did this! I just need to keep telling myself that I didn't do anything wrong and I don't need to be upset about my condition making them uncomfortable. Friends told me that it's not surprising to them that the behaviour I received is what happened. They are proud of me for sticking with it.
As for meds, I'm off Trileptal and the Keppra is helping. No major events since mid February. Still have plenty of anxiety and panic attacks, which I've always had, but these events surely aren't helping.
Thanks to anybody who's been reading about this since I started and for any advice/encouragement I've received.
- Brian
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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