I received a call from a woman from Medicaid a few days ago. She asked me a couple of questions and then informed me that she’d open my case for six months. At the end of the six months, I have to send in a copy of my 2009 tax returns, and they’ll decide from there whether to keep my case open.

What does that mean exactly? I have health insurance for the next six months, at the very least! I asked her if that would include eye glasses and dental, which it does. She also said that it would cover my hospital stay from a few weeks ago. All the plans I made in my previous entry will be able to be completed, and soon! Unfortunately, Medicaid only covers three months prior to acceptance, so none of my other medical bills will be covered, but I’ll figure that out eventually. For now, I’m not worrying about the past; I’m worrying about the present and, ultimately, the future.

As soon as I get my insurance card in the mail, I’m making appointments for the dentist, the eye doctor, and a regular physician. From there, I’ll be able to get referrals to get my back and brain taken care of.

I am so elated, I can’t even begin to describe it.

I feel like for the first time in my life, I’m not just going through the motions. I’m actually taking charge and getting shit done. I’m getting insurance, I’ve been taking care of the other ordeal, I’m getting all of my previous work in order to get a portfolio and resume together so that I can get a good job, and I’m trying to get things straightened out with the DMV so that I don’t have to wait a year or pay $750 that I don’t have to start the whole process of getting my license all over again. I’m doing everything I need to do to get my life on track and keep it that way, and I’m really proud of myself.

I think I’m finally getting a hang of this whole life thing. I think I’m finally growing into my own skin and finding out what I really want out of life, and learning what I need to do to get it. There may be a lot of obstacles to overcome, and I know I’ve got a lot of them in my way right now, but I also know that for the first time ever, I have the strength and willpower and support to get through it all. And I will.