Sunday, September 16, 2007

Homebound Requirement A Catch-22

FAYETTEVILLE -- A decade ago, Pam Wolfenbarger led an active life. She attended school and sports events with her son, was active in her church and volunteered with organizations such as Habitat For Humanity, the Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission and MADD.

The fact that she is a quadriplegic -- confined to a wheelchair with limited use of her arms -- didn't stop her. The Fayetteville resident functions well once she is seated in her wheelchair. She cooks, cleans, surfs the Web and cares for her animals. She could even drive a converted van with hand controls, if allowed to.

But she isn't.

She relies on Medicare to pay her medical bills, and the system's rules essentially keep the vibrant, intelligent 49-year-old trapped in her home.

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