One Of The Problems In Greece…

January 14, 2015 By: Debbie15 Comments

Is That No One Seems To Know The System…

Was it really only ten days ago that I was feeling refreshed, positive and strong for 2015?

Oh how things have changed in such a short time!…It is only January the 10th and I am feeling stressed, frazzled and mentally exhausted.

For anyone who doesn’t know, last summer our son was diagnosed with having a sensory disorder and apraxia on top of the myopathy that he had already been diagnosed with a few years back ( a bit of news that I haven’t yet shared is that just before Christmas we got an official diagnosis of Aspergers. Believe it or not, it was what we wanted to hear as it goes a long way in explaining what makes Greg’s is Greg’s…Another story for another day I think!).

The Financial Help We Get…

Isn’t good…But at least it’s something and every little bit helps.

Every month we hand in a receipt from his therapist along with the official bit of paper we were given and his IKA book (our medical insurance in Greece)….Sounds easy….If only life were that simple!

Before we could get financial help we had to get a number of official stamps (the Greeks like their official stamps and paperwork). We had to get stamps from Doctors who had never seen our son; sounds easy, but as no one seems to know exactly what stamps are needed it is very frustrating and time wasting. The people who need to stamp the papers are always very illusive and vague. The government office workers are also very vague and unhelpful (not all, but most).

And still the ‘powers that be’ want another stamp!

Yesterday…

We had a lot of running a round to do in regards to our sons recent Aspergers diagnosis. And whilst we were in the offices thought nothing of handing in the paperwork for Decembers therapy payment…But…

The girl behind the counter…The same girl who has excepted our paperwork for the past eight months and promised me that it was all correct on more than one occasion (since living in Greece, we have learned to triple check things).

The same girl who chased up the payments when after four months we had received nothing ( which is also normal in Greece).

That same girl told us that our paper was missing a stamp!…You only need to look at the picture above to know that their can’t be an official person left on the island that hasn’t stamped the paper!…She showed the paper to the ‘powers that be’, who agreed that we needed another stamp and we had to track down the Doctor who originally stamped the paper all those months ago…The madness of it all is that we have been receiving the money every month with no problem, with one payment going in only yesterday.

So abandoning the paperwork we planned to sort for Greg’s Aspergers diagnosis, we headed up to the hospital to try and get the stamp we need to satisfy the ‘powers that be’…To be told by two offices that the stamps we already had were all we needed…After much insistence they did put another stamp on it, but we could tell that it was only to humour us.

This Morning We Headed Back To The IKA office…

Went to the counter to explain what we had been told at the hospital about not needing any more stamps. After much tutting and eyeball rolling they excepted the paper. Once again my faith in the system has been knocked and I am not sure what it was all about as we have already received seven months of therapy money.

I love living in #Greece, but…

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Greece Is My Home…

And I love living here.

But the amount of time wasted in this country is not funny. The system is far from efficient and it will remain that way until something changes. Government offices need to work together and all abide by the same rules (that are laid out clearly to all concerned).

Nothing runs smoothly (if it does we get edgy)…And it shouldn’t be like that. We (and many others) have enough to worry about, without being given the run around by a system where no one seems to know what’s going on.

Is Greece the only country with an inefficient system or are inefficient systems the norm in most countries? I’d be interested to hear how other countries systems work, if only to help me feel better…Rather selfish I know!

Tagged In...

Greece • Greg's and Us • special needs • Zakynthos

About Debbie

Hello, I’m Debbie (also known as ChirpyDebs) and thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet. Now the children are all grown up I’m happiest when I’m out with the dogs or hiking a trail with my camera in hand. My blog is where I like to share photographs showing the wild beauty of Zakynthos that most people don’t get to see, recipes and other seemingly random things that come to mind.

Comments

15

Lysa says

January 25, 2015 at 6:21 am

Hi Debbie, I read this the other night on my cell phone and was so exhausted I kept falling asleep while trying to comment. Sorry it has taken me so long to get back over here to comment as things have been crazy busy with the whole birthday extravaganza that . If you haven't noticed, I don't really write much about my youngest daughter Kelsey. She is a special needs child as well I have had a few different diagnosis for her one of them being borderline Asperger's The diagnosis that her most recent psychiatrist has given her is Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), ADHD, Depression (THey won't diagnosis her with Bi-Polar Disorder until she is older). She also has a conductive hearing loss and problems with her speech. Anyway, we get assistance for our medical insurance too. and I have always complained about how it all works and what a pain in the butt it is to re-apply every year. But... After reading about the troubles you have there in Greece I feel rather lucky and grateful for our system. As far as the doctors and specialists go we all have what is called a Primary Doctor who must see us for EVERYTHING before we are allowed to see any other doctor because our Primary Doctor has to refer us to specialists. Basicly, he needs to see us for a condition he does not specialize in to say that yes we do have said condition and that the only doctor that can treat us is which ever speciaist he decides to refer us to. I just think it is a waste of money and time to be seeing two doctors for the same thing especially when the first doctor can't do anything for you except send you to another doctor. The delay in treatment for conditions is what caused my RSD to progress to the stage that it is in. Early treatment and physical therapy is to key in preventing bone deformity and severe nerve damage. Well, it took about five months from my initial Primary Care visit for me to be properly diagnosed. And I have not seen a doctor in over six months because I find it pointless to go into the doctor's office once a month only to be told every single time that there is nothing they can do for me. Well except to prescribe me with a ton of pain medication that leaves me unable to function like a normal human being. It doesn't sound as if your system is going to be improving any time soon which is unfortunate for all of you because at the end of the day all they are doing is causing you to suffer even more. Sending lots of love and hugs! Greg's is one lucky young man to have a Mom like you who is strong enough to persevere through it all because it is in his best interest! Much love, Lysa xx Lysa recently posted...FREAKING REFRIGERATOR DOOR

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16

Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault says

January 22, 2015 at 11:32 pm

France too - Simon and I went to umpteen meetings at umpteen different offices as he was told his business had to be set up a different way ... only to end up back at the original office where all he actually needed to do was to get a code changed ... ahhhhhh! Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault recently posted...Animal Tales - 8

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- 17
  
  Debbie says
  
  January 24, 2015 at 7:53 pm
  
  Hi Rosie, it's good to hear that it's not just here in Greece that people are given the run around! I hope that your business is up and running smoothly now! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Debbie recently posted...Oh! How Time Passes!
  
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18

Rebecca says

January 21, 2015 at 11:15 pm

Those stamps are driving me nuts. Seriously? I guess no system is perfect...I don't need stamps but I do need referrals. Do you know difficult it is to get a referral? It's beyond confusing and stupid. I'm glad you got a proper diagnosis, now I hope you get what you're supposed to get and all the stamps! Rebecca recently posted...How to Survive the Terrible Twos: Mombie

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- 19
  
  Debbie says
  
  January 22, 2015 at 9:51 pm
  
  Hi Rebecca, referrals sound like fun too then. It is good to know that no system is perfect and who would want to live in a country with a perfect system anyway?...Okay maybe me (and a few others I have no doubt. I don't believe there is such a thing as getting all the stamps here. The paper runs out at the end of February and the fun starts all over again ( we have to re apply every twelve months for therapies). Next week Greg's is expected to sign up for military service (which is compulsory here). We are bracing ourselves for that, even though his diagnosis's proves he couldn't cope or manage it, but I expect the army Doctors will want to have a poke and a prod. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. It's always good to see you. xx Debbie recently posted...Oh! How Time Passes!
  
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20

Verily Victoria Vocalises says

January 21, 2015 at 12:55 pm

Crikey, what a trying start to the year! Greece sounds like it is full of red tape. I think it is harder when you are aware of your experiences in other countries and they are easier to deal with - as it is what you know. I hope that things get easier for you with regards to the running around. You have enough to cope with as it is. Thank you for all your support and for linking to #PoCoLo x Verily Victoria Vocalises recently posted...Simplicity.

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- 21
  
  Debbie says
  
  January 22, 2015 at 9:42 pm
  
  Hi Victoria, it was a bit of a start to the year, but then again I have lived here long enough to know that these things happen. I'm sure that where ever we live we'd come up against problems; doesn't every one? Feeling better and stronger now, in preparation for putting in the next paper....(insert positive thinking right here!) It's always a pleasure linking up, even if I am a bit late! Debbie recently posted...Oh! How Time Passes!
  
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22

lydia ritchie says

January 18, 2015 at 5:38 am

Goodness me what a frustrating time for you all. Good on you for persevering, you will get there! Thanks for linking up to #SHINEbloghop All the best with getting it sorted and quickly

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- 23
  
  Debbie says
  
  January 19, 2015 at 6:52 am
  
  Hi Lydia, things usually work out in the end, it's just a shame that things are never straight forward...But then I suppose that's life! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Debbie recently posted...Mommy Reality #27 – This Is My Real
  
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24

Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says

January 16, 2015 at 11:00 pm

Oh my, that would be totally frustrating. I wouldn't have the patience for that mess but then again, we often cope with what we're dealt. I hope things get a little easier for you Deb. Wishing you a lovely weekend. xoxo Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted...SHINE Blog Hop #30

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- 25
  
  Debbie says
  
  January 17, 2015 at 5:54 pm
  
  Hi Jennifer, it can be frustrating to say the least, but there are no other options. Things will get easier as they invariably do (life experiences have taught me that!). Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. Debbie recently posted...One Of The Problems In Greece…
  
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26

Jen@JENerallyInformed says

January 15, 2015 at 9:21 pm

Oh that would drive me looney! Chasing all of the paperwork and not being able to actually focus on the treatment and care is crazy! One of my daughters has a health problem that requires she be covered under a different insurance than the rest of our family. I about lost my cool right before Christmas just trying to get her paperwork resolved so she could actually see a doctor! Jen@JENerallyInformed recently posted...The Cutest DIY Kid’s Boot Socks Ever

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- 27
  
  Debbie says
  
  January 16, 2015 at 6:43 am
  
  Hi Jen, it can be very testing to say the least. The running around and uncertainty (not to mention the hours wasted!) is draining. Anyone who needs extra help for whatever reason doesn't need the hassle of being messed around on top. I have managed to stay calm so far (I've always been a little barmy, which seems to help!), not looking forward to putting the next lot of papers in for January though. Thank you for stopping by and letting me vent! xx Debbie recently posted...One Of The Problems In Greece…
  
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28

Louisa says

January 15, 2015 at 12:18 pm

Good grief, it sounds very frustrating. I found the road to diagnosis of Aspergers quite hard but we didn't have to deal with this level of bureaucracy. I am glad that the nhs is free but am disappointed at the level of support we have received (very little) despite really struggling at times. Is your health care good once you get past the paper stamping and form filling? x Louisa recently posted...Happy birthday Fran

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- 29
  
  Debbie says
  
  January 15, 2015 at 1:10 pm
  
  Hi Louisa, it is very frustrating at times and it can be very difficult to remain positive...But I try!...I think what made getting Greg's properly diagnosed is the fact that a lot of his traits were dismissed as him lacking confidence due to his myopathy and the medical professionals we saw weren't really clued up...Some of the things we've been told over the years have been unbelievable. Unfortunately despite being given the impression that we were going to get plenty of support, we get very little. His speech therapist is great though and is trying to help him over and above his speech as she knows he just isn't getting the help. How old was your child when you got a diagnosis?...Being originally from England I have been told we would have got better support and help in the UK, but I'm not so sure. Although I would have more family around and I think that would be a great support system. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Debbie recently posted...One Of The Problems In Greece…
  
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