EEDA Newsletter Vol 5, Res 26: Insurance Claim File Helper, Covid Safety, & Info for Trans Folks
This is a public issue of Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice. Feel free to share it!
Hi friends! Last weekend we went to a craft faire here in Oakland where I bought about a dozen books from PM Press and some perfume that makes me smell like a bowl of froot loops. Nicole was the more sensible one and bought a couple of locally made dresses from a designer she loves and whose clothing suits her really well. I’m running out of spell slots and I still have about fifty holiday cards to address so let’s get to it!
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As I mentioned in a recent newsletter, I’m going to be sharing resources more frequently and essay issues less frequently.
Resource 1: ProPublica’s Claim File Helper
Info flow on Bluesky is really picking up. I learned from this post about ProPublica’s Claim File Helper. It will help format a letter for you to your (US) insurance company to demand the records behind a claim denial, which in most cases you legally have the right to access. Once you know the likely bullshit reason that coverage was denied, you may then file an appeal. Which, this all takes a lot of spell slots and such to be able to do so I want to recognize that it may not be realistic for many folks.
Resource 2: The Covid Safety Handbook by Violet Blue (& More!)
Violet Blue has published The Covid Safety Handbook and you can buy it at your preferred place via the links on the Covid Safety Handbook Linktree: https://linktr.ee/covidbook. But there’s more! The Linktree also has a shop where you can find links to related books, recommended masks, recommended air filters, and prevention extras. I’ve been meaning to pick up a personal air filter and I’m excited to dig into this list.
Resource 3: Post-election planning for families of trans kids + trans folks
This is separated into multiple categories. Much of what is in here is just more of a starter of what to do (a sentence) rather than a link out to resources. The self-defense portion is vague and it’s a much more nuanced and complicated conversation than is in this post. Also, one bullet point says, “Go to therapy!” Sigh. Check out our podcast episode and newsletter issue on that.
That being said, this article is a great starting point if you’re feeling lost or spiral-y.
Resource 4: Stay With Us
Some phenomenal essays by trans writers on why it’s important for trans folks to keep going, even when it feels like there’s every reason not to. If I keep going, then you keep going, deal? Deal. Let our joy make ‘em mad and let’s give ‘em hell.
Recent & Current Reads
Inclusion of a book in this section is not necessarily a recommendation and these books won’t necessarily be added to my Bookshop. Links are affiliate links.
Recently Read:
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer, illustrated by John Burgoyne
Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally by Emily Ladau
Currently Reading:
Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care by Kelly Hayes & Mariame Kaba
African American Folktales: Stories from Black Traditions in the New World by Roger D. Abrahams (sorry, can’t find it on Bookshop. My copy is from 1985. Found some on Thriftbooks, though not my exact copy)
Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by Adrienne Maree Brown
That’s it for this week! You can shop many books I’ve mentioned in this newsletter at my affiliate shop, The Infophile’s Bookshop, and support independent bookstores. In fact, any Bookshop, Amazon, or Etsy links in this newsletter are affiliate links so if you shop through those, it helps support my work. Or you can leave me a tip on Ko-fi, Paypal, or Venmo.
If you want to send me some snail mail, you can find me at P.O. Box 21481, Oakland, CA 94620-1481.
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