I was escorted from my home by a Uber driver for the first time in my life when I learned the Veterans Administration provides the service free for disabled veterans.
Yeah, I never thought of using Uber because of the cost, so I took a train from my home in Conshohocken to Philadelphia before switching to a bus to get to the VA Hospital. That trip took about an hour and a half and cost me nothing because Pennsylvania provides a free transit ride for senior citizens.
I learned that a Uber ride to the facility from my home could cost between $39 and $92, depending on the type of Uber used. Of course, I would choose the cheapest so my Social Security funds would not take such a hit. It would still be too costly by my standards.
My second trip after learning of the free driving service was just three days later. It was to have blood drawn and visit with my rheumatologist. I have been getting treatment for arthritis for the past 10 years and routinely meet with specialists.
I used Uber to see a pulmonary specialist a few days ago to check out my lungs from the bout of pneumonia I was treated for during a five-day hospital a few weeks ago. Veterans’ free use of an Uber was unknown to me then, so I had my son pick me up when discharged from the hospital.
My next Uber ride is scheduled for March 3rd for the VA’s optometry division. Dental work is slated for the following month, and I am hoping I can work something out to avoid the previous discomfort I have experienced with a colonoscopy without any tranquilizer or sedative. You need someone to drive you home after the procedure so I did without the drug so I could take the bus and train. A Uber driver would make the procedure much easier for this veteran.
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Who would have thought that one day I would need such medical treatment and attention? Not my younger self.
I am grateful to the Veterans Administration for providing such a unique service for veterans of all ages. It really means a lot to those of us who served. I believe the VA is faithfully following the advice of Abraham Lincoln: “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.”
(The Uber service is free for all veterans with a disability rating of 30 percent or more. I have a 100 percent disability rating from the PTSD I got after serving in the Vietnam War.)
Contoveros 
How wonderful! My heart grows when I learn of such available assistance for those who gave so much for us to have the opportunities we are able to have today!
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I feel immensely gratified when I read a comment like yours knowing us veterans are trulty aprreciated for the time we served.
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🤗🤗🤗
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Got a call from Common Carrier, the group that has been providing the Uber service for the Philadelphia area for a year now and was informed it provides similiar help for veterans in 95 facilities nationwide. That would include rides not only with Uber but with Lyft, taxis and other ride-share type of vehicles.
I salute them!
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Great that such services are available to veterans such as yourself.
Interesting note on the colonoscopy thing too. I can’t even imagine going through it without at least a sedative. Here in Toronto they won’t even let you get the procedure done unless you have someone willing to drive you home afterwards. And in our case, not even an Uber driver will do; they want someone to come into their office and actually escort you out to the vehicle. Makes me wonder if I can arrange for an Uber driver to do such a thing.
When I had my last one I found a company that provides that service – but it’s costly. Next time I’ll look for some sort of Red Cross deal or something.
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I contacted the GI clinic at the VA hospital and they have the same policy that you have in Toronto gotta get a real person to accompany you for the colonoscopy because a Uber driver meeting you outside the hospital just won’t cut it.
Good luck with checking in with the Red Cross for a little assistance in the process.
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This is EXCELLENT information! I hope more people are made aware of this wonderful possibility with Uber and the VA! I am just so sorry that somehow, you were not aware of it earlier. But glad you found out. It seems to be a valuable resource and simply, the least we can do for our Vets. We should be doing so much more… I hope you are well! Sending you a hug!
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Thank you my dear Carmen. Despite all of the medication andmedical treatments I have been getting – now with the help of Uber – I am doing well and feeling more energetic.
The program was started nearly two years ago but was not made known to too many veterans that I know. Better late than never is what I always say!
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🥰🤗❤️
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