Drapetomania

Harper’s life hadn’t been the easiest. She had nothing but health issues the last few years. On top of people not being so kind to her. People who’d let their actions speak for them. People who’d betrayed her in some way. She wanted nothing more than to leave. The financial hardship she was experiencing kept her in a town that never loved her. She’d gotten a Lawyer to help her get Disability. The severe financial hardship she’d been thrown into left her depressed far more than anyone realized or knew about. She’d kept to herself far more. She’d lost all faith in local Doctors. They hadn’t listened to her when she spoke up. It seemed like they weren’t too interested in listening to her either way. It didn’t change her keeping detailed notes of what she was going through. In the event she ever got the care she desperately needed. She didn’t think that’d ever happen. She hoped it would knowing the healthcare system had already failed her in Florida. She wasn’t so sure she’d get Disability while living in Florida either. Even with the help of a Lawyer. Adam had been fighting as if Harper’s life depended on it. Her life did depend on it in some ways though. 

He’d managed to win her case in less time than normal. He’d used all her medical records in a way that went against the grain. He cited the lack of healthcare in the area she was living in hindering her from having any kind of normal life outside of the house. She rarely left the house because of her health issues. Doctors hadn’t listened to her. She needed Specialist care she’d never get while living in the small town she was in. That having Disability and Medicaid would leave her financially able to move and get the care she so desperately needed. He won her case citing Disability is supposed to help people like Harper. It hadn’t taken long after that for her to get it. He helped her find the best place for her to seek Specialist care. Miami Beach was the best option for her in Florida. If she chose to stay in Florida. Colorado was the second option she’d considered after doing research to see what the healthcare system was like there. She chose South Florida for the time being. Until she went on a trip to Colorado that changed her mind. 

She moved to Colorado a month later. An argument with Ben left her briefly homeless. He’d kicked her out after she told him things he needed to hear. He hadn’t been taking care of himself. He hadn’t done things he needed to do to live a healthier life. She’d started living a “you can’t help someone that doesn’t want it” life with him. She wasn’t going to help him considering he didn’t seem to want it. Doctors had even told him things he needed to deal with. Things he still hadn’t dealt with. He stormed out of the house for a few hours. Long enough for her to pack everything up. He came back and gave her three thousand dollars. Not knowing she’d gotten approved and had just gotten the back pay from Disability. She hadn’t told him yet. She’d decided to wait until the following day before the fight happened. She’d chosen not to tell him and accept the money he’d given her. 

She stayed in an extended stay hotel for the time being. She was looking at different apartments to move into. She moved into a Loft a month after the move. She’d established herself as a patient at one of the Doctors' offices by then. Her best friend Millie told her about what happened with Ben after she left. That he’d been hospitalized with an infection he got from a cut on his foot. A cut he knew nothing about because of the Diabetic Neuropathy he had. He’d not been able to feel his feet for a while. Doctors considered amputation if they couldn’t get rid of the infection. He was going to be placed in an Assisted Living Facility either way when he was released. He’d been diagnosed with early onset Dementia. She made sure everyone, Ben included, that she wasn’t coming back to deal with it. That Millie would be doing so in her place. She’d moved on with her life. She’d traveled to New York City to see the place her paternal grandmother once lived. To roam around. She’d become far happier during her trip. She even considered moving there. The Drapetomania she’d once experienced stayed with her. Until she no longer felt the need to indulge in it. There wasn’t anything to run away from anymore. She was far happier with the life she was living. She’d dealt with all of her health issues. She was speaking out while in Colorado. With an urge to move to NYC that she may indulge in. A few years down the road anyway.