Social Security Disability

April 6, 2005

, I had the same problem with SSD but hired a lawyer who

specialized in such cases. Once a judge reviewed my records and my

own reasons for asking for disability, he changed his mind before we

even appeared before him. I've been on SSD for one year now.

I was a college professor, driving for over one hour one way before

daylight and could not feel the gas pedal or brakes beneath my feet.

Plus, I was almost falling asleep while driving. My head tended to

fall forward and I had to " prop " my head a lot, not looking

professional at all. I sat most of the time because I could not stand

for very long, or I would tend to lose my balance. I had to move from

building to building across campus, making it a slow and tiresome

process while subject to tripping and falling on the broken & uneven

sidewalks. All this information (of course I was checked out by

independent examiners and phychologists to see if this were true) with

my medical records helped me win my case.

I also have a problem that no one else I know of with CMT seems to

have--I have a lot of memory loss. I'm having problems typing,

spelling, remembering names, etc. No, I do not have Alzheimer's.

Keep trying, .

Joe

April 7, 2005

In response to everyone trying or who has gotten disability, I'm finally in

the process of writing a letter to " Whom It May Concern " and since I'm

having trouble with my family records since my parents died while I was

still a teenager, I remembered a picture taken when I was about 8 or so with

my parents and my father had a cane. I remember him being a handsome man,

but did wonder why he couldn't do alot of things other dads did. I'm going

to enclose a copy of this with my letter. Point being, anything I can

remember from when I was growing up I assume would help with their decision

whether or not I'm worthy, in their eyes, for disability. It's been almost

exactly a year now since I went to the ER with no feeling in my hand

thinking I had a stroke, then a long depression period, but I know I have to

get my butt in gear and get this done. I'm starting to lose my balance more

at work and blame it on the mats on the floor, but that's not it.

I guess the more you give them from the get go, the better off. My biggest

worry is how to explain how I can work, it's only about 25 hrs a week, even

though I know it's getting harder, then have someone question me about

something they don't understand. Like being between a rock and a hard

place.

Good luck everyone.

April 8, 2005

Thanks Jim,

I think I'm intimidated by people when they look at me and think " How can she be

in pain, she looks normal to me? " ..I need to stand up for myself. My

neurologist has me down as 100% disabled right after she took the 3 hr. nerve

test last year. I would think that's good enough. Thanks again.

April 9, 2005

,

Don't give up, keep applying. I am sure you will eventually be approved. And

once you are your first check will be from the 7th month of the lst

application. It can be very discouraging. Make sure you make a copy of

everything you

fill out. They check those papers over and against each other. That way you

got the same answers to all their questions that they ask 50 differant ways.

Also did you look over and list any of those items that I had sent a while

back of things I have trouble with. If you printed it off, go over that list

again next time you fill out more paper work. It will help. I know, I've been

there.

Elaine

April 10, 2005

,

Tthis is a struggle for many with disabilities. It's like the people who get

yelled at who use handicapped spaces and look perfectly okay, but would get too

exhausted from a variety of diseases if they parked in regular spots. I work

with people with severe mental illnesses.

Although many " appear " mentally ill, many more have no outward appearing

disabilities and face many questions from even family as to how they qualify for

help.

And yes, your neurologist's certifying you as 100% disabled will help

immensely. The hard part is getting her to complete the forms Social

Security and others will send her thoroughly and getting her office

staff to send in records quickly.

Again, good luck.

Jim

April 14, 2005

Geez ,

I don't know if its in the files. I just looked here on my computer and it's

not in mine, I dont know why but its not. It was sent I believe with a heading

of " things I have problems with " .

Elaine

April 16, 2005

Hi ,

It took me 4 years before I finaly recived my SSD the first hearing the judge

didn't even want to look at the info my lawyer got on CMT plus I was 32 at the

time but at the second hearing the judge was more

interested in my CMT and she took the info from my lawyer and I won. But I also

hurt my back at work so I was on workers comp but with WC you only have to prove

you can't do the same job you were doing SSD you have to prove you can't work at

all they even go by how educated you are if you went to collage and have a

degree they take that into consideration. I was a comstruction worker and I

droped out of school in the 9th grade so they take all that into consideration.

Good luck and don't give up I don't know how long you have been fighting but

after you win it's well worth it take it from me after 4 years of fighting to

get it.

Tommy

April 17, 2005

Get employment records where employer states he was or is carring you and that

because of your disease you did 50% less production than co-workers with same

job. Also list all drugs you take, dosage and amount of misery without them.

Call local and national ss #'s and explain disease, make folder and get to

everyone in SSA including director. After I did this I was approved in less than

30 days. Get to know SSA workers and tell all your prediciment. One told me I

was the first to get 100% disability for teeth problems. EDUCATE THEM!!!!

April 19, 2005

:

I sent you some ideas on how to get approved for disability. I was approved 30

days after my 1st application. My file was also sent to a review group,like an

IRS audit, and they changed my actual disability

date to 3 months earlier. I still had to wait 5 months for my first check of

$1446.00 per month but over the next 2 months. I got 3 extra checks besides my

regular monthy check.

I filed as soon as my employer had to let me go and he followed the rules that

stated that I was not to see the letter. Even though I made $32,000.00 a year

the letter had to say I only gave value of less than,I think, $8200.00 per yr at

that time. (2000).

Also I did not do any correspondence by e-mail, I sent every thing in large

padded envelopes marked, OFFICIAL BUSINESS OPEN IMMEDIATELY, stamped in red with

a stamp I went by my old office and borrowed.

I went and saw and called my caseworker so much that I finally got the tel# of

the person who was on the commitee that actually made the decision about my

fate.

I called her so much and flirted and told her how awed I was with her great

responsibility and explained all about my disease, the falling,

unfelt injuries, the pain, the humiliation of not being what I

was befpre, the drugs etc.

She got to think of me as a person and finally told me that I was approved even

though she was not allowed to give out that info

also that I was picked for review. She was in Austin, TX. and the

review was in Baltimore. I sat here in San Angelo, TX for two months

worried sick until I got the official letter.

MY advice is be thorough, charming, persistent and pray alot.JC did more at a

better price than any lawyer can. I wish I could teach you TEXAS respect, charm,

manners and old boy dumb,(really), with but you get the message. GOOD LUCK AND

GOD'S SPEED.

Blanek

September 25, 2005

With the experience I had with SSI and didn't go on the basis of my CMT, it is

very discouraging. Besides all the information you can find with this group, I

would suggest you emphasize HSMN (aka CMT) to them and SPELL it out. Hereditary

Sensor and Motor Neuropathy, meaning it is a slow progession of the nervous

system dying. SSDI has a thing that you must be on your deathbed to receive it.

Good Luck in the days ahead.

Debbie

January 30, 2006

Depending on what state you live in and what you do, it is very difficult to

prove discrimination. The state I live in is a " Right to Work " state, meaning

that it is very non-union, and all employers have the right to fire you for

anything they wish. I got fired once because i stayed at work for 22 straight

hours, even tho ther e was no one else there when any of the shifts changed, and

the state labor board refused to help me. As far as SSD, that is federal, tho

the separate states have Disability determination boards that regulate and

decide who is disabled. RA is on the list of diseases that qualify you as

disabled. My cousin got the first time she applied because she has RA, and she

was only about 20 then. I suggest finding a lawyer who gets paid on a

contingency basis- no-win/no fee. Social Security puts a cap on how much they

get paid to help you get your benefits. Also, if your lawyer isn't no-win, no

fee, being a government case, they are not allowed to charge you more than

25% of the settlement. I believe the SSA office in your area has a list of

lawyers. It is usually at least 6 mos before you hear anything at all about your

case after you file, because they are always so backed up. I have been fighting

for it for 2 years now, and just had my hearing in Dec., then the judge decided

I needed another eye exam. It will be another month or more before I have a

decision, but the way I understand it, most of the people who go to hearing get

their benefits. So start with the phone book.

Sorry such a long post. Good Luck!!

Jane

So Shy <so_shy234@...> wrote:

I was hoping that maybe someone might be able to offer some advice to

me. I have just applied for social security disability. I had been

working part time for the last couple of years and prior to that full

time for the same company for several years. Since my diagnosis of RA

almost 2 1/2 years ago I was constantly being treated horribly by my

boss and my co-workers. I finally couldn't take it anymore and I

walked off my job last September. I've spoken to numerous lawyers who

have said there isn't anything I can do because I have no proof that it

had anything to do with my disability. Needless to say, I started

looking for another job but soon realized that I have so many

limitations that it'd be difficult to find anything that would be

willing to accomodate me. I have days that I can't use this hand or

the other. Sometimes I have difficulty talking, other days walking,

not to mention being tired, having to take naps, and if I get an

infection being taken off my meds(enbrel & methotrexate)then having to

start over again. It's not all the time but it is at least once a week.

I've talked to my doctor about social security and he says I may have

difficulty getting it cause I'm so young....I'm 36.

Can anyone give me some advice what to do? I'd appreciate any

suggestions.

Sincerely,

o and missed some work due to dealing with side effects of medication

and lack of mobility. It was shortly after being diagnosed and having

limitations that my position was cut to part time....coincidence, can't

say that it was. I tolerated quite a bit from my employer for the next

couple of years and last may I was hospitalized for a week because of

extreme pain in my hip and the inability to walk. September last year I

was taken off of all my arthritis medication because of an infr

January 30, 2006

All I can say is good luck am finally near the end of this mess myself and it

has taken three years. They said I was too young and I was 46.

My best suggestion is , realize this will take awhile, and get a lawyer who

specializes in SS/ My will work with no money up front and 25 percent of

settlement/

I use binder and binder in New York. in WI