looking into disability

[Guest guest]

Elaina,

I'm on SSD but I got hurt at work and get workers comp

but the CMT had something to do with my injury and the

symptoms from my CMT got worse. Your best bet is to

get a lawyer and hope you get a good judge it took me

4 years and 2 hearings to finally get it. IT my be

easier to get it now the SSD judges didn't know much

about CMT that was 8 years ago. Make sure you have

allot of doctors report and documentations if you get

a good lawyer they will research it and do a good job.

My lawyer had a real hard time and it can get a Little

expensive you need doctors reports and medical info

and most doctors charge you for copy's. I needed this

one report and it was about 500.00. IF your in long

island I will give you the name and number of my

lawyer.

Tommy

[Guest guest]

Elaina,

This is the website that explains everything you need to know.

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Hi Elaina,

I looked into getting SSD when I was 62.5. I had a desk job and

realistically could have stuck it out for another three years even

though my legs were either ice cold or swelling, my balance was non-

existant without aids, I was falling more, my wrist, arms and

shoulders ached, my grip was extremely weak and I was experiencing

shortness of breath. The deciding factor to quit was based on the

test results when I pursued medical reasons for the shortness of

breath. All of the other symptoms were " normal and expected " for a

person with CMT, which I knew was progressive and I knew there was no

treatment or cure for, so I accepted my limitations and went about

creating a fruitful life for myself in accordance with my abilities.

I ignored the CMT for the most part ... it slowed me down but in no

way put on the brakes. I learned to adapt to my situation.

I had friends who suggested I apply for SSD in my 30's, but I was

able to work and needed to become financially secure. Had I listened

to them, I expect I would have a real tough time paying rent today.

The EMG/NCV test results showed that my phrenic nerve was non-

responsive and that the diaphragm muscle was working at only 20%. My

diaphragm is also elevated which severly affects lung volume. Based

on these results, I decided it was prudent to have what semi-quality

time I had left to devote to ME and to get in the traveling that I

want to do. I lost 80% of diaphragm muscle in 60 years ... how long

before the remaining 20% is viable? It is a pure guessing game.

My local SS office advised me to apply for State Disability at the

same time that I applied for SSD immediately AFTER I stopped working.

SSD takes 5 months to make a ruling and the state payments would fill

in the gap. What they did not tell me was that SSD would offset any

state disability payments and permanently reduce the SSD monthly

benefit amount.

I was notified in 5 months that my application had been accepted and

was told the benefit amount. I declined to accept the SSD and

elected to take early SS benefits instead as I would receive about

$200 a month more than SSD. I had originally been told by SS that

SSD would be about $200 more than SS (otherwise I wouldn't have

bothered to apply). SS benefits are based on a percentage of

earnings ... not sure what SDI is based on if one has little or no

earnings under their belts.

I just returned from a fabulous cruise to the South Pacific, New

Zealand and Australia. I would never have been able to afford this

if I had gone on SSD in my 30's. I am single so am the sole source

of my support ... those of you with other breadwiners in the family

usually have more options.

Listen to your body, do not overtax it, but keep active enough to

support longevity of the abilities that you do have. And think about

how your future life will be affected by the decisions that you make

today. Jumping on the SSD bandwagon too early may not be in your

best interest. That is not to say that there are those whose

physical condition really leaves them little choice.

I hope this helps.

Rascal Rider Ruth

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info!

Bobbie

[Guest guest]

Tommy,

Thanks for your knowledge. I'm in Upstate NY (we have a ton of lawyers) but

I was just curious. I'm only 38 with a lot of payments going out each month.

(too much month at the end of the money). So I know I won't be getting

disability very soon.

Elaina.

[Guest guest]

Ruth,

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I know I have a long time

to go before I even attempt disability and the thought of having to be on

disability angers me. Not because it's a bad thing, but because I have always

been active and sometimes I can't stand the thought of not getting around as

easy as I have been able to.

But right now it seems that CMT is really whooping my butt. I am exhausted

after work. Just last night I could barely move.

Sometimes the pain and aches are so much that all I can do is lay down and try

to be still. But I'm up every morning at 5 for work so the bank man won't take

my truck.

Thanks again,

Elaina