I Got It!

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Last Friday I had my disability hearing before the judge and here's what

happened:

I was really nervous and was in the middle of the " brain fog " when I went

into the hearing, even though I had gotten up two hours early so that I

would be awake and alert at the hearing. My heart was pounding, my head

was floating, and my hands were sweaty. I felt like a kid who is sick but

has no temperature so you know your parents won't believe you when you say

you are sick and want to stay home from school <g>

I entered the hearing room accompanied by my attorney (whose performance,

or should I say lack of as far as I'm concerned had me even feeling more

bummed out and dis-heartened), the ALJ, the VE and a clerk. The ALJ and I

sat at opposite ends of the table facing each other. He had my file open

in front of him and was looked pretty thick! The first thing out of his

mouth was to ask me how I pronounced my last name, the next words were,

" Mister Kossart has serious medical problems and I am going to find him

disabled. " My lawyer gasped and I jerked my head up and mumbled a thank

you. He asked me a couple questions for clarification purposes, and then

said he would need to re-ask those questions on the record and to answer

the way I just had. He instructed the clerk to turn on the recorder and he

asked, and I answered, and he gave his " official " decision of disabled " due

to the medical evidence " , or something to that effect. He also supported

my claim of initial onset date of August 1, 2000, which means they have to

give me back pay from that date.

I again thanked him but he said to be sure to thank my attorney who had

done so much hard work on my behalf. I had a couple of sarcastic answers

to that one, but of course, kept them to myself! So we walked out and met

my wife who was going to testify as a witness, and told her we were

finished. She skeptically asked, What do you mean by that? " and my

attorney said that the ALJ had ruled in my favor. So I went home and

basically collapsed onto the bed and slept for a solid hour. I am so happy

and relieved to be over this that I am almost afraid I will " jinx "

something if I let myself rejoice and celebrate a bit - and I'm not a

superstitious person!

There are still some concerns over future medical coverage, etc. but at

this point I have basically chosen the lesser of two evils, so to speak,

seeing as I don't have the ideal alternative of being able to go back to

work full time. Some of you emailed me off list with support and

encouragement and I appreciate your kind words and helpful comments. I

hope this " announcement " can serve as my response to all of them who wrote

me. At this point I am trying to get used to the idea that I am " retired "

at only 49 years old! Celine has been very supportive even though the

major burden is now on her. At least now I feel I am making a

contribution, however small, to the family rather than just being a total

leach. There is still this macho " I'm the man and am " supposed " to support

my family " thing you know! - It's a guy thing! lol

Thanks again for all of your help, prayers, best wishes, and support during

this difficult time over the past few weeks.

Kossart - RA, Type-2 Diabetes