Re: Work? SSDI NOTES

[Guest guest]

Olnisa,

You have faith in your own experiences which is propelling you to apply for

Social Security Disability. You are embracing your own reality which is a huge

obstacle for most people to overcome. Yet, you have done it. Bravo!

Social Security Disability is the hardest work you will ever do. This is

especially true for people who counted on their jobs for identity, for money,

for contributing to society.

The key to obtaining Social Security Disability is answering every objection

SSDI may have to your claim that you cannot work.

That concept of never working again was so hard for my sister to accept, her

answers to SSA's questions about what she could do included descriptions of

everything she could do with misplaced pride.

The thing is, my sister did not include all the accommodations she had to make

in order to do all the things she was so proud of doing despite her severe

disabilities.

Finally, her 4th lawyer convinced her to include her many accommodations to

doing anything and she was granted SSI benefits.

Here is a link to some articles and Q & As about applying for Social Security

Disability:

http://www.cfsnova.com/ssdinotes.html

and,

SSA's CFS ruling: SSR 99-2p

http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di/01/SSR99-02-di-01.html

and,

Myths about Disability claims from a lawyer who helped write the above CFS

ruling:

http://www.cfsnova.com/sp-Lambros.html

toni

cf-alliance.tripod.com/

from iPad

> I'm new to this. I have other conditions that are preventing me from working.

The fibro and cfs symptoms I have are only icing on the cake.

>

> What do you do about your life?

>

> It's so hard to get disability. And such a long process. I'm in the middle of

it, but I'm told I won't get it; I'm educated and only 40.

>

> I don't know what to do about, well, survival.

>

> My family is not very understanding, and although they are helping me pay rent

now, they are cutting me off in a month or so. Even so, it's not enough.

Everything is falling apart--overdue bills and stuff. I'm single, and with

health problems, it seems twice as hard to meet someone, so i expect to be

single, well, indefinitely.

>

> It's difficult (read: next to impossible) for me to live with other ppl

because of my health problems (its complicated, but pls just take my word on

this.) And I can't afford to live on my own. The added stress isn't helping.

>

> Where do I go from here?

[Guest guest]

I am only guessing--but, it seems like the internist would have more credibility

than the GP. Have you been to any OTHER type of doctor?  (like rheumy,

psychiatrist, etc).  But, it would be good to get BOTH of these docs to tell

you that they will support your claim.....and then give them a copy of your

limitations...and maybe even your application.  I also used

my psychiatrist (he was prepared to delineate all of the psychological issues

(depression, loss of self worth, etc etc) that he saw in me ....but, the SSA

never called him.  They only called my rheumy--and did not send me to ANY of

their doctors.  (thank goodness).....I DO believe that because my doctor had my

application---AND, all of my limiting factors that I prepared for her....AND the

fact that she supported my disability....that she was able to give them PLENTY

of info when they called her at the office.  SHE WAS READY---I made it easy for

her.  Do all that you can to prepare

your doctor---have them keep the application in your chart...as well as any

other paperwork that you think might be helpful to him/her. My rheumy had the

personality of a snail.....SO, it wasn't her CHARM that won them over!

Lynn

________________________________

Subject: Re: Re: Work? SSDI NOTES

 

Good!

How often is regularly?

I could use my GP or my internist.... But I've also heard that since they are

not specialists, they may be discounted...

> You really only need a one or two doctors who see you regularly----ask THEM if

they will support your claim for disability when you give them the list!

[Guest guest]

By chance, I just found out that the lawyers sent out PCE (physical capacity

evaluation) to a couple of doctors. The lawyer and her staff already think I am

micromanaging things, and told me explicitly NOT to follow up with the doctors.

But I don't want my forms to slip through the cracks, or just be filled out

without proper significance of my limitations. Unfortunately, the PCE is biased

toward physical work, which I can do--when I am awake. So every answer is: " It

depends. " And I don't know how a doctor would write in something like " She can

lift 20 lbs, but if she is fatigued and sleep-deprived, she'll knock things over

and drop things " I don't think that is a valid answer, and if it shows up on

all the questions, I assume the doctor will look " coached " by me, even if it's

all true! I would actually present better to a judge on a Mental RFC form, but

I know those are for pdocs, not internists and general physicians.

I was thinking of setting up appointments with these doctors, now that I know

they have the PCE form. It might be a good time to give them a list of my

limitations or something to go by. (I can't give them a couple of my initial

functioning form, because I didn't keep a copy of things that early on, and I

don't think the lawyer will look kindly on me asking for a copy! I have no idea

what I wrote, it was so long ago.) But I could make a list of talking points

about how my conditions affect my life. Someone also said it is best to have a

doctor fill out the forms with you. My doctors have absolutely no idea about

how long I lie in bed, or am fatigued, or can't wake up. Should I just tell

them? Should I make an appointment and ask them to fill out the forms with me?

Or just let things happen, even though the forms are not designed to elicit

supportive statements in my case....? I can't imagine how amazingly awkward it

would be to fill these things out together and sit there and say I can't do

anything.

I am getting really confused as to when I am being diligent and having common

sense with these processes knowing that things get lost, etc., and when I am

being micromanaging and overly hyper over details I shouldn't worry about. I

know my lawyer things I am going overboard and are frustrated with me. And

frankly, I think a lot of my doctors are annoyed as well. I am not feeling

better, and am frustrated with them for that, and now I feel like I am bothering

them for paperwork.

Whatever you are giving to your attorney about your limitations in daily life,

etc---you need to make sure that your doctor gets a copy.

-Olnisa