Re: Work?

August 1, 2012

Olnisa, it's true disability is hard to get. But I'll tell you what I know. I

think some folks today are receivng it for fibro or cfs. I am not however.

I have had several accidents and been in treatments with chiropractors and

neurosurgeons for years. But before you ask..I don't have some particular

unusual injury. Just many small and medium ones. I had a pinched nerve that was

so bad I couldn't walk. But finally a chiropractor helped that.

My MRIs showed only that I had severely herniateed discs in my lower back and

some arthritis in my neck and back. However, I received disabilty because of the

back injury and pain...the judge was nice enough and willing to give it to me.

But only if I agreed to accept payments after the date of my worst accident.

The earlier date from my fibro and pinched nerve were not allwed in.

This was my 2nd attempt... I was denied the 1st time...but if it helps to know,

so was my brother-in-law who was dying of a rare heart disease( he's now passed

on) and my own brother who has an inoperable brain tumor.

My brother-in-law did get it the 2nd time and so did my brother.

So, all this to say I was lucky I got it on *my* appeal.

You need a doctor who understands your conditions and knows you can't work and

is willing to say so for your medical report. If there are other illnesses that

are more acceptable(i.e. More well-known/ not controversial) have your doctor

focus on *that* one. (or those, if there are several)

The more doctors that agree the better, but one that understands what's going on

and will write the report is all you really need.

The medical report is everything.

Later, I found a rheumatologist that helped me a lot and understood me right

away, changed some of my meds and sent me to other specialists as needed.

But at first even the pain mgt specialist's report didnt help me enough...I had

to appeal it and this time I utilized a good attorney.

The attorneys won't pick up the case unless they believe they can help so it's a

good thing if they do.

I too, had/have illness partially stemming from having worked in not 1 but 3

basements, one with a garage over us,constant cigarette smoking around me, and

very little ventilation , the 3rd basement even worse, (a City office building

no less).

That one was never designed for a work area, but for storage... I became ill

almost as soon as I got there.

I was also accidently sprayed in the face with industrial bug poison, and then

became depressed because I couldn't transfer out.

It was suggested by someone else that I bring *all* of these things into my

case for disability.

But I did not, as much of all that I just described was hard to prove, as well

as covered up by the city I worked for.

I had no money and was sooo very tired that I settled.

I have semi-permanent disabilty which means my case is checked up on every so

often..but otherwise I had nothing and I have something now.

If you have questions, or this is all too confusing, email me privately, only so

we don't drive everyone else here to boredom talking about it. ;-)

OK? :-)

hang in there.

K.

Work?

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?

August 2, 2012

First of all: Don't give up hope. Then get yourself an attorney or go through a

place called " Allsup " to get your disability. Remember that there are a lot of

us out there and you can get a lot of info (and support) from us. It doesn't

matter that you are 40. It can strike at any age.

Stay strong and Blessings.

August 3, 2012

Olnisa,

Yes--that is the hard part--what do you do with your life???

I applied for SSDI when I was 51...and it was granted in three months time. I

went to an attorney specializing in this BEFORE I even filed----just to get the

right buzz words into the application--my doctors were all in support of my

filing...I gave them copies of what I sent in my application---so, that they

could respond if called. They DID call only one of my

doctors--(my rheumy)....and then it was approved--did not have to see ANY of

their doctors...I was quite amazed at how easy the process was. BUT, I did a

lot of research BEFORE even filing.....

Is your claim on appeal?

It is my understanding that fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome applications

ARE getting approved upon first review more and more often. I am now 61.....so,

my fast track to disability was ten years ago---and now that they understand

MORE about the disease--it seems like it should be approved quickly.

Send me a private e-mail if you want any info---I hope that your claim moves as

quickly as mine did through the system. I learned that there is a RIGHT time to

file....Nov/Dec are good months--I filed in Nov and had my SSDI approval letter

in Jan. I have two MA Degrees and the doctor just needs to tell SS that I

cannot stand for 8 hours---cannot SIT for 8 hours---cannot be dependable---have

times when my cognitive skills are " off " ...and that I couldn't even handle a job

at Mcs. That is all that they care about--is that there isn't ANY work

that you could do. With out symptoms...our flairs at undeterminedÂ times, etc.

etc....makes us perfect candidates for SSDI. It was hard for me to admit---but,

I was NO LONGER a dependable employee.

Lynn

August 3, 2012

Do you have a social security attorney? I was approved at 40.

Any questions ask, I'm not shy. Take care of you, you're important to me.

Big gentle huggles,

Di (Dimntd) in Feasterville-Trevose, PA, USA )

Be the person your pets think you are.

August 9, 2012

Olnisa, the judge needs to know how you're supporting yourself and if you'll be

able to, when/if you receive S.S. disability.

My lawyer talked a lot more than I did, though I had to answer some things.

Interestingly, when I first talked to the lawyer assigned to me, she shot a lot

of questions at me in a curt sort of way. One esp was about how I'm a recovered

alcoholic; at that time about 7 yrs ago, I was sober 28 yrs. My new lawyer shot

questions about that in an accusing or suspicious sort of way. I was stunned

that anyone would talk about my drinking when my last drink was (then) 28 1/2

years! And I did reply defensively.

Turns out *after* I became upset by questions that made no sense to me, the

lawyer said to be prepared, because the judge will ask me things of that

nature.(she'd asked her questions in that suspicious manner to see how I'd

respond!)

So I made sure when I got to the hearing that I was calm and centered.

I knew to expect some questions I didnt like or think were pertinent.

But as it turns out, the judge did *not* ask me about my past drinking. If he

did at all it was a simple non-judgemental question and he moved on.

But I'm telling you about these just in case there's anything similar about your

living situation, finances or past that might be thrown at you. You don't have

to look great or anything, dress as you do normally to be as comfortable as

possible..not pajamas obviously, and of course, as you'd do for any other

appointment, be clean.

But wear whatever you'd drag yourself to the store in- a house dress, sweat

pants, flats, or sneakers...whatever it usually is that you wear so as for you

to sit or stand at all comfortably for 20 minutes.

..

Now, I don't know if you have any large debts or high rent you owe, and how

exactly that is figured into it(if at all).

I know I think it'd be unfair to deny someone if he or she couldnt pay their

bills with disability. But I don't know if that will figure into it in a good or

bad way, honestly.

Maybe someone else here would know about that side of things?

I just know he asked me if my brother and I just had to pay the taxes on our

house and heating and I said yes.

The lawyer also asked me to explain to the judge how it hurt to sit or stand for