Advice... I am thinking of changing careers, going back to school.... LONG!

August 15, 2008

I used to be a nurse... years ago. Life got busy with my children, I

quit work to be with them. I spent time in classrooms, I created a

childrens music group, I loved all of it. I even spent some time

educating my children myself. I now have two University students,

they have done very well for themselves. Scholarships, etc. One is an

English major, one is a music major. I still have 3 kids still at

home, I am just as dedicated to them... I'm there mommy and I want to

continue giving them my all, like I did my other two.

Nursing is a flexible career.... but with my RA, well you know.

Immunosuppressant drugs.... being exposed to things isn't a good

idea. Not to mention... some days I feel almost okay! Most days.... I

can do things for a while but then I am exhausted and achy... and I

just hurt. Most days my hands are just stiff... others days they

hurt. Once or twice a week, I feel sick enough I need to be in bed

for part to all of the day. I was on Sulfasalazine and

Hydroxychloroquin, but my tests were never normal. They discontinued

it... being off of it I discovered that the pain was so horrible..

and the RA has spread to my hips and shoulders now. My hips always

hurt. So now I am on mtx injections, and I have started Embrel. It

has been a week.... the first day after the shot I felt HORRIBLE. It

has gotten better... I need to give it a few weeks.

Back to my career.... I don't think nursing is an option for me. I

need something flexible. I thought of teaching... English and History

are a passion of mine.

I also do genealogy.... it is a hobby that I just love. I have helped

others with theirs, too, and enjoyed it. I have discovered that our

university here has a BA in it, as well as several other

certifications. I can do this!!!! It is perfect.... flexibility, I

can make some money to help my kids in school, I can work with people

again, I can do something I love.

But funding... I don't have the money. I was asking my doctor about

this today, she thinks I would qualify for some sort of disabilty. I

have NEVER thought of myself as disabled yet. I can still walk when I

am on my drugs. Though, taking stairs is interesting! I have to lean

against the wall and sliiiiiiide down the wall to make it downstairs,

or to even take the one step off my porch when leaving my house! My

sons like to " help " me down them, making me laugh all the way!

Do I apply? What does " disability " mean? What does it take

to " qualify " Does the fact that my illness makes it so I sometimes

can't work? (How DOES one insert an NG tube, or even start an IV,

when their hands don't work? What if I feel so sick, or suddenly

start hurting so much I can't finish a shift?) But our Dodge here, he

does it....

Anyway, any thoughts out there? Any one else been at this place?

Thanks.

August 16, 2008

, I recently won my Social Security Disability case.

First, I suggest you find an attorney that handles these cases almost

exclusively. They will get a portion of your award, but they get nothing if

you lose.

Second, make sure that you have the support of your doctors. You can't win

without a good medical history...or should I say, a " bad " medical history.

Third, there are specific requirements and you can read about these at

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/ and also take a look at

<http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/> http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/ for

more information. You need to have worked for specific periods of time so

if you haven't worked in many years, check that first.

I belong to an on-line group regarding the subject and there was just a

discussion about those on SSDI going back to school. It's a sort of touchy

issue since if you are well enough to go to school, study, do homework,

etc., then perhaps you are well enough to be working and are not entitled to

SSDI.

And just because you can't insert a tube into someone doesn't mean that they

wouldn't consider you able to do some sort of other work. One man said that

he was actually told that he should apply for a job sitting in front of a

security monitor all day. I've heard some unbelievable stories!

I was very fortunate that I won my case quickly..I was totally shocked that

I did. I saw the attorney in February and my decision just came through at

the beginning of August. A very large percentage of people do not win on

the application and have to appeal. My attorney told me that if I lost, an

appeal would take about 18 months. There are people that have been trying

for years. It is, however, retroactive so if and when you do win, you get

all the back benefits.

I am sure I am not the only one here with experience with SSDI, but if there

are any specific questions you have, I'll be glad to " chat " with you

off-list.

Dorothy

dorv@...

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of brendabennion

Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2008 1:11 AM

Subject: [ ] Advice... I am thinking of changing careers, going

back to school.... LONG!