Your SSDI award

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

As I posted on the message board, I'm thrilled for you that you

got your SSDI, and especially on the first try! For those of us that

didn't, and are awaiting news on our appeals, or judge hearings,

hearing about someone else's success is bittersweet...but I

shouldn't despair. I got one of the PAI's recommended

attorneys after I was turned down initially, and he's reassured

me that sometimes there's no rhyme or reason to why one

person gets it the first time around, when another doesn't. That

one examiner may be more sympathetic than another, etc.

Do you mind if I ask a couple questions about your application,

though? If you don't want to answer, I'll understand, and don't

feel you have to unless you want to.

When did you first apply?

Did you use an attorney?

What did you list as disabiling impairments?

Did they ever ask you to send in any additional verifications?

Did the SSDI ever call you, and if so, what did they ask you?

What was your occupation?

How old are you?

Do you know if any SSDI representative ever directly contacted

any of your sources, like your doctor or anyone who may have

substanciated your disability?

I know it's a lot of questions, but I'm just trying to figure out the

system and how it works. I spent MONTHS preparing, and hand

delivered over 300 pages of doctor, hospital, lab and diagnositic

reports, plus two cover letters from my doctor and a personal

friend, along with my own four page interpretation of events, etc. I

essentially did all the work for them, there was nothing left to

collect, yet I was still turned down. They never even contacted my

doctor for any verification. I had five different disabling

impairments that met their qualifying criteria, and it was as

though they never even read through all the material. Plus, they

even " gave " me a medical condition, " chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease " , which I don't have and never mentioned!

So you can see why I'm disappointed with my first try. And now

with my latest problems, I know I'll not be able to work again. I

wouldn't even hire me.....hahaha!

You must feel a great relief, especially if things aren't going well

on the home front. I was in a situation similar to yours in my first

marriage. It was very frightening, and such a negative part of my

life that it ended up making me evidence all sort of health

problems.

If you could help me with my questions, I'd really appreciate it. If

you ever need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to bend my ear,

either! Something like what you're going through can be really

tough and sometimes it helps just to be able to talk to an outside

friend.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

hhessgriffeth@...