Re: Social Security Disability to Chris, Suzi and anyone else

[Guest guest]

Suzi wrote:

>I don't want to discourage people in applying for SSDI....I just

know that in my case, I didn't get approval and I had support from

three doctors working to help me. I am not giving up though...I am

still fighting.<

Suzi,

And you need to continue to do so! When I initially applied, I had

just gotten out of the hospital after having diabetic ketoacidosis,

losing 30 pounds, having my pancreas burn out from chronic

pancreatitis and also becoming a type 1 brittle diabetic.

My list of impairments were:

* Chronic Pancreatitis with Pancreatic Insufficiency

* Malnutrition and Pancreatic Pseudocysts

* Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1, with Diabetic Ketoacidosis

* Hypoglycemic and Hyperglycemic Episodes caused by Brittle Diabetes

* Osteoporis of hips, Osteopenia of spine

You would think that this would be enough for an approval. There

were over 400 pages of medical records, lab reports, office visits

and hospitalization documentation to back up all of the claims. There

were personal letters verifying my disability from three doctors.

I was denied at the first application, then the initial appeal for

reconsideration the second time. I hired a disability attorney after

the first denial. My case finally was assigned a hearing date before

a judge, and the judge ruled in favor of my disability five days

prior to the actual court hearing. It took two years, from the date

of my first application until I received my first payment.

So, whoever is in process, waiting for a hearing, waiting for a first

or second judgement, or considering applying.....all I can say is to

be dedicated to your cause and keep trying. DON'T GIVE UP when you

get a denial, or two....keep at it, IT CAN BE DONE!!

The judge wrote me a long letter discussing all my impairments, his

opinion about them, and his impressions of my application. He did

acknowledge that the second letter my GI wrote to him was one of the

most influential documents out of all the papers that helped him to

rule in favor of my appeal.... That letter was one that my doctor

asked me to write, for him to review, approve and sign....lol!

If anyone has any questions about SSDI, or if I can help in any way,

please send me an email to my personal address:

hhessgriffeth@..., or post it on the board. I'd love to help

anyone who needs it.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

Bluffton, SC

SC State & SE Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and should

not be substituted for professional medical consultation.