Disability

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I have been on no mail for quite a while now. I developed back

problems and have had a respiratory infection for the last 2 months.

I am on my 4th round of antibiotics and doing much better now.

I'm going to go back to getting mail and see if I can keep up.

I wanted to post to those of you who may be trying to get Social

Security Disability. I have been out of work since March of 99. I

applied for disability and was turned down twice. I hired an attorney

and was told that S.S. was so behind it would take a long time before

I would get a hearing. My Rheumy felt I was entitled to disability

and he would help me. My lawyer had him write a letter to S.S. and

also sent my Doc a funtional ability form. My Rheumy wrote the letter

and did the functional report. Two days after Soc. Sec. received the

info from my Doc they called me to let me know they set a date for my

hearing. I had my hearing on July 10th and was told it would take

months to get the results. Well, I got the letter yesterday telling

me I was awarded full disability and disability medical insurance.

I was also told by my lawyer that RP does not fit into the criteria

for Soc. Sec. disability. The judge awarded me disability under the

category of mixed connective tissue disease. My award was based on

the damage th RP and all of the meds have done to my body over the

years.

I just want to tell you not to give up if you have been turned down

or are thinking of applying. Having the support of your Doctors can

make a huge difference.

Love to you all,

Sandy