Good thoughts if anyone has time.....

As some of you know I am going through the hassles with Social Security to try and get on disability. Got the expected first rejection. Then got some more paperwork which the lawyer filled out with my help. Tomorrow at 2PM I am to see a doctor for a physical and some x-rays. (Not sure what good the x-rays will be, the major problem is inflammation of the nerves. sigh.) Any way, as the lawyer says, he hates to see me in pain, but if I do have a major episode while seeing the doctor, it would be helpful. (LOL and grimacing at the same time.) And any positive thoughts headed my way would be wonderfully appreciated. (Just being able to have a certain amount of money coming in each month would be soooooo nice. It would help a lot of the stress, which aggravates the pain, and so it goes. )

Thanks, Pati, in Phx

Reply to
Pati C.
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Oh my goodness, Pati, I do hope you have a very good disability lawyer. I used to know one who whipped the SS attorneys just for the fun of it . . . but most don't have any idea how / where to begin. Wishing you the very best, Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

Pati, I know what you're going through. I applied for disability and was turned down presumptively the first time. When I went back, I had a letter from my physician stating that I'd never make a dependable employee again. I also have nerve problems (pain) and also cognitive issues. Who knows exactly why -- they're real. They sent me to a psychiatrist. I will just say this, don't go out of your way to overfunction. I couldn't have if I'd wanted to as I was having a really bad day. But my level of distress and confusion pretty much nailed his recommendation.

You don't need a lawyer until you've been turned down a second time. If your physician is behind you and will write a letter, you have most of the battle won. Stress that you can't predict when you can function andwhen you can't. I don't think theycare about us, but do care that we can't tell employers when we can and can't work.

If you have nerve issues, then xrays sound weird. Make sure you get something to the disability board that says you have nerve problems and constant or unpredictable pain that will make you an undependable employee. A long list of your meds is good. A letter from any medical or professional person is good.

It sounds horrible, but your job is to convince them that you are permanently useless. WooHoo, huh? not exactly fun, but I do wish you luck and will be with you in thoughts. Considering the amount of taxes wasted on bizarre and unnecessary items, you'd think they would be a bit more understanding to those of us who want so much to work and can't anymore.

Sunny sending thoughts and prayers your way

Reply to
Sunny

Holding good thoughts for you, Pati.

This can serve as an example of the saying "walk a mile in my moccasins", doesn't it? If they would/could, they would then have no problem granting you the disability rating.

G> As some of you know I am going through the hassles with Social Security

Reply to
Ginger in CA

Hi Pati,

You have all my good wishes for a positive outcome with SS. I also have heard that most people get turned down the first time. Unfortunately, you have to fight the battle. Good luck!

Reply to
Pauline

My thoughts and prayers are with you, to prove your case, hopefully without having to fall out in front of the doctor.;-)

Reply to
Debi Matlack

Really hope you can get some joy of all this, Pati. I have had friends here go through the 'hoops'. They are not at all kind; and then you see and hear about all the fraud that goes on within the benefit system. Makes you want to scream. Good luck. . In message , Pati C. writes

Reply to
Patti

Prayers coming your way.

Reply to
Jane Zoerb

You got em Pati.......

Reply to
Cindy Schmidt

Best of luck, Pati!

Reply to
Sandy

piggybacking here. ditto from me Pati. Taria

Sandy wrote:

Reply to
Taria

Good Luck, Pati.

It's a similar situation in the UK - where I applied for a disability benefit after a severe injury, unless you have something that is clearly and indisputably a disability you get turned down, but the rate of sucess at appeal is high, over 90%, only a subset of people appeal, so there probably is some element of self selection, but there must be an awful lot of people out there who get turned down, but who meet the criteria. I knew I did, so I went to appeal, which meant getting hold of all the paperwork, I found that both the doctor who assessed me and the forms my GP had filled out ticked all the right boxes, there just seemed to be some kind of institutional rejection process unless it was very clear cut (double amputation, paraplegia, that kind of thing). Unfortunately benefit fraud is a big problem, but when two independent doctors agreed, the mind boggles!

The nature of the whole process is having to be very clear about what you can't do and the negative affects of attempting to do some things, which is a very negative thing to do, which makes it even more distressing when having exposed yourself so much, you are still turned down. It's sad, as I know a few people who clearly should qualify, but don't even apply because the process of thinking that way and comparing how different it is from "normal", to only face rejection because of it is too distressing.

It's possible that the tests they do may not show anything like what actually describes how you function. I knew what the basic tests were, mostly reflexes and range of motion, I have normal reflexes and the vast majority of the time I have (at least) normal range of motion and I never said anything but that in the explanations of why walking hurt, but those tests had to be done and were cited by the civil servant in the denial of the claim.

So you definitely have my good thoughts because I know what a heart wrenching process it is to go through.

Cheers Anne

Reply to
Anne Rogers

You're right Anne. The "exam" was mostly range of motion and such. While my range of motion is good for most people, it is sadly much less than it used to be. sigh. As for reflexes....mine might be described as too good. Tap the arm with the little hammer and everything jumps. same with most other points. My whole body reacts to pressure stimulus, especially when the pressure is a small area. The cat walking across my legs can be absolutely excruciating. As for the x-rays. Well, even the doctor said he didn't know. But they did include low back x-rays. That is a problem that goes back more than

25 years. And continues. sigh.

The worst part is that I hate to admit weakness and hate to admit that I need help with things, or that I just can't do things that I used to take for granted.

Now it is wait and see what the SS folks say when they get the reports.

Thanks every> Good Luck, Pati.

Reply to
Pati C.

On their way. Hopefully they don't result in too much pain and discomfort, yet do the trick to get you approved.

Reply to
Charlotte

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