Social Security Disability Hearing

[Guest guest]

Hi, Norma -

What a grueling, exhausting ordeal it must be to pursue SSI disability. I

haven't tried because the experiences of others I've known who have persevered

twice or three times to get this benefit seem so daunting. So I really applaud

you not only for your persistence, but for the insight you've shown in

dealing with the judges, doctors, etc.

Severe pain and disability can be, at times, virtually invisible to those

who've never lived with it, so I can only imagine the frustration involved in

appealing these denials. There's an old saying, " The third time's a charm, " and

I hope your next attempt will result in your SSI.

Wishing you all the best of luck and health,

[Guest guest]

Norma:

You know, I feel lucky that I was able to tell the secretary that I thought

my case would go on its merits and my medical records. I also told her that

I was unable to travel because I had no license, they had been revoked

because of my bad vision. I went out because of being blind. The chronic

pain illness came later but I have been told could also be a contributing

factor to my blindness. Other Lupus patients I have spoke to also have

vision issues. I have had two doctors ask me if the lupus caused my

blindness. I didn't even know at the time that lupus caused eye problems.

I definitely found out.

Anyhow, you know, I have been reading and rereading that story " Spoon " that

was posted on here not to long ago. The irony of it and how it exactly

explains how my day and I am sure most of yours too, goes just is uncanny.

Maybe it would help to print a copy of that story and take it along too.

I printed it for my husband. I had to do a copy then paste into Word

because the website print cut off a lot of the print.

I also sent it to my friends and family. You would not believe the replies

and responses I have had since then. They had no idea. They had no clue.

No one knew how hard it was for me to just get dressed and go to the grocery

store let alone go out for a full day. My days of spending all day out and

about are over. My body just can't do it.

As for the lady at the employment agency, don't let her get you down. I

think one of their hiring practices is to put a hateful attitude question on

their employment application and whoever scores the highest gets the job. I

despise people who don't even try to understand.

Just a suggestion, I have mentioned it on here before, but you might want to

get one of your local congressman involved. I know several who have done it

and their claims went through without a hitch.

My prayers are with you.

Sam

*************************************************************

Norma and the disability hearing.

[Guest guest]

Hi Norma,

I'm so sorry to hear all that you've recently been through. You have

more courage than me. I cancelled my last appt. with the SS office

to apply for the disabilty b/c I don't feel strong enough to go

through all of the hassles that they put you through and I know I'll

be denied. Plus, I need money now, not 1-3 years from now. I'd be

homeless by then. It makes me SO incredibly angry that people can

come in from another country, who are totally healthy, and they can

get everything for free! Those people don't even try to get work.

We're really sick and in pain, which leads to depression and major

financial problems and yet just b/c we " look okay " we're denied any

help at all. I have detailed documentation of every doctor and

specialist I've been to. Every test I've ever had done and it's

results. Jobs that I've lost due to the horrid pain, etc... And when

I've tried to get assistance before (3-4 times before!), I'm always

denied. I've been given so many assanign excuses. One excuse was

that I'd already made too much money in that year. Another one they

tell me is that, " You have a skill where you can make a lot of money,

so go out and make it. " Another: " I have a car that is a 1998, but

very nice, and I could sell that for money. " Another: yada, yada,

yada...

In November of 2000, I'd moved to Chesapeake VA for a job that fell

through and then I ended up with no income and no health insurance. I

fought for any kind of assistance and was denied there too. They did

tell me of a clinic I could go to that was free for the 'underserved

and un-insured. " I went to this clinic and they made you stand

outside, in the frigid cold and in the dark. When the doors opened,

they only would see the first 20 people in line. I came in at 21-23

usually. In addition to not getting any assistance, I came down with

a very bad case of bronchitis which only made things worse. I was

the only caucasion person in line and I remember three very large

minority teenager men talking about me and laughing at me, etc... I

was so afraid. They were saying things about the " White Trash " in

front of them.. etc... It was a bad scene and after everything I've

been through I'm now leary of trying again, but I'm sure I will.

Have to run for now. I wish you luck Norma. My thoughts and prayers

will be with you.

Kathy K.

[Guest guest]

Norma I so feel for you. You sound similar to me in that I look so

well, appear so fit, that the judgements are based on that. and I don't

put on this sick quivering, i'm in pain voice, that some do. Nothing

wrong with my voice, it's my back!

When I say i'm on a disability pension I look people right in the eyes.

I look perfectly fine. they don't know that I look that way cos it's 11

am and i've just got out of bed after taking all my morphine and waited

till I could get up and move normally, and that my brain though can't

concentrate enough to read more than a few pages of a book... Yes I know

your frustration.

I'm off to see my lawyer tomorrow morning, I wont be limping in, I wont

be acting woe is to me, I wish we could all take lie detector tests.

" Are you in so much pain that you can't do a full days work 5 days a

week? " " YES! "

Sharon.