Re: SS Dis

January 10, 2007

I have a question about this, Kathy. You know my

training, right? Are you saying if I could be a

receptionist, even though I'm a sys admin now, I would

have to take a receptionist position? Of course, my

problem working has to do with sitting being a pain,

and standing being a pain, and I'm not considering

leaving work right now. But if I couldn't do this job

because it requires 40 hours a week of painful

sitting, would I be required to take a job that didn't

require 40 hours a week of sitting, even if that job

paid well below what I get paid now, what I'm

qualified to do now?

Thanks!

--- DK Moulton wrote:

> Hi

>

> SS Disability not only looks at work you currently

> are performing (that you are saying you can no

> longer perform - even if you've left this job), but

> they also look at any job, anywhere, that you are

> qualified to do. This means that if you have the

> skills to be a receptionist, but are stating that

> because your current job/previous job involved

> lifting and you can no longer do your job because of

> this lifting, then they will look at your medical

> issues and determine if you can work as a

> receptionist if it didn't involve lifting.

>

> If you can get a letter from a doctor that treats

> you stating that you can no longer work due to (fill

> in the blanks.) The more specialized the doctor,

> the better.

>

> Also, did you write a letter stating objectively as

> possible, what your medical issues are and how each

> one affects your work try? The more objective you

> do this - the better. SS Disability is familiar

> with levels of pain - so you don't need to write

> that your pain is say, " tortuous " but state instead

> (in my opinion) that during the day it fluctuates

> with activity (if it does - mine does and this is

> how I wrote it) and ranges from a 4-8; however can

> reach a nine at times if over-doing.

>

> Fortunately, I was granted SS Disability on my first

> try - one year after my diagnosis and initial

> untethering. At the time of my app I didn't know

> about the Chiari, but did include that on a

> subsequent review. The state's disability plan

> though refused me for two years (finally the union

> hired an attorney for me and we prevailed), but with

> the state, I was denied because they said it was a

> pre-existing condition that I had before I began

> working. (Duh...yeah, that's what congenital

> means.) But, because I could prove that I had no

> clue I had this condition before I began work, I was

> granted this disability also. I had enough " units "

> under each plan to receive each, but the SS is

> offset because of the state payments.

>

> I will be losing both because I am going back to

> work next month; however, I will be able to reapply

> for both as long as I leave within a certain time

> period if I find I can't stay employed (hopefully

> this won't happen for a very, very long time if at

> all.)

>

> If you would like any help, let me know - not sure

> what I could do, but I'd be willing to try.

>

> Kathy

> Re: question

>

> have u tried claiming dla u can still recieve that

> if

> u work . if they r saying they wont give u it i

> would

> go off sick from work for your illness u will get

> money for a certain amount of weeks and then after

> that u would get money off the state . then u

> would be

> able to get social sercurity. u can ger dla and

> also

> personsal care allowance

> --- Rick wrote:

>

> > Endresmansion@... said the following on

> 1/7/2007

> > 1:36 AM:

> > > has anyone here with both spina bifida and

> > tethered spinal cord been denied

> > > social security cause I was denied 3 times

> already

> > in the last couple of years

> > > and still cannot possibly try to work with all

> > the pain and the meds I'm

> > > on. thanks for any info.

> > >

> > social security looks as whether or not you can

> > perform the work you

> > have been trained to perform or work you have

> done

> > in the recent past.

> > for instance i used to load/unload/drive a truck

> (20

> > years), i can no

> > longer do that - at all, so i was approved. if

> you

> > did not work recently

> > (supported by hubby or family) then chances are

> slim

> > to none of

> > receiving ssdi. if you worked in an office, then

> you

> > will have a lot of

> > convincing to do which you do by appealing the

> > decisions or even

> > requesting an administrative hearing.

> >

> > good luck,

> > rick

> >

>

> Send instant messages to your online friends

> http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Want to start your own business?

Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.

http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-index

January 10, 2007

That's their rules as explained to me by a friend of mine who worked for SS for

over 20 years (she's now out on disability.) She worked in a different

department than Disability, but she had some great advise for me as far as what

I should send in for documentation, what not to send in, what to write about and

what not to write about.

With private or state disability plans, they require (at least in Maine) that

for the first two or three years, you just can't do your job that you left due

to disability. With SS you can't do any job you are qualified to do - anywhere.

It wasn't so much the any job that had me confused as it was the " anywhere " .

They're serious about that anywhere too.

As far as you go - because I know you - have met you - I don't think

you'd have one problem qualifying or being accepted for disability under SS.

In my personal, humble opinion, it's about documentation, being clear and

concise about what you can and can't do and what it is about your disabling

condition that keeps you from doing each thing you are saying you can no longer

do. And of course again, a note from a doctor stating you should not work

always will help. (Again too - the more specialized the doctor, the better in

my opinion.)

SS isn't interested so much in whether a job that you are qualified to do would

support you, or if you'd be " wasting " your degree, they are only objectively

concerned with whether you " can " be employed.

Also, if I remember right, any disability program can determine your disabled,

but that with the right training, you could be employed and they can refer you

to that program.

People that say disability recipients are lazy, just don't want to work and just

want benefits really have never had to apply for these benefits. You have to

jump through hoops - staying home all day sucks and I wouldn't wish it on my

worst enemy - especially if you don't have kids at home, or something that you

can do that doesn't hurt you that can take up your time at home. I would give

my left arm to be able to get up every morning feel as I did ten years ago -

And as a side note and a bit of digression - I just read the best article on

disabilities and why the norms that put us in that category should not be used.

I thought I had a fairly good attitude about hidden disabilities and visible

disabilities. This article totally changed my mind about so many biases I had

that I didn't even realize were there until I read this article. I just wiped

out my history and I can't remember if I saved it, but if I did or if I can find

it again, I'd be happy to send it to anyone who would like to read it.

I think it would be great if I can find the article, people/members read it and

then we had a discussion after...anyone if I can find it? (Sorry, have a virus

and I erased my history folder...long story.)

Kathy

Re: question

>

> have u tried claiming dla u can still recieve that

> if

> u work . if they r saying they wont give u it i

> would

> go off sick from work for your illness u will get

> money for a certain amount of weeks and then after

> that u would get money off the state . then u

> would be

> able to get social sercurity. u can ger dla and

> also

> personsal care allowance

> --- Rick wrote:

>

> > Endresmansion@... said the following on

> 1/7/2007

> > 1:36 AM:

> > > has anyone here with both spina bifida and

> > tethered spinal cord been denied

> > > social security cause I was denied 3 times

> already

> > in the last couple of years

> > > and still cannot possibly try to work with all

> > the pain and the meds I'm

> > > on. thanks for any info.

> > >

> > social security looks as whether or not you can

> > perform the work you

> > have been trained to perform or work you have

> done

> > in the recent past.

> > for instance i used to load/unload/drive a truck

> (20

> > years), i can no

> > longer do that - at all, so i was approved. if

> you

> > did not work recently

> > (supported by hubby or family) then chances are

> slim

> > to none of

> > receiving ssdi. if you worked in an office, then

> you

> > will have a lot of

> > convincing to do which you do by appealing the

> > decisions or even

> > requesting an administrative hearing.

> >

> > good luck,

> > rick

> >

>

> Send instant messages to your online friends

> http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

__________________________________________________________

Want to start your own business?

Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.

http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-index

January 10, 2007

I agree with Kathy. To qualify for SSDI, it's not not being able to do

the job you have now or are trained to do - it's not being able to do

any job.

I applied for SSDI right after Kathy did and used her advice for my

application (and had a doctor who charted in the medical record that I

should not be working). I was approved.

V

> SS isn't interested so much in whether a job that you are qualified

to do would support you, or if you'd be " wasting " your degree, they

are only objectively concerned with whether you " can " be employed.

>

> Also, if I remember right, any disability program can determine your

disabled, but that with the right training, you could be employed and

they can refer you to that program.

January 11, 2007

Thank you for the information. Honestly, I'd rather be

employed than on disability. It's why I've spent nine

years going to work even when I'm in pain and even

when I'm so tired I can barely do anything but flop my

butt on the couch when I get home and cry. But it

seems rather odd that they could or would expect

someone who is trained in a field where they make a

lot of money to take a much lower paying job simply

because it's a job they can do. If I could be a hair

sweeper in a salon, and it paid minimum wage, they

would want me to take that job, even if I am a trained

surgeon? Just seems odd. But I don't doubt for a

moment that they would want people to work if they

can. I do question the use of the terminology " being

able to support oneself " . Can anyone honestly support

themselves on minimum wage?

I think what makes it difficult for me is sitting

causes issues. Walking causes issues. Standing is

out of the question. Just living, apparently, causes

me pain. Hell, lying in bed causes me pain. Add the

narcolepsy into that equation, and the fibromyalgia

and migraines, and how does one find a job that

accommodates all of the issues - pain, falling asleep

without warning, and fibro-fog? I came home tonight

after a particularly emotionally charged day and

basically collapsed in bed. Now it's 11 and I'm wide

awake and probably will be until 1 am or so. My

circadian rythym is so goofed up, and tomorrow will

also be a very emotionally draining day. I just ask

myself " Doesn't my family deserve some of my energy?

Just a little bit of it? " I haven't cleaned my house

in a year. Thank goodness for teenagers, but should

they be bearing the entire housekeeping burden?

I'm not ready to give up the ghost just yet, but it's

nice to know that we have a few people to get advice

from. Sorry for whining. It has been a really rough

few days for me and I just feel so defeated right now.

--- laurav1945 wrote:

> I agree with Kathy. To qualify for SSDI, it's not

> not being able to do

> the job you have now or are trained to do - it's not

> being able to do

> any job.

>

> I applied for SSDI right after Kathy did and used

> her advice for my

> application (and had a doctor who charted in the

> medical record that I

> should not be working). I was approved.

>

> V

>

> > SS isn't interested so much in whether a job that

> you are qualified

> to do would support you, or if you'd be " wasting "

> your degree, they

> are only objectively concerned with whether you

> " can " be employed.

> >

> > Also, if I remember right, any disability program

> can determine your

> disabled, but that with the right training, you

> could be employed and

> they can refer you to that program.

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Cheap talk?

Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates.

http://voice.yahoo.com

January 11, 2007

hi

my name is dawn

i feel the same i never got great exam results when i

left school and then had my first child when i was 18

..all the time while my four children were growing up i

was looking foward to going back into education and

getting my self a job .earning my own wage .

4 years ago i found out i had my illness and all what

i wanted went out the window .it takes all my strenght

to get out of bed get my kids to school. i prided my

self on my home being spotless but kjo0w i cant do any

of it .lucky for me i have four wonderful kids and a

great partner who do it all for me .it is so boring

sitting at home all day everyday watching everyone

going to work . all the dreams i had have gone out the

window .i wish i could run with my boys kick a ball

with my boys etc instead i have to stand and watch

others do it with them .

i feel that all of us are strong people and we will

get through this . all u need is the love and support

of a great family and i have that

--- DK Moulton wrote:

> That's their rules as explained to me by a friend of

> mine who worked for SS for over 20 years (she's now

> out on disability.) She worked in a different

> department than Disability, but she had some great

> advise for me as far as what I should send in for

> documentation, what not to send in, what to write

> about and what not to write about.

>

> With private or state disability plans, they require

> (at least in Maine) that for the first two or three

> years, you just can't do your job that you left due

> to disability. With SS you can't do any job you are

> qualified to do - anywhere. It wasn't so much the

> any job that had me confused as it was the

> " anywhere " . They're serious about that anywhere

> too.

>

> As far as you go - because I know you -

> have met you - I don't think you'd have one problem

> qualifying or being accepted for disability under

> SS.

>

> In my personal, humble opinion, it's about

> documentation, being clear and concise about what

> you can and can't do and what it is about your

> disabling condition that keeps you from doing each

> thing you are saying you can no longer do. And of

> course again, a note from a doctor stating you

> should not work always will help. (Again too - the

> more specialized the doctor, the better in my

> opinion.)

>

> SS isn't interested so much in whether a job that

> you are qualified to do would support you, or if

> you'd be " wasting " your degree, they are only

> objectively concerned with whether you " can " be

> employed.

>

> Also, if I remember right, any disability program

> can determine your disabled, but that with the right

> training, you could be employed and they can refer

> you to that program.

>

> People that say disability recipients are lazy, just

> don't want to work and just want benefits really

> have never had to apply for these benefits. You

> have to jump through hoops - staying home all day

> sucks and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy -

> especially if you don't have kids at home, or

> something that you can do that doesn't hurt you that

> can take up your time at home. I would give my left

> arm to be able to get up every morning feel as I did

> ten years ago -

>

> And as a side note and a bit of digression - I just

> read the best article on disabilities and why the

> norms that put us in that category should not be

> used. I thought I had a fairly good attitude about

> hidden disabilities and visible disabilities. This

> article totally changed my mind about so many biases

> I had that I didn't even realize were there until I

> read this article. I just wiped out my history and

> I can't remember if I saved it, but if I did or if I

> can find it again, I'd be happy to send it to anyone

> who would like to read it.

>

> I think it would be great if I can find the article,

> people/members read it and then we had a discussion

> after...anyone if I can find it? (Sorry, have a

> virus and I erased my history folder...long story.)

>

> Kathy

> Re: question

> >

> > have u tried claiming dla u can still recieve

> that

> > if

> > u work . if they r saying they wont give u it i

> > would

> > go off sick from work for your illness u will

> get

> > money for a certain amount of weeks and then

> after

>

=== message truncated ===

___________________________________________________________

What kind of emailer are you? Find out today - get a free analysis of your email

personality. Take the quiz at the Yahoo! Mail Championship.

http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/evt=44106/*http://mail.yahoo.net/uk

January 11, 2007

Hi Pam,

Thanks so much for the link. I'm going there now.

I've had my thyroid tested many times, with all the

different tests. I know there was some news a few

years ago about the " normal " thyroid tests not being

enough, and my docs have tested the free T3 and free

T4 and TPO. I've had so much blood work done to rule

out the thyroid issues that I can't imagine it

wouldn't have been caught. It seems like a thyroid

issue to me too. But if all the tests don't show it,

how do you prove it?

The narcolepsy was tough to diagnose because of the

sleep problems caused by the fibro. I fall asleep

during the day, but then I can't sleep very well at

night, so of course they did all the sleep study stuff

to rule out RLS and apnea. I have RLS, but it isn't

the main cause of my waking at night. I take meds to

stay awake, meds to sleep (that don't keep me asleep),

and I don't have the weight problems associated with

hypothyroidism. They've checked for MS (which I

thankfully don't have), for RA (again, thankful to be

without), and a host of other things. I am tired of

being a professional patient at this point, but if

there is something they can check that I haven't had

checked that can fix these problems, I am ALL for it!

Again, thank you for the link. I'm going to read it

now so I can see what else might be done that can get

me out of this stupid funk.

--- pam3232785 wrote:

> I have not been a part of this discussion but I

> really think you

> need to get your thyroid horomes checked. Check out

> stopthethyroidmadness.com. What you are describing

> sounds like

> hypothyroid which is grossly underdiagnosed...Just a

> suggestion -

> that group has improved my quality of life as I am

> hypo. Migraines

> and fibromyalgia CAN be hypothyroidism (undiagnosed)

> Pam

>

> tetheredspinalcord , Weaver

> wrote:

> >

> > I think what makes it difficult for me is sitting

> > causes issues. Walking causes issues. Standing

> is

> > out of the question. Just living, apparently,

> causes

> > me pain. Hell, lying in bed causes me pain. Add

> the

> > narcolepsy into that equation, and the

> fibromyalgia

> > and migraines, and how does one find a job that

> > accommodates all of the issues - pain, falling

> asleep

> > without warning, and fibro-fog? I came home

> tonight

> > after a particularly emotionally charged day and

> > basically collapsed in bed. Now it's 11 and I'm

> wide

> > awake and probably will be until 1 am or so. My

> > circadian rythym is so goofed up, and tomorrow

> will

> > also be a very emotionally draining day. I just

> ask

> > myself " Doesn't my family deserve some of my

> energy?

> > Just a little bit of it? " I haven't cleaned my

> house

> > in a year. Thank goodness for teenagers, but

> should

> > they be bearing the entire housekeeping burden?

> >

> > I'm not ready to give up the ghost just yet, but

> it's

> > nice to know that we have a few people to get

> advice

> > from. Sorry for whining. It has been a really

> rough

> > few days for me and I just feel so defeated right

> now.

> >

> > --- laurav1945 wrote:

> >

> > > I agree with Kathy. To qualify for SSDI, it's

> not

> > > not being able to do

> > > the job you have now or are trained to do - it's

> not

> > > being able to do

> > > any job.

> > >

> > > I applied for SSDI right after Kathy did and

> used

> > > her advice for my

> > > application (and had a doctor who charted in the

> > > medical record that I

> > > should not be working). I was approved.

> > >

> > > V

> > >

> > > > SS isn't interested so much in whether a job

> that

> > > you are qualified

> > > to do would support you, or if you'd be

> " wasting "

> > > your degree, they

> > > are only objectively concerned with whether you

> > > " can " be employed.

> > > >

> > > > Also, if I remember right, any disability

> program

> > > can determine your

> > > disabled, but that with the right training, you

> > > could be employed and

> > > they can refer you to that program.

> > >

> >

>

_____________________________________________________________________

> _______________

> > Cheap talk?

> > Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call

> rates.

> > http://voice.yahoo.com

> >

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Have a burning question?

Go to www.Answers.yahoo.com and get answers from real people who know.

January 22, 2007

Kathy,

I have never heard this " any job " " anywhere " thing. (or maybe I have, but

don't remember as you have it written in your post). Can you describe it in

a little more detail, please (esp. the " anywhere " part)?

I applied for SSDI and was approved the first time out. I agree with you

that it is largely about clear, concise documentation, particularly about

how your disability affects your ADLs. However, while having a MD stating

that you cannot/should not work may be helpful, I don't know how much good

it does. I have a friend that works in the state dept of workers comp and I

called her for clarification about the disability application process, and

your personal MD can say your disabled till (s)he is blue in the face, but

SS makes their own determination based on your medical records/test

results. When I applied, working was becoming increasingly difficult. What

was most important to me was that I could no longer not take my pain meds

during the time I was working, in addition to increasing pain when I was

working. None of my MDs said that I shouldn't be working.

That being said, where I do agree with you is that if your records reflect

that you are being treated by more specialized MDs, rather than a GP/PCP, or

general specialist (ie: orthopedic surgeon vs pediatric neurosurgeon who

specializes in NTDs) reflects better. If a specialist in the area of your

condition is willing to take your case, and documents with detailed

history/physical exams, review of tests... SS knows that many specialists

only take legitimate cases (b/c they are already overwhelmed), and once they

do accept you as a patient, they are likely to order those tests necessary

to diagnose and treat your condition. So, the results of those tests bear

weight... as well as that specialists opinion vs the opinion of a more

general MD.

What did you mean by " any disability program can determine your disabled? "

Did you mean for the basis of obtaining SSI/SSDI? SS has their own MDs that

determine whether you are disabled or not based on the records you submit.

Maybe you can clarify for me... perhaps you were talking about a different

program?

Its completely true that SS could care less whether or not you are employed

at what you feel is appropriate for you level of education. Initially they

look at whether you can perform the job you have been employed in. Then,

they look to see if you have other education or skills and can be employed

doing anything/anywhere. For all they care, you could be a MD... and if you

can work at a fast food restaruant, then you are employable. I ran into

this initially. If you have a degree that you have never used, and have

worked in a different industry your whole life and become disabled, they'll

say.. " well, you have this degree... you can get a job. " Well, I have ZERO

experience in that field... I would not be employable at the level of my

degree ---- they could CARE LESS. Like I said... if you can work fast

food, then you can work, according to SS. They don't care if it is a living

wage... But then again, SS is not a living wage either.

That is why so many people, once approved for SSDI, get sucked into the

cycle of " poverty living. " If you have an ongoing disability, and you get,

say $1000/mo on SSDI. Assume you have gotten your illness under control and

feel you can begin to return to the workforce. You have the choice of 1)

staying on SSDI and receiving your $1000 per month and trying to find a part

time job where you make no more than $860/month, giving you a total of

$1860/month to live off of.... OR 2) finding a job making peanuts where you

would have to work full time to make only slightly more than that per

month. Most people opt for #1. Under option 1 they still have time for

their many MD appts (which they would have to take time off work for under

#2); have time to fight all the denied claims, billing errors, etc; and most

disabled people suffer fatigue and struggle working a full time job. So,

given the choice of working full time and being financialy independent or

workign part time, yet still relying on SSDI, most people continue to rely

on SSDI. Even those that can make more choose to continue with option #1

b/c they wouldn't make that much more per year working on their own, and

would have to work full time to do so.

That being said -- I couldn't agree with you more about the lazy thing --

there is no amount of money I would give to feel like I did before my first

back surgery, and be doing the job that I loved dearly and continue to miss

every day since I have had to quit. When I was working, I worked 2 jobs,

and volunteered at least 10hrs/week. I would gladly work at 1/2 of what I

was making at my full time job before my disability to be able to do it

again. On the days when I do feel good, it takes a lot to occupy yourself

at home all day when you live by yourself.

I have been looking for a part time job... it seems all I run into a

walls. I only want to work part time right now. I dont' think I would be

successful at a full time job -- I don't have the stamina, and I have too

many " bad " days. I want to start out part time and see how it goes.

Anyway, even applying for part time jobs, when I apply for jobs consistent

with my education, they tell me I dont' have any experience. When I apply

for jobs with my level of experience, they tell me that I have too much

education (if I'm lucky enough to even get an interview) and they wonder why

I even applied for the job and are afraid that I won't stay there b/c they

think I am there to just get experience and leave. When they call me for an

interview, they also ask me why I have been out of the workforce for the

past 3 1/2 yrs. I would like to find an explanation w/o revealing my

disability right away -- but haven't been able to find one -- then I figure

that they will see my chair when I get to the interview -- not like I can

hide it. Of all the jobs I applied for, I did manage one interview.. even

got to the second interview. The second interview was almost wholly about

my disability! I was mortified! I mean, I am totally open about my SB, my

paralysis, etc, but it really didn't seem approprite as an interview.. of

the 30-45 min interview, about only 10-15 min were " interview " questions

about my knowledge, skills and abilities. Needless to say, I didn't get the

job. Has anyone experienced this (either the interview, explaining absence

from teh workforce, or education/experience disconnect)? Any suggestions?

Kathy -- did you ever find that article? I'd love to read it if you find

it.

Jenn

>

> It wasn't so much the any job that had me confused as it was the

> " anywhere " . They're serious about that anywhere too.

>

> In my personal, humble opinion, it's about documentation, being clear and

> concise about what you can and can't do and what it is about your disabling

> condition that keeps you from doing each thing you are saying you can no

> longer do. And of course again, a note from a doctor stating you should not

> work always will help. (Again too - the more specialized the doctor, the

> better in my opinion.)

>

> SS isn't interested so much in whether a job that you are qualified to do

> would support you, or if you'd be " wasting " your degree, they are only

> objectively concerned with whether you " can " be employed.

>

> Also, if I remember right, any disability program can determine your

> disabled,

>

People that say disability recipients are lazy, just don't want to work

> and just want benefits really have never had to apply for these benefits.

> You have to jump through hoops - staying home all day sucks and I wouldn't

> wish it on my worst enemy - especially if you don't have kids at home, or

> something that you can do that doesn't hurt you that can take up your time

> at home. I would give my left arm to be able to get up every morning feel as

> I did ten years ago -

>

> And as a side note and a bit of digression - I just read the best article

> on disabilities and why the norms that put us in that category should not be

> used. <<<>>> I just wiped out my history and I can't remember if I saved it,

> but if I did or if I can find it again, I'd be happy to send it to anyone

> who would like to read it.

>

> Kathy

> Recent Activity

>

> - 2

> New

Members<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tetheredspinalcord/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJmMm\

d1b2hzBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTY1NTMEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDYxNTg5BHNlYwN2dGwEc2\

xrA3ZtYnJzBHN0aW1lAzExNjg0NTUzNzQ->

>

> Visit Your Group

>

<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tetheredspinalcord;_ylc=X3oDMTJlY2puNHF2BF9TAzk3M\

zU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTY1NTMEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDYxNTg5BHNlYwN2dGwEc2xrA3ZnaHAEc3Rpb\

WUDMTE2ODQ1NTM3NA-->

>

January 22, 2007

Hi Jenn

Actually, I don't quite understand the " anywhere " part of SS's rules either - I

just know that it's there. (I always assumed they were referring to any type of

building/profession - not that if you can work a job in the Antarctica, that

they would expect you to relocate.)

I think the more specialized the doctor the better off you are. I know SS

doesn't hold Chiro notes in very hard regard (came from my friend that worked at

SS.) That's what I was referring to with more specialized - at any rate, it can

never hurt.

Which article were you referring to? (The one about disability and how society

views us?) If so, no, I haven't looked yet - but I did come across a

paraphrasing that I wrote down when I read the article. Basically it said that

people want us to become independent, cheer us on as we do, but encourage us to

ask for to help when needed. However, once independence is achieved according

to society's standards, and we do ask for help - people will think, " But, you

are able to do this and than alone and you should not be asking for assistance

now. " It's a huge catch-22, become independent, work, and don't ask for

modifications or assistant technology, we're accepted. Become the above, but

ask for this or that mod/asst. tech, and we're looked at whiney by society.

The article did a much better job of explaining society's views than I just did

but maybe you get the gist? It also said that when society sees people that

were fine growing up, then have chronic pain and associated disabilities or

problems that it scares them - if we can end up this way, it means they can too.

It really opened my eyes to how we are seen and areas that I never thought

about.

I looked for a part-time job for quite a while also. Found one or two but they

were so underpaid it wouldn't have hardly paid for my gas.

What I ran into when I was looking for a job was age discrimination - in my

early forties no less (and in my humble opinion I don't look older than my age.)

The question I heard repeatedly was, " Could you work for someone younger than

you? " I was shocked that I would be asked that question at all.

I'll try to find that article if that's the one you are asking for.