Canadian Disability Pension

[Guest guest]

I have been sick and unable to work since 1996 and until 1998 was

collecting disability insurance through my employers group plan. My

employer " out sourced " all of the people in my department.

Coincidently, about the same time as the terminations, though my

health problems had not improved, the insurance company terminated my

disability insurance.

I used up my severance money and then, over time, I cashed in my

RRSPs. I thought that whatever was (affecting my health would

eventually ease off; so I did not apply for any type of assistance. I

had hoped that once " this thing " passed I would go out and

get working again. (My wife is the only wage earner and the income

is not as great as the outgo)

I had been diagnosed with Crohns disease in 1982; subsequently, that

diagnosis was changed to ulcerative colitis in 2002.

In 1994 I was hospitalized with cardio problems followed by severe

angina problems.

In 1990 I was diagnosed with Diabetes.

In February 1996 I came down with what I thought was another bout with

Crohns. Along with the chronic diarrhea, I developed a constant

fatigue that was later diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. As time

progressed I developed more symptoms/ health problems.

About 2001 I finally lost my battle with the insurance company but I

still thought that I would " get over " whatever it was that was

affecting my health.

In early 2002, after being diagnosed with " Mito What!?!? "

(Mitochondrial Cytopathy) I finally clued in that " this

thing " was not just going to go away. As symptoms continued to

multiply, I decided that it was time to apply for a Canada Pension

Plan Disability Pension.

After going through the various levels of appeal and being repeatedly

denied a disability pension, I applied, to the court that oversees the

last stage of appeal, for what is called a Leave to Appeal.

We're not wealthy enough to hire a lawyer, but too wealthy (yeah

right!) to get a Legal Aid lawyer. However, I was given a little free

advice by a legal aid lawyer. I was told that I could go ahead and

apply for " leave to appeal " but that only 5% of the applicants are

successful. The lawyer did say, " Go ahead, you have nothing to lose by

trying "

The report by the review board was put together very poorly,

(composition wise) there were glaring errors and quotes attributed to

me that were just not stated by me.

With nothing to lose, I put together my appeal.

It took a looong, looong time to get it all together, because of

fatigue, brain fog days, days when I was just too frustrated to try

and sort through the extremely unprofessional report that was filled

with redundancies, Looking at a screen (computer/TV) often causes my

vision to go blurry, and because of my " hunt and peck " typing skills.

Because my application was not (what I would consider) diplomatic or

politically correct) I thought that I stood the proverbial " snowball's

chance in.., " of being granted leave to appeal.

Last week I received, by courier, the documents that grant me leave to

appeal. This was very surprising to me and my wife was very excited

about it too.

It's great to have been granted Leave to Appeal BUT ...it's still

unnerving to think that I will be up against legal pro's with their

medical experts.

Regards

Ken

[Guest guest]

Ken

The process in the US is about the same - it takes a long period of

frustration. My advice is to gather as many medical reports and articles

that you can find such as that on the web site and UMDF website.

Overwhelm them with papers. Two can play the game. They make your life

miserable so you will drop it and hopefully you can confuse them enough with

all the info that they will approve it. Another thing you might want to do

is see if there is anyone on the list or anyone you know that has been

approved with the diagnosis of mito. Take that info along as well.

I probably am not the one to give advice as I haven't yet gone through the

process, but I have helped many parents get approval for their handicapped

children and my son went through the process.

Good luck,

laurie

>

> Reply-To:

> Date: Thu, 03 Jun 2004 21:40:35 -0000

> To:

> Subject: Canadian Disability Pension

>

> I have been sick and unable to work since 1996 and until 1998 was

> collecting disability insurance through my employers group plan. My

> employer " out sourced " all of the people in my department.

> Coincidently, about the same time as the terminations, though my

> health problems had not improved, the insurance company terminated my

> disability insurance.

>

> I used up my severance money and then, over time, I cashed in my

> RRSPs. I thought that whatever was (affecting my health would

> eventually ease off; so I did not apply for any type of assistance. I

> had hoped that once " this thing " passed I would go out and

> get working again. (My wife is the only wage earner and the income

> is not as great as the outgo)

>

> I had been diagnosed with Crohns disease in 1982; subsequently, that

> diagnosis was changed to ulcerative colitis in 2002.

> In 1994 I was hospitalized with cardio problems followed by severe

> angina problems.

> In 1990 I was diagnosed with Diabetes.

> In February 1996 I came down with what I thought was another bout with

> Crohns. Along with the chronic diarrhea, I developed a constant

> fatigue that was later diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. As time

> progressed I developed more symptoms/ health problems.

>

> About 2001 I finally lost my battle with the insurance company but I

> still thought that I would " get over " whatever it was that was

> affecting my health.

>

> In early 2002, after being diagnosed with " Mito What!?!? "

> (Mitochondrial Cytopathy) I finally clued in that " this

> thing " was not just going to go away. As symptoms continued to

> multiply, I decided that it was time to apply for a Canada Pension

> Plan Disability Pension.

>

> After going through the various levels of appeal and being repeatedly

> denied a disability pension, I applied, to the court that oversees the

> last stage of appeal, for what is called a Leave to Appeal.

>

> We're not wealthy enough to hire a lawyer, but too wealthy (yeah

> right!) to get a Legal Aid lawyer. However, I was given a little free

> advice by a legal aid lawyer. I was told that I could go ahead and

> apply for " leave to appeal " but that only 5% of the applicants are

> successful. The lawyer did say, " Go ahead, you have nothing to lose by

> trying "

>

> The report by the review board was put together very poorly,

> (composition wise) there were glaring errors and quotes attributed to

> me that were just not stated by me.

>

> With nothing to lose, I put together my appeal.

>

> It took a looong, looong time to get it all together, because of

> fatigue, brain fog days, days when I was just too frustrated to try

> and sort through the extremely unprofessional report that was filled

> with redundancies, Looking at a screen (computer/TV) often causes my

> vision to go blurry, and because of my " hunt and peck " typing skills.

>

> Because my application was not (what I would consider) diplomatic or

> politically correct) I thought that I stood the proverbial " snowball's

> chance in.., " of being granted leave to appeal.

>

> Last week I received, by courier, the documents that grant me leave to

> appeal. This was very surprising to me and my wife was very excited

> about it too.

>

> It's great to have been granted Leave to Appeal BUT ...it's still

> unnerving to think that I will be up against legal pro's with their

> medical experts.

>

> Regards

>

> Ken

>

>

>

> Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein

> are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is

> entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their

> responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their

> physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

>

> Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is

> automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Good luck, I know the process is very difficult no matter where you live.

Ken wrote:

>I have been sick and unable to work since 1996 and until 1998 was

>collecting disability insurance through my employers group plan. My

>employer " out sourced " all of the people in my department.

>Coincidently, about the same time as the terminations, though my

>health problems had not improved, the insurance company terminated my

>disability insurance.

>

>I used up my severance money and then, over time, I cashed in my

>RRSPs. I thought that whatever was (affecting my health would

>eventually ease off; so I did not apply for any type of assistance. I

>had hoped that once " this thing " passed I would go out and

>get working again. (My wife is the only wage earner and the income

>is not as great as the outgo)

>

>I had been diagnosed with Crohns disease in 1982; subsequently, that

>diagnosis was changed to ulcerative colitis in 2002.

>In 1994 I was hospitalized with cardio problems followed by severe

>angina problems.

>In 1990 I was diagnosed with Diabetes.

>In February 1996 I came down with what I thought was another bout with

>Crohns. Along with the chronic diarrhea, I developed a constant

>fatigue that was later diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. As time

>progressed I developed more symptoms/ health problems.

>

>About 2001 I finally lost my battle with the insurance company but I

>still thought that I would " get over " whatever it was that was

>affecting my health.

>

>In early 2002, after being diagnosed with " Mito What!?!? "

>(Mitochondrial Cytopathy) I finally clued in that " this

>thing " was not just going to go away. As symptoms continued to

>multiply, I decided that it was time to apply for a Canada Pension

>Plan Disability Pension.

>

>After going through the various levels of appeal and being repeatedly

>denied a disability pension, I applied, to the court that oversees the

>last stage of appeal, for what is called a Leave to Appeal.

>

>We're not wealthy enough to hire a lawyer, but too wealthy (yeah

>right!) to get a Legal Aid lawyer. However, I was given a little free

>advice by a legal aid lawyer. I was told that I could go ahead and

>apply for " leave to appeal " but that only 5% of the applicants are

>successful. The lawyer did say, " Go ahead, you have nothing to lose by

>trying "

>

>The report by the review board was put together very poorly,

>(composition wise) there were glaring errors and quotes attributed to

>me that were just not stated by me.

>

>With nothing to lose, I put together my appeal.

>

>It took a looong, looong time to get it all together, because of

>fatigue, brain fog days, days when I was just too frustrated to try

>and sort through the extremely unprofessional report that was filled

>with redundancies, Looking at a screen (computer/TV) often causes my

>vision to go blurry, and because of my " hunt and peck " typing skills.

>

>Because my application was not (what I would consider) diplomatic or

>politically correct) I thought that I stood the proverbial " snowball's

>chance in.., " of being granted leave to appeal.

>

>Last week I received, by courier, the documents that grant me leave to

>appeal. This was very surprising to me and my wife was very excited

>about it too.

>

>It's great to have been granted Leave to Appeal BUT ...it's still

>unnerving to think that I will be up against legal pro's with their

>medical experts.

>

>Regards

>

>Ken

>

>

>

>

>Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein are

not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is

entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their

responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their

physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

>

>Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is

automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Laurie,

At this point I will persist (be stubborn) and continue to fight.

Tommorow I'm going to call a local law school to see if one of the law

students (or professors) will take my case on a " pro-bono " basis or at

least guide me in preparing my case, how to file papers, etc.

Regards Ken

================================================================

> Ken

>

> The process in the US is about the same - it takes a long period of

> frustration. My advice is to gather as many medical reports and articles

> that you can find such as that on the web site and UMDF

website.

> Overwhelm them with papers. Two can play the game. They make your life

> miserable so you will drop it and hopefully you can confuse them

enough with

> all the info that they will approve it. Another thing you might want

to do

> is see if there is anyone on the list or anyone you know that has been

> approved with the diagnosis of mito. Take that info along as well.

>

> I probably am not the one to give advice as I haven't yet gone

through the

> process, but I have helped many parents get approval for their

handicapped

> children and my son went through the process.

>

> Good luck,

> laurie

>

> > From: " Ken "

> > Reply-To:

> > Date: Thu, 03 Jun 2004 21:40:35 -0000

> > To:

> > Subject: Canadian Disability Pension

> >

> > I have been sick and unable to work since 1996 and until 1998 was

> > collecting disability insurance through my employers group plan. My

> > employer " out sourced " all of the people in my department.

> > Coincidently, about the same time as the terminations, though my

> > health problems had not improved, the insurance company terminated my

> > disability insurance.

> >

> > I used up my severance money and then, over time, I cashed in my

> > RRSPs. I thought that whatever was (affecting my health would

> > eventually ease off; so I did not apply for any type of assistance. I

> > had hoped that once " this thing " passed I would go out and

> > get working again. (My wife is the only wage earner and the income

> > is not as great as the outgo)

> >

> > I had been diagnosed with Crohns disease in 1982; subsequently, that

> > diagnosis was changed to ulcerative colitis in 2002.

> > In 1994 I was hospitalized with cardio problems followed by severe

> > angina problems.

> > In 1990 I was diagnosed with Diabetes.

> > In February 1996 I came down with what I thought was another bout with

> > Crohns. Along with the chronic diarrhea, I developed a constant

> > fatigue that was later diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. As time

> > progressed I developed more symptoms/ health problems.

> >

> > About 2001 I finally lost my battle with the insurance company but I

> > still thought that I would " get over " whatever it was that was

> > affecting my health.

> >

> > In early 2002, after being diagnosed with " Mito What!?!? "

> > (Mitochondrial Cytopathy) I finally clued in that " this

> > thing " was not just going to go away. As symptoms continued to

> > multiply, I decided that it was time to apply for a Canada Pension

> > Plan Disability Pension.

> >

> > After going through the various levels of appeal and being repeatedly

> > denied a disability pension, I applied, to the court that oversees the

> > last stage of appeal, for what is called a Leave to Appeal.

> >

> > We're not wealthy enough to hire a lawyer, but too wealthy (yeah

> > right!) to get a Legal Aid lawyer. However, I was given a little free

> > advice by a legal aid lawyer. I was told that I could go ahead and

> > apply for " leave to appeal " but that only 5% of the applicants are

> > successful. The lawyer did say, " Go ahead, you have nothing to lose by

> > trying "

> >

> > The report by the review board was put together very poorly,

> > (composition wise) there were glaring errors and quotes attributed to

> > me that were just not stated by me.

> >

> > With nothing to lose, I put together my appeal.

> >

> > It took a looong, looong time to get it all together, because of

> > fatigue, brain fog days, days when I was just too frustrated to try

> > and sort through the extremely unprofessional report that was filled

> > with redundancies, Looking at a screen (computer/TV) often causes my

> > vision to go blurry, and because of my " hunt and peck " typing skills.

> >

> > Because my application was not (what I would consider) diplomatic or

> > politically correct) I thought that I stood the proverbial " snowball's

> > chance in.., " of being granted leave to appeal.

> >

> > Last week I received, by courier, the documents that grant me leave to

> > appeal. This was very surprising to me and my wife was very excited

> > about it too.

> >

> > It's great to have been granted Leave to Appeal BUT ...it's still

> > unnerving to think that I will be up against legal pro's with their

> > medical experts.

> >

> > Regards

> >

> > Ken

> >

> >

> >

> > Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements

contained herein

> > are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of

this e mail is

> > entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of

their

> > responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult

with their

> > physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

> >

> > Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who

sends one is

> > automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of

the attack.

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

It's too bad that it's that way in any of the Western Countries of the

world. I might be more understandale if it was taking place in a poor,

third world country - not " acceptable " but " understandable "

There are things worse than having mito; being a power tripping,

miserable, mean spirited government flunkey would be the number one

worse thing.

Ken

===============================================================

>

> >I have been sick and unable to work since 1996 and until 1998 was

> >collecting disability insurance through my employers group plan. My

> >employer " out sourced " all of the people in my department.

> >Coincidently, about the same time as the terminations, though my

> >health problems had not improved, the insurance company terminated my

> >disability insurance.

> >

> >I used up my severance money and then, over time, I cashed in my

> >RRSPs. I thought that whatever was (affecting my health would

> >eventually ease off; so I did not apply for any type of assistance. I

> >had hoped that once " this thing " passed I would go out and

> >get working again. (My wife is the only wage earner and the income

> >is not as great as the outgo)

> >

> >I had been diagnosed with Crohns disease in 1982; subsequently, that

> >diagnosis was changed to ulcerative colitis in 2002.

> >In 1994 I was hospitalized with cardio problems followed by severe

> >angina problems.

> >In 1990 I was diagnosed with Diabetes.

> >In February 1996 I came down with what I thought was another bout with

> >Crohns. Along with the chronic diarrhea, I developed a constant

> >fatigue that was later diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. As time

> >progressed I developed more symptoms/ health problems.

> >

> >About 2001 I finally lost my battle with the insurance company but I

> >still thought that I would " get over " whatever it was that was

> >affecting my health.

> >

> >In early 2002, after being diagnosed with " Mito What!?!? "

> >(Mitochondrial Cytopathy) I finally clued in that " this

> >thing " was not just going to go away. As symptoms continued to

> >multiply, I decided that it was time to apply for a Canada Pension

> >Plan Disability Pension.

> >

> >After going through the various levels of appeal and being repeatedly

> >denied a disability pension, I applied, to the court that oversees the

> >last stage of appeal, for what is called a Leave to Appeal.

> >

> >We're not wealthy enough to hire a lawyer, but too wealthy (yeah

> >right!) to get a Legal Aid lawyer. However, I was given a little free

> >advice by a legal aid lawyer. I was told that I could go ahead and

> >apply for " leave to appeal " but that only 5% of the applicants are

> >successful. The lawyer did say, " Go ahead, you have nothing to lose by

> >trying "

> >

> >The report by the review board was put together very poorly,

> >(composition wise) there were glaring errors and quotes attributed to

> >me that were just not stated by me.

> >

> >With nothing to lose, I put together my appeal.

> >

> >It took a looong, looong time to get it all together, because of

> >fatigue, brain fog days, days when I was just too frustrated to try

> >and sort through the extremely unprofessional report that was filled

> >with redundancies, Looking at a screen (computer/TV) often causes my

> >vision to go blurry, and because of my " hunt and peck " typing skills.

> >

> >Because my application was not (what I would consider) diplomatic or

> >politically correct) I thought that I stood the proverbial " snowball's

> >chance in.., " of being granted leave to appeal.

> >

> >Last week I received, by courier, the documents that grant me leave to

> >appeal. This was very surprising to me and my wife was very excited

> >about it too.

> >

> >It's great to have been granted Leave to Appeal BUT ...it's still

> >unnerving to think that I will be up against legal pro's with their

> >medical experts.

> >

> >Regards

> >

> >Ken

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements

contained herein are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The

author of this e mail is entirely responsible for its content. List

members are reminded of their responsibility to evaluate the content

of the postings and consult with their physicians regarding changes in

their own treatment.

> >

> >Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends

one is automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of

the attack.

> >

> >