Re: I'm going back to work!!

[Guest guest]

Hi Pjwforadvocacy....

Short term disability options are limited. You can obtain Disability Insurance on your own. Some employers offer short term disability within their employee benefits package. There is the Federal Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The Act allows â€eligible†employees to take off up to 12 work weeks in any 12 month period for the birth or adoption of a child, to care for a family member, or if the employee themselves has serious health condition (the 12 weeks can consist of vacation, sick, and unpaid leave). The following is stated within the Federal Family & Medical Leave Act Law:

An “eligible†employee is an employee who has been employed by the employer for a least 12 months and worked at least 1,250 hours. The 12 months do not need to be consecutive. You are only an “eligible†employee if your employer employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles of the worksite.

FMLA can be taken on an intermittent basis allowing the employee to work on a less than full-time schedule.

The employee is entitled to have their benefits maintained, but they must continue to pay their portion during the leave. The employee also has the right to return to the same or equivalent position, pay, and benefits at the conclusion of their leave.

The eligible employee must provide 30 day advance notice for foreseeable events. The employer is allowed to ask the employee to obtain a certification from a medical provider testifying to the need for the employee to take the leave for themselves or for the family member. Upon completion of the leave the employer is allowed to require the employee to obtain a certification of fitness to return to work when the leave was due to the employee’s own health concerns. The employer can delay the start of FMLA for 30 days if the employee does not provide advance notice, and/or until the employee can provide certification from a medical provider.

There is also long term disability (the disability is expected to last at least one year). Social Security has a very strict definition of "disability". Information can be found about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) on the Social Security web site: www.ssa.gov. The U.S. Federal Government, and most State Governments have a Long Term Disability component within their Employee Retirement Systems. They are much less strict than Social Security as they "only" state the the employee is unable to meet at least one critical element of their job; but, the disability must still be expected to last at least one year. The U.S. Federal Government has two Retirement Systems. The Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). FERS covers Federal (and Postal) Employees who entered the Government after 1984. FERS Employees have Social Security Taxes deducted from their pay whereas CSRS Employees do not. FERS Employees applying for disability must also apply for SSDI. If you are a Federal or Postal Employee, you can refer to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management web site at www.opm.gov for additional information about CSRS and FERS Disability. The Federal Government does not offer short term disability (only FMLA).

I hope this answers some of your questions.

S.

[ ] Re: I'm going back to work!!

YEAH, !! I bet you'll do just fine. Easy for me to say though........at the moment, I can't imagine working full time but then again, you are 6 months ahead of me!! Have fun with those little kids!!

Best, D (RI)

>

> I had revision surgery by Dr. Rand at NEBH last November and I am officially going back to work full time tomorrow..... I feel good except for a few aches when I overdue it. The challenge for me is I am a preschool teacher going back to work with restrictions of no bending, no twisting or lifting over 15 pounds... I do have an assistant in the class but I know it will be difficult at times but I WILL do it. It has to be easier than it was before when I was in sooo much pain prerevision.. I am excited to get my life back. To those of you weary to have the revision so far for me it was the right decision. I will keep you posted on how I do in a week or too. It is so amazing to be able to walk and walk without pain. Hang tight and keep fighting. It is worth it.

>

> revision 9 months ago

> fused from t4-sacrum

>

[Guest guest]

,

Congrats on returning to work Don't underestimate the kids being able to

understand your physical limitations. My kids were 2 & 3 when I had my revision

surgery, and they understood quite well (after a few reminders) that I couldn't

lift them up or do things that I used to do with them. I think that if you

present it the right way and give reminders, your preschool class & your helpers

will do amazingly well with respecting your spinal restrictions.

Good luck!

>

> I had revision surgery by Dr. Rand at NEBH last November and I am officially

going back to work full time tomorrow..... I feel good except for a few

aches when I overdue it. The challenge for me is I am a preschool teacher going

back to work with restrictions of no bending, no twisting or lifting over 15

pounds... I do have an assistant in the class but I know it will be difficult at

times but I WILL do it. It has to be easier than it was before when I was in

sooo much pain prerevision.. I am excited to get my life back. To those of you

weary to have the revision so far for me it was the right decision. I will keep

you posted on how I do in a week or too. It is so amazing to be able to walk

and walk without pain. Hang tight and keep fighting. It is worth it.

>

> revision 9 months ago

> fused from t4-sacrum

>

[Guest guest]

I wanted to answer the disability question. I received short term disability through my employer while I was out after my revision. You can get disability as long as you have paid for it. You may be talking about SS disability; which is something different.

I was off work for 10 weeks after my surgery in 2007. Melinda Malone

From: pjwforadvocacy@... <pjwforadvocacy@...>Subject: Re: [ ] Re: I'm going back to work!! Date: Monday, August 30, 2010, 10:43 AM

, how far are you with your recovery? I'm considering the surgery for flatback. I'm terrified. Also, can you receive disability while recovering? How long does the doctor give you to go back to work?

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

From: "valerie_delaney" <vad61@...>

Sender:

Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:49:50 -0000

< >

Reply

Subject: [ ] Re: I'm going back to work!!

YEAH, !! I bet you'll do just fine. Easy for me to say though........at the moment, I can't imagine working full time but then again, you are 6 months ahead of me!! Have fun with those little kids!!Best, D (RI)>> I had revision surgery by Dr. Rand at NEBH last November and I am officially going back to work full time tomorrow..... I feel good except for a few aches when I overdue it. The challenge for me is I am a preschool teacher going back to work with restrictions of no bending, no twisting or lifting over 15 pounds... I do have an assistant in the class but I know it will be difficult at times but I WILL do it. It has to be easier than it was before

when I was in sooo much pain prerevision.. I am excited to get my life back. To those of you weary to have the revision so far for me it was the right decision. I will keep you posted on how I do in a week or too. It is so amazing to be able to walk and walk without pain. Hang tight and keep fighting. It is worth it.> > revision 9 months ago> fused from t4-sacrum>

[Guest guest]

Thanks to you all for your advice! Its depressing knowing you've worked your entire life and few resources to help you when in crisis!Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerryFrom: RSSSCOLIOSIS@...Sender: Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:20:26 -0400< >Reply Subject: Re: [ ] Re: I'm going back to work!! Hi Pjwforadvocacy....Short term disability options are limited. You can obtain Disability Insurance on your own. Some employers offer short term disability within their employee benefits package. There is the Federal Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The Act allows â€eligible†employees to take off up to 12 work weeks in any 12 month period for the birth or adoption of a child, to care for a family member, or if the employee themselves has serious health condition (the 12 weeks can consist of vacation, sick, and unpaid leave). The following is stated within the Federal Family & Medical Leave Act Law:An “eligible†employee is an employee who has been employed by the employer for a least 12 months and worked at least 1,250 hours. The 12 months do not need to be consecutive. You are only an “eligible†employee if your employer employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles of the worksite. FMLA can be taken on an intermittent basis allowing the employee to work on a less than full-time schedule. The employee is entitled to have their benefits maintained, but they must continue to pay their portion during the leave. The employee also has the right to return to the same or equivalent position, pay, and benefits at the conclusion of their leave. The eligible employee must provide 30 day advance notice for foreseeable events. The employer is allowed to ask the employee to obtain a certification from a medical provider testifying to the need for the employee to take the leave for themselves or for the family member. Upon completion of the leave the employer is allowed to require the employee to obtain a certification of fitness to return to work when the leave was due to the employee’s own health concerns. The employer can delay the start of FMLA for 30 days if the employee does not provide advance notice, and/or until the employee can provide certification from a medical provider.There is also long term disability (the disability is expected to last at least one year). Social Security has a very strict definition of "disability". Information can be found about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) on the Social Security web site: www.ssa.gov. The U.S. Federal Government, and most State Governments have a Long Term Disability component within their Employee Retirement Systems. They are much less strict than Social Security as they "only" state the the employee is unable to meet at least one critical element of their job; but, the disability must still be expected to last at least one year. The U.S. Federal Government has two Retirement Systems. The Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). FERS covers Federal (and Postal) Employees who entered the Government after 1984. FERS Employees have Social Security Taxes deducted from their pay whereas CSRS Employees do not. FERS Employees applying for disability must also apply for SSDI. If you are a Federal or Postal Employee, you can refer to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management web site at www.opm.gov for additional information about CSRS and FERS Disability. The Federal Government does not offer short term disability (only FMLA).I hope this answers some of your questions. S. Re: [ ] Re: I'm going back to work!! , how far are you with your recovery? I'm considering the surgery for flatback. I'm terrified. Also, can you receive disability while recovering? How long does the doctor give you to go back to work?Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerryFrom: "valerie_delaney" <vad61@...>Sender: Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:49:50 -0000< >Reply Subject: [ ] Re: I'm going back to work!! YEAH, !! I bet you'll do just fine. Easy for me to say though........at the moment, I can't imagine working full time but then again, you are 6 months ahead of me!! Have fun with those little kids!!Best, D (RI)>> I had revision surgery by Dr. Rand at NEBH last November and I am officially going back to work full time tomorrow..... I feel good except for a few aches when I overdue it. The challenge for me is I am a preschool teacher going back to work with restrictions of no bending, no twisting or lifting over 15 pounds... I do have an assistant in the class but I know it will be difficult at times but I WILL do it. It has to be easier than it was before when I was in sooo much pain prerevision.. I am excited to get my life back. To those of you weary to have the revision so far for me it was the right decision. I will keep you posted on how I do in a week or too. It is so amazing to be able to walk and walk without pain. Hang tight and keep fighting. It is worth it.> > revision 9 months ago> fused from t4-sacrum>

[Guest guest]

Yes Melinda, I have short-term and long term through my job. I just hope I can keep my job until Dr LaGrone has had time to review my records and set the surgery date. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerryFrom: Melinda Malone <melmalone@...>Sender: Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:41:44 -0700 (PDT)< >Reply Subject: Re: [ ] Re: I'm going back to work!! I wanted to answer the disability question. I received short term disability through my employer while I was out after my revision. You can get disability as long as you have paid for it. You may be talking about SS disability; which is something different. I was off work for 10 weeks after my surgery in 2007. Melinda MaloneFrom: pjwforadvocacy@... <pjwforadvocacy@...>Subject: Re: [ ] Re: I'm going back to work!! Date: Monday, August 30, 2010, 10:43 AM , how far are you with your recovery? I'm considering the surgery for flatback. I'm terrified. Also, can you receive disability while recovering? How long does the doctor give you to go back to work?Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerryFrom: "valerie_delaney" <vad61@...> Sender: Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:49:50 -0000< >Reply Subject: [ ] Re: I'm going back to work!! YEAH, !! I bet you'll do just fine. Easy for me to say though........at the moment, I can't imagine working full time but then again, you are 6 months ahead of me!! Have fun with those little kids!!Best, D (RI)>> I had revision surgery by Dr. Rand at NEBH last November and I am officially going back to work full time tomorrow..... I feel good except for a few aches when I overdue it. The challenge for me is I am a preschool teacher going back to work with restrictions of no bending, no twisting or lifting over 15 pounds... I do have an assistant in the class but I know it will be difficult at times but I WILL do it. It has to be easier than it was beforewhen I was in sooo much pain prerevision.. I am excited to get my life back. To those of you weary to have the revision so far for me it was the right decision. I will keep you posted on how I do in a week or too. It is so amazing to be able to walk and walk without pain. Hang tight and keep fighting. It is worth it.> > revision 9 months ago> fused from t4-sacrum>

[Guest guest]

Actually Kathy, you bring up a VERY good point. I also have AFLAC through my

work. I signed up for the sickness indemity program a few years ago,

anticipating my surgeries. It has been a God-send. Truly, AFLAC (I don't work

for them or anything - HONEST!) is a great buy!!

D (RI)

> > > >

> > > > I had revision surgery by Dr. Rand at NEBH last November and I am

officially going back to work full time tomorrow..... I feel good except

for a few aches when I overdue it. The challenge for me is I am a preschool

teacher going back to work with restrictions of no bending, no twisting or

lifting over 15 pounds... I do have an assistant in the class but I know it will

be difficult at times but I WILL do it. It has to be easier than it was before

when I was in sooo much pain prerevision.. I am excited to get my life back. To

those of you weary to have the revision so far for me it was the right decision.

I will keep you posted on how I do in a week or too. It is so amazing to be able

to walk and walk without pain. Hang tight and keep fighting. It is worth it.

> > > >

> > > > revision 9 months ago

> > > > fused from t4-sacrum

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I wish I would have known more about it before my surgery. My employer didn't offer disability insurance. I had great medical, but no disability. I tried to get it on my own, but you can't have a diagnosis in the past year that requires surgery. Just one of my many lessons learned............................Kathy

From: valerie_delaney <vad61@...>Subject: [ ] Re: I'm going back to work!! Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 6:15 PM

Actually Kathy, you bring up a VERY good point. I also have AFLAC through my work. I signed up for the sickness indemity program a few years ago, anticipating my surgeries. It has been a God-send. Truly, AFLAC (I don't work for them or anything - HONEST!) is a great buy!! D (RI)> > > >> > > > I had revision surgery by Dr. Rand at NEBH last November and I am officially going back to work full time tomorrow..... I feel good except for a few aches when I overdue it. The challenge for me is I am a preschool teacher going back to work with restrictions of no bending, no twisting or lifting over 15 pounds... I do have an assistant in the class but I know it will be difficult at times but I WILL do it. It has to be easier than it was before when I was in sooo much pain prerevision.. I am excited to get my life back. To those of you weary to have the revision so far for me it was the right decision. I will keep you posted on how I do in a week or too. It is so

amazing to be able to walk and walk without pain. Hang tight and keep fighting. It is worth it.> > > > > > > > revision 9 months ago> > > > fused from t4-sacrum> > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi , Do you have any pictures posted? From: <wendywoodard@...>Subject: [ ] I'm going back to work!! Date: Sunday, August 29, 2010, 6:54 PM

I had revision surgery by Dr. Rand at NEBH last November and I am officially going back to work full time tomorrow..... I feel good except for a few aches when I overdue it. The challenge for me is I am a preschool teacher going back to work with restrictions of no bending, no twisting or lifting over 15 pounds... I do have an assistant in the class but I know it will be difficult at times but I WILL do it. It has to be easier than it was before when I was in sooo much pain prerevision.. I am excited to get my life back. To those of you weary to have the revision so far for me it was the right decision. I will keep you posted on how I do in a week or too. It is so amazing to be able to walk and walk without pain. Hang tight and keep fighting. It is worth it.

revision 9 months ago

fused from t4-sacrum