jsreichard's Journal

Okay, well as most of you know I had my appeal hearing for SSD scheduled for yesterday. My husband and I drove almost 2 hours to get there and let me tell you that was nio small feat. I really don't like riding in cars much anymore and my husband doesn't like driving in congested areas. We are from a small country town and the worst traffic we have to deal with is an Amish buggy and the Mennonite on their bikes. We love it here. Anyways, got a little off subject. It was a nightmare because we had ni idea where we were gong, but we printed out directions to get there and we did make it without getting too lost. That is a huge feat for us. We are always getting lost. LOL! Anyway, we made it and in plenty of time. I got there and took a number and waited. Finally this lady comes out wiwth a computer disc in hand and asks me if i have a copy of it and if i have had time to review it. I just stared at her, I had no idea what she was talking about. I guess I forgot tomention for some of you, that I went without a lawyer because I was unable to find one that was willing to take my case in such a short amount of time. I was very, very nervous about doing this without a lawyer, but my husband was with me and I knew i had to get through it. Anyway she asked me if I had a rep. I said no. She told me my medical info was on the disc and they wanted to know if it was complete. Well, since I had never seen it before, I had no idea what was on it. She told me she would see if I could use the computer there to review it. I agreed. I waited and they finally found a computer for me to review it, except it wasn't working and they couldn't find a way for me to see the disc. I felt like I ws going in blind. they called me into the court room and I sat down before the judge who was a very yound lookig woman. She was very pleasant and I felt a little hope. She asked me if I was able to view the disc and I told her no, because the computer was broken. She asked me if I had a rep and I told her no. She asked me why. I explained it to her. She told me then that if I had found one he could have asked for an extension. That they always work around the lawyers availability. Gosh, that would have been nice to know before I drove 2 hours without a rep. Anyway, she read me my right to having a rep and then asked me if I would like to postpone until i get one. I felt like a deer caught in headlights. i had no  idea what to say. i guess many of you would say it was a nobrainer and to say  yes, I would like the postponement, but we had driven 2 hours, my husband had taken the day off from work and it had cost us over a half a tank of gas and we have to budget our money pretty close every  week to make sure he has gas to get back and forth to work and this was already going to cause us a great deal of extra money we didn't have. Also, the most important reason, I WANT THIS OVER WITH!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't giver her an answer and she kept saying, I think it is for the best. I am thinking in my mind, will I have to wait another year for a date? Finally she says I could give you 3 weeks and if the lawyer needs more time we will work with him. Maybe you should ask your husband. I say yes, let me ask him and as I get up she says the other reason I really want to postpone this is because you have no idea what is on your disc and if the info is accurate. I go out and ask Bill and we talk for a few minutes and I tell him what she said and he says, take the postponement. I never liked the idea we were here without a lawyer and the way she talked it made it sound that without one I had no chance. I went back in a told her my choice and she agreed that she thought it was the best one. I had told her we had driven al,ost 2 hours and she asked where I was from. I told her and she said, I have never heard of it. I am not surprised. She asked me if Sunbury was closer to my home and I said yes, lots it is only half an hour from my house. She said they will soon be starting hearing there and perhaps I could be one of the first few and that would make it a closer trip for me. We left and started our trip home. I babbled the whole way trying to decide if I had made the right choice. I think I did. I hope. :P