9/12/2007I must say that I am a little angry today. I just received notification from social security denying my claim for disability. Rejection of my claim was not unexpected and by itself did not anger me. What really ticked me off was the way they phrased it. they said that after conferring with all my doctors and considering my age and education they said that I was impaired but not disabled.  "OK," I thought, "maybe I don't meet their criteria for disability."  What they said next was the kicker...they said that my impairment did not prevent me from working as a Captain in a correctional institution,which was my former position. Now that really got me mad!!I have had asthma for a little over a year and it has virtually ended my career. I could no longer tolerate the poor air circulation, cleaning solutions, deodorizers, and intense stress at the jail. Not to mention the physical altercations, exposure to disease from inmates just off the streets (tuberculosis, MRSA infections, hepatitis, HIV, etc.) and the use of pepper spray to control combative inmates. I fought against retirement for as long as I could but after being sent to the ER with breathing problems 4 times and sent home from the job on 3 other occasions, I knew I had to leave. One night I had to spend in ICU because of exposure to pepper spray. I tried so hard to stay on the job but I was in danger of a major attack at any time while on duty and was placing others who depended on me in danger also. I mean, how can you depend on someone who has an asthma attack during a fight?  I didn't make the decision to end my career of 25 years and 10 months lightly.  I resisted it like hell. I have a pension and some savings so this decsion wasn't catastrophic. In fact, I knew disability was a long shot. It's just how they phrased it. If there was any possible way I could have continued working at the jail, I would have.  they just don't have a clue!In closing I'll just say GRRRR!Be well,tom