My SSD nightmare
I wrote this on the forum in one of the DS groups today. I wanted to share since it describes what I have been put through by the SSA and how it has changed my life on top of the diseases/conditions I have. I have read stories from others who are living this nightmare as well. I am not looking for sympathy but have a desire to share this information.
I have Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Degenerative disc disease(8 bulging, 1 herniated), Degenerative joint disease(mod to severe in spine) cord pressure, nerve impingements, Spinal Stenosis and from my spinal damage chronic Neuralgia and Sciatica and have disabling headaches with much eye and facial pain. I have super chronic fatigue. I first applied for SSD 5 yrs and 3 months ago. I have a letter from my PCP and a long narrative letter from my Rheumatologist who also completed a 4 page questionaire on my diseases, the symptoms, medication effects and in great detail how this disables me physically and mentally. I've seen 3 SSA jerk doctors and an SSA Psychologist who gave me those cognitive function tests and memory, concentration, etc. I think she was quite accurate except for the part where she described my personality as dependent. What!?? That ticked me off. I worked my tail off as a single mom for years to provide for my daughter and myself. If my mother hadn't provided me a place to live when I got in this condition physically I would have been homeless due to my diseases/conditions. I became a dependent for obvious reasons. But believe me it is not in my personality, I cried many rivers over becoming a dependent.
I got an attorney after the 1st denial on the second case he put it in for reconsideration which wasted a whole extra year for me and of course it was denied and come May it will be a year since he put it in for a hearing date. I wrote my Senator early last month and he wrote back right away with eagerness to help me with this matter and investigate. We exchanged a few letters and the last one I got from him he told me my case was in line for a hearing date and that by law he could do nothing for me, not even expedite a hearing date. What!!?? Like I didn't know I am again just waiting for a hearing date. This is wrong, I am disabled from working and disabled from doing all the things I always loved doing, can barely manage to wash dishes, staying in a friend's guest bedroom right now, all my stuff in a storage unit, one of my dogs at my sister's and one with me. I had to file bankruptcy a year ago. I have nothing, rarely leave the house because it is highly overwhelming and physically stressful. I'm not driving anymore because my eyes go blurry without warning and I have chronic peripheral edema. There are times I can barely walk due to severe pain(muscle, joint, nerve) and weakness. My brain is half fried and very often I just cannot think clearly, my memory is shot and my IQ took quite a dive. People we need SSA SSD reform!! I am not just a negative, whiner really. I stay hopeful and positive most of the time because I will not let depressive, despairing, fearful thoughts take over my mind. I've been wayyy down there before and never want to go back. I know people personally who are not disabled and were approved first time around, about 5 months after first app. I know people online who got it that fast too for far less than my disabilities. Something is seriously wrong with this system of determining who is disabled and who is not. Sherry
I have Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Degenerative disc disease(8 bulging, 1 herniated), Degenerative joint disease(mod to severe in spine) cord pressure, nerve impingements, Spinal Stenosis and from my spinal damage chronic Neuralgia and Sciatica and have disabling headaches with much eye and facial pain. I have super chronic fatigue. I first applied for SSD 5 yrs and 3 months ago. I have a letter from my PCP and a long narrative letter from my Rheumatologist who also completed a 4 page questionaire on my diseases, the symptoms, medication effects and in great detail how this disables me physically and mentally. I've seen 3 SSA jerk doctors and an SSA Psychologist who gave me those cognitive function tests and memory, concentration, etc. I think she was quite accurate except for the part where she described my personality as dependent. What!?? That ticked me off. I worked my tail off as a single mom for years to provide for my daughter and myself. If my mother hadn't provided me a place to live when I got in this condition physically I would have been homeless due to my diseases/conditions. I became a dependent for obvious reasons. But believe me it is not in my personality, I cried many rivers over becoming a dependent.
I got an attorney after the 1st denial on the second case he put it in for reconsideration which wasted a whole extra year for me and of course it was denied and come May it will be a year since he put it in for a hearing date. I wrote my Senator early last month and he wrote back right away with eagerness to help me with this matter and investigate. We exchanged a few letters and the last one I got from him he told me my case was in line for a hearing date and that by law he could do nothing for me, not even expedite a hearing date. What!!?? Like I didn't know I am again just waiting for a hearing date. This is wrong, I am disabled from working and disabled from doing all the things I always loved doing, can barely manage to wash dishes, staying in a friend's guest bedroom right now, all my stuff in a storage unit, one of my dogs at my sister's and one with me. I had to file bankruptcy a year ago. I have nothing, rarely leave the house because it is highly overwhelming and physically stressful. I'm not driving anymore because my eyes go blurry without warning and I have chronic peripheral edema. There are times I can barely walk due to severe pain(muscle, joint, nerve) and weakness. My brain is half fried and very often I just cannot think clearly, my memory is shot and my IQ took quite a dive. People we need SSA SSD reform!! I am not just a negative, whiner really. I stay hopeful and positive most of the time because I will not let depressive, despairing, fearful thoughts take over my mind. I've been wayyy down there before and never want to go back. I know people personally who are not disabled and were approved first time around, about 5 months after first app. I know people online who got it that fast too for far less than my disabilities. Something is seriously wrong with this system of determining who is disabled and who is not. Sherry
Replies
I really know what you are going thru. My husband was so ill and we battled from 2001 to 2007 and lost everything. This battle affected me, I know. My intelligence score went from graduating 2nd in class in high school and having ACT tests in the top 5 % of medical school graduates to \"low intelligence\" grading by two SSD pyschologists. That hurts but it is true. My brain continues to spasm. I just know that I wrote continuously to my case worker in SSD, describing my days and declining health. Even if you don\'t have a current case worker: use the last one. Even if you have an attorney. I found if you can form a contact within the system and they can get to know your problems.
I agree. My husband has severe COPD after 33 yrs as a commercial painter and he also smoked, unfortunately. SSDI is really dragging their feet and he still doesn\'t have a hearing date after 3 months. They said it typically takes 6 months. I hope they don\'t make him get a lawyer. I hope they don\'t deny him and make him repeal. WTF? His doc insisted that he stop painting or die. I\'m sorry you are going through this. I hope you and my husband get this resolved favorably!
My heart goes out to you Sherry. I got my disability in a much shorter time. It seems like things go easier if you have a mental illness. You are in my prayers!
Life doesn\'t seem fair at times and I\'m sorry you are going through this hardship now. I hope this situation will be resolved soon.
Keeping you in my prayers, hugs Gill
Thanks you all for the comments. There are so many stories to tell. Maybe someday after I am approved I will go public with my story. It is a crime (as Oak said to me) Thanks so much for prayers. : )
It is a crime and what makes it so hard is those people who take advantage and abuse the system! Then when somebody desperately needs it they can\'t get it!! I\'m filing for my 3rd time and have a lawyer who is doing it. I have fibro, Osteoarthritis, depression and peripheral edema. I too can barely walk at times. I don\'t shop anymore, I just can\'t do it. I hope and pray that this problem will be resolved and soon!!!
Love, hugs and prayers for you Sherry!
i pray for you..........keep trying,,,,,,see another doctor ,,do whatever it takes to get what you need,,,,,i just do not understand why they would put you through all of this bs,,,,,,best of luck to you,,,,do not ever stop trying,,you will get it,,,,,hugs
Thanks Donna and Maggie for your support and prayers. : )
good luck. don\'t give up.