Wellness

[CouponQueen]

On 12/20/2014 Ford1224 said:

On 12/20/2014 gokat said:

I've been through the whole process with an attorney...and had to appeal. The attorney actually only acted as a go-between to SSD, and I was ultimately responsible for the award when I was asked to write a letter to the JUDGE and he approved the case.

Even with an attorney, I had to do all the organizing of my medical records and fill out all the forms...and with my disability that was no easy feat. To be honest, unless your daughter can line up with an attorney that's been successful with her exact diagnosis, I don't see the point.

There's a reason why your daughter's attorney did such a turn-around and kissed her derriere...It's the 25 per cent fee he's charging from what she's initially rewarded!! He can be very friendly now.

If you are in a position to do this on line, I'd recommend it. That was not available to me at the time or I would have. You'll have much better control over what's submitted and know where things stand as they proceed. No one knows her case as she does.

Your daughter is very fortunate to have you and her family supporting her. My heart aches for you all, and I hope you can work through the process together for a timely and positive outcome.

I agree with you so much on this. She is convinced she needs an attorney because "her brain isn't working right," and she tries to limit what I feel I could do for her. Actually she does understand more about her condition than I do. There are so many aspects to Lyme and the other autoimmune issues associated with it, like processes in the body that need to work but are blocked by affected substances in the body that I can't even pronounce, let alone understand. However, as you stated, I don't believe this attorney understands any of it either, and she needs an informed advocate.

I am hoping the Lyme doctor she is scheduled to see in January will be able to formulate a diagnosis for her that will explain what is wrong . . . the problem is he cannot divulge who he is or he could lose his license to practice as an MD. I can't believe that! It boggles my mind! Not allowed to practice something one is expert at that others deny exists because they don't know how to treat it? . . . just does not compute with me!

It is horrifically frustrating.

NY just passed a law protecting doctors for treatment using unconventional methods

[ccassaday]

I was watching a local show the other day that answered ssdi questions. This one guy called in and was mad that he got denied for dyslexia.

[LilacTree]

On 12/27/2014 CouponQueen said:

On 12/20/2014 Ford1224 said:

On 12/20/2014 gokat said:

I've been through the whole process with an attorney...and had to appeal. The attorney actually only acted as a go-between to SSD, and I was ultimately responsible for the award when I was asked to write a letter to the JUDGE and he approved the case.

Even with an attorney, I had to do all the organizing of my medical records and fill out all the forms...and with my disability that was no easy feat. To be honest, unless your daughter can line up with an attorney that's been successful with her exact diagnosis, I don't see the point.

There's a reason why your daughter's attorney did such a turn-around and kissed her derriere...It's the 25 per cent fee he's charging from what she's initially rewarded!! He can be very friendly now.

If you are in a position to do this on line, I'd recommend it. That was not available to me at the time or I would have. You'll have much better control over what's submitted and know where things stand as they proceed. No one knows her case as she does.

Your daughter is very fortunate to have you and her family supporting her. My heart aches for you all, and I hope you can work through the process together for a timely and positive outcome.

I agree with you so much on this. She is convinced she needs an attorney because "her brain isn't working right," and she tries to limit what I feel I could do for her. Actually she does understand more about her condition than I do. There are so many aspects to Lyme and the other autoimmune issues associated with it, like processes in the body that need to work but are blocked by affected substances in the body that I can't even pronounce, let alone understand. However, as you stated, I don't believe this attorney understands any of it either, and she needs an informed advocate.

I am hoping the Lyme doctor she is scheduled to see in January will be able to formulate a diagnosis for her that will explain what is wrong . . . the problem is he cannot divulge who he is or he could lose his license to practice as an MD. I can't believe that! It boggles my mind! Not allowed to practice something one is expert at that others deny exists because they don't know how to treat it? . . . just does not compute with me!

It is horrifically frustrating.

NY just passed a law protecting doctors for treatment using unconventional methods

Hopefully, NJ will follow along. She is getting sicker and sicker and her appt with the Lyme specialist is not until January 9. I am afraid she is going to get too sick to treat and I will lose her. She won't need their effin' SSDI then, will she. I'm sorry for the language, but I am truly frightened.

[NAES1]

Hi Ford,

I definitely wanted to tell you that I ""TRIED"" to find you on the 24th to wish you and your daughter ___________*A Better Year Than Before*.

I am [NOT] on SSI or any disability! But I did read (only) the last 4 entries. That was -almost- enough for me to read by understanding; ref:/ your daughter/Lymes disease, along with the many others' attemp to try to (LEGIT) having someone, especially doctors to understand, not to mention the haaaaaaaah system.

As you may know or may not know.......there are scads of people OUT THERE who are genius in knowing how to work THE system!

Read, heard, KNOW OF, spoken to, investigated profiles of more people than you would be comfortable with knowing about who are no more DISababled than some 22 year old footballplayer making 4-mill a yr, who appears not to be able to to a common high school reading problem.

I'll stop here.......my time is up and whoa,,,,,,,,,,it may not be standard info for these "W" people reading. Back to you later.

_Naes

[LilacTree]

On 12/27/2014 _Not an easy sale said:

Hi Ford,

I definitely wanted to tell you that I ""TRIED"" to find you on the 24th to wish you and your daughter ___________*A Better Year Than Before*.

I am [NOT] on SSI or any disability! But I did read (only) the last 4 entries. That was -almost- enough for me to read by understanding; ref:/ your daughter/Lymes disease, along with the many others' attemp to try to (LEGIT) having someone, especially doctors to understand, not to mention the haaaaaaaah system.

As you may know or may not know.......there are scads of people OUT THERE who are genius in knowing how to work THE system!

Read, heard, KNOW OF, spoken to, investigated profiles of more people than you would be comfortable with knowing about who are no more DISababled than some 22 year old footballplayer making 4-mill a yr, who appears not to be able to to a common high school reading problem.

I'll stop here.......my time is up and whoa,,,,,,,,,,it may not be standard info for these "W" people reading. Back to you later.

_Naes

Getting disability is secondary to us now. Seeing her this past week and how sick she is has been devastating. To be so very ill and not having anyone to turn to, no ER, no medical doctor is going to help her. They will just suggest she go to a mental institution to be treated for severe depression. To be this desperately ill and have no one to turn to is unconscionable. I want to go to the Lyme specialist with her on January 9, and I hope she will let me. Heretofore, she has not wanted anyone to go with her. Even people in the family don't believe her. But I've researched enough (reputable and reliable websites and many discussions from people who are going through this) has put me in tears all day long.

To add to her desperation, it usually costs tens of thousands of dollars to get treatment at a facility like the ones in Arizona that have successfully treated severe Lyme victims. Those hospitals are not cheap and no insurance companies will pay for anything associated with Lyme disease, since it is not recognized as a valid disease. We are not a wealthy family. We could all give all of our income and it wouldn't be enough.

I've got to stop now. It is not right to put this on this BB. But it has taken over all of my thoughts now. I apologize to anyone who is offended by my comments.

Thank you for your warning _naes. We don't have any contacts or know anyone who does. We have no inside track. We just have to hope we have found a doctor who does.

[Colonel Meow]

On 12/27/2014 Peachysue said:

On 12/27/2014 GoodStuff said:

This whole thread makes me sad, frustrated, and a little angry. I know a 70-year old veteran who is unable to walk due to nerve injury resulting from a botched surgery by a V.A. surgeon. He has been denied for disability, and his malpractice lawsuit is still pending. He is in a wheelchair but continues to conduct his business because he is determined to support himself. His van is adapted for handicapped operation, and he works and gets around on his own. Meanwhile, thousands of Americans apply for disability -- and some get it -- for much lesser ailments and injuries. Having worked for years in a medical specialist's office, I have seen the huge percentage of patients who take antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds, sleep aids, etc. The idea that many of these people might consider themselves eligible for public support is mind-boggling. People even want to get disability payments for problems that are fixable. There's another thread on the boards from a woman hoping to get disability because she has arthritic knees -- and she says she has excellent insurance! How about knee replacement surgery?! Millions of people are working productively wiith arthritis, or have joint surgery to make them more functional!

Yes, there are people who are truly disabled and need our help and support. God bless them. However, the number of people who who want to be pronounced "disabled" with vague ailments when they are simply looking to be supported by the rest of us -- or need mental health treatment to get past their disabling anxieties or imagined illnesses -- is tragic. For them and for us.

Great post, GoodStuff, and thank you. I just had to speak up- I have/had an old friend that got full disability and she isn't disabled! The State of Tennessee is extremely lenient on this. Oh sure she had major surgery twice but her jobs- well she stocked cards for , sat on a stool to sell tickets at football games and worked concessions for concerts- she was told she couldn't lift- I can see that but how in the hail they did it I'll never know because I told her you are going to heal and be better but oh NO.. See, she started talking about trading their camper in and getting a new one and paying cash- hmmmm I thought.. sounded not right.. so then she dropped the bomb in my lap she was trying to get SS disability and already had her handicap tag.. HUHHHHH? Then she said she was getting 3yrs worth of pay back since her first surgery.. another HUHHHHHH? Oh I kept the email- she said, "Oh I can basically do anything I want, just what my Doctor says." I got so mad I couldn't see straight... so there ya go... oh yeah her hubby retired early, worked for VA... It wasn't like she was going back to work anyway .. he said she didn't have to work.. so she informs me she deserved it... and you see poor people that can't get any help, like our own veterans... what a darn shame and so, so unfair... How I feel has nothing to do with people with real disabilities but things have gotten too lenient.... in my opinion.. oh yeah she said she was told, "There is no job you can do." I had an answer for that $S, you didn't have to work anyway...

I just wanted to point out that SSDI is not awarded by the state. It is a federal program. So, when you say, "The state of Tennessee is extremely lenient on this", I'm not sure you understand the program and how it works.

[Suziepeach]

On 12/27/2014 Colonel Meow said:

On 12/27/2014 Peachysue said:

On 12/27/2014 GoodStuff said:

This whole thread makes me sad, frustrated, and a little angry. I know a 70-year old veteran who is unable to walk due to nerve injury resulting from a botched surgery by a V.A. surgeon. He has been denied for disability, and his malpractice lawsuit is still pending. He is in a wheelchair but continues to conduct his business because he is determined to support himself. His van is adapted for handicapped operation, and he works and gets around on his own. Meanwhile, thousands of Americans apply for disability -- and some get it -- for much lesser ailments and injuries. Having worked for years in a medical specialist's office, I have seen the huge percentage of patients who take antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds, sleep aids, etc. The idea that many of these people might consider themselves eligible for public support is mind-boggling. People even want to get disability payments for problems that are fixable. There's another thread on the boards from a woman hoping to get disability because she has arthritic knees -- and she says she has excellent insurance! How about knee replacement surgery?! Millions of people are working productively wiith arthritis, or have joint surgery to make them more functional!

Yes, there are people who are truly disabled and need our help and support. God bless them. However, the number of people who who want to be pronounced "disabled" with vague ailments when they are simply looking to be supported by the rest of us -- or need mental health treatment to get past their disabling anxieties or imagined illnesses -- is tragic. For them and for us.

Great post, GoodStuff, and thank you. I just had to speak up- I have/had an old friend that got full disability and she isn't disabled! The State of Tennessee is extremely lenient on this. Oh sure she had major surgery twice but her jobs- well she stocked cards for , sat on a stool to sell tickets at football games and worked concessions for concerts- she was told she couldn't lift- I can see that but how in the hail they did it I'll never know because I told her you are going to heal and be better but oh NO.. See, she started talking about trading their camper in and getting a new one and paying cash- hmmmm I thought.. sounded not right.. so then she dropped the bomb in my lap she was trying to get SS disability and already had her handicap tag.. HUHHHHH? Then she said she was getting 3yrs worth of pay back since her first surgery.. another HUHHHHHH? Oh I kept the email- she said, "Oh I can basically do anything I want, just what my Doctor says." I got so mad I couldn't see straight... so there ya go... oh yeah her hubby retired early, worked for VA... It wasn't like she was going back to work anyway .. he said she didn't have to work.. so she informs me she deserved it... and you see poor people that can't get any help, like our own veterans... what a darn shame and so, so unfair... How I feel has nothing to do with people with real disabilities but things have gotten too lenient.... in my opinion.. oh yeah she said she was told, "There is no job you can do." I had an answer for that $S, you didn't have to work anyway...

I just wanted to point out that SSDI is not awarded by the state. It is a federal program. So, when you say, "The state of Tennessee is extremely lenient on this", I'm not sure you understand the program and how it works.

Yes ma'am, I understand how the program works- and the powers that be in Tennessee be it federal or not are very lenient- I know that for a fact, Jack...

[Colonel Meow]

Peachysue - I'm still confused by exactly how you think SSDI works, but it has nothing to do with the leniency of any state. Regardless, I certainly did not mean to step on your toes or offend you. I just wanted to point out the inaccuracy for any reader who may have taken what you posted at face value without understanding that SSDI is approved by the federal government, and not by the state government.

[Suziepeach]

Ford, I wish for your daughter the very best!!! Dang that makes me mad what you guys are going through and can't get any help.. Hugs to you!!!!

Ford, one of the girls I worked with many years ago hade Lupus and cystic fibrosis- she worked nearly everyday, dragging her O2 tank yet the state of Georgia wouldn't issue her a handicap placard! Nada/nil/nothing!! How awful is that? So with a lot of complaining to our security department at the hospital, they graciously allowed her to park in a handicap space.. I mean there is so much unfairness towards people that are truly in need... Yeppers people that know how to work the system, it will all come back to haunt them one way or the other..

[Suziepeach]

On 12/27/2014 Colonel Meow said:

Peachysue - I'm still confused by exactly how you think SSDI works, but it has nothing to do with the leniency of any state. Regardless, I certainly did not mean to step on your toes or offend you. I just wanted to point out the inaccuracy for any reader who may have taken what you posted at face value without understanding that SSDI is approved by the federal government, and not by the state government.

Oh Colonel, no way did you step on my toes- we are having a good conversation.. and between you & I, I'd of loved to have been a fly on the wall in the courtroom when my ex friend had to testify- under oath... Oh I wish her the very best but I could see right through things when she started saying certain things- I saved her email... I ain't that stupid, LOL ....