judypatootie
06-18-2004, 07:17 PM
:wave:
Hi everyone..
I received a voice message from my DDS worker today. He said that he had all the paperwork back on his desk and would be forwarding a notification of their decision within the next 7-10 days, at least by the end of the month. OK, my thinking on this is: If it was going to be a favorable decision he would have included that on the message, but since it won't be and he doesn't want to take the chance on me being some verbally abusive person who's going to call him back and yell on the phone, he just doesn't leave the decision on the message one way or the other. Does that kind of a gut reaction sound logical, or do y'all think I'm just jumping to conclusions? The tone of his voice was kind of "don't call me, you'll get the answer in the mail", so I don't want to call and push my luck, but it's probably already been hashed out & finalized anyway. No matter what, I'm going to be really stressed out these next 2 weeks!
Judy
Hi everyone..
I received a voice message from my DDS worker today. He said that he had all the paperwork back on his desk and would be forwarding a notification of their decision within the next 7-10 days, at least by the end of the month. OK, my thinking on this is: If it was going to be a favorable decision he would have included that on the message, but since it won't be and he doesn't want to take the chance on me being some verbally abusive person who's going to call him back and yell on the phone, he just doesn't leave the decision on the message one way or the other. Does that kind of a gut reaction sound logical, or do y'all think I'm just jumping to conclusions? The tone of his voice was kind of "don't call me, you'll get the answer in the mail", so I don't want to call and push my luck, but it's probably already been hashed out & finalized anyway. No matter what, I'm going to be really stressed out these next 2 weeks!
Judy
Sponsor
Kaylbe
06-20-2004, 02:41 AM
They aren't allowed to give determinations out by phone. If you have called regarding your claim, you were likely notified so that you could be looking in the mail for their decision .... and so you wouldn't call them anymore!
--Kaylbe
--Kaylbe
judypatootie
06-20-2004, 10:38 AM
Kaylbe:
I didn't know they weren't allowed to do that.. I'm really glad to know now..Maybe I can relax a teeny tiny bit until I get "the letter" !!
Thank you so much for responding because I didn't know WHAT to expect from them. You made me feel better about it :) Judy
I didn't know they weren't allowed to do that.. I'm really glad to know now..Maybe I can relax a teeny tiny bit until I get "the letter" !!
Thank you so much for responding because I didn't know WHAT to expect from them. You made me feel better about it :) Judy
etIII
06-21-2004, 12:00 AM
Hi Judy!
Even your Dr. or his staff can't tell you over the phone. All I could possibly say is take a pill & chill until they get back to ya! I've been waiting for two weeks for a letter to go see their Dr.. They have until July 9 (120 days), to make a final decision. Even tho' my condition(s) make me irritable and obnoxious, anxious and all colours of RED. I'm trying to control my responses with SSI. Luckily, the meds are working! I've tried to help ease my wife's nagging, since it's been harder to meet the bills. "If only things were as simple as they used to be!"
Sincerely,
Ed
Even your Dr. or his staff can't tell you over the phone. All I could possibly say is take a pill & chill until they get back to ya! I've been waiting for two weeks for a letter to go see their Dr.. They have until July 9 (120 days), to make a final decision. Even tho' my condition(s) make me irritable and obnoxious, anxious and all colours of RED. I'm trying to control my responses with SSI. Luckily, the meds are working! I've tried to help ease my wife's nagging, since it's been harder to meet the bills. "If only things were as simple as they used to be!"
Sincerely,
Ed
dalesgirl
06-21-2004, 12:12 AM
Hi Judy!
Even your Dr. or his staff can't tell you over the phone. All I could possibly say is take a pill & chill until they get back to ya! I've been waiting for two weeks for a letter to go see their Dr.. They have until July 9 (120 days), to make a final decision. Even tho' my condition(s) make me irritable and obnoxious, anxious and all colours of RED. I'm trying to control my responses with SSI. Luckily, the meds are working! I've tried to help ease my wife's nagging, since it's been harder to meet the bills. "If only things were as simple as they used to be!"
Sincerely,
Ed
Are you just waiting on the first response for approval or denial? The reason I ask is because generally you don't see the doctor the first time you apply and only on the appeal. Plus once you see the doctor, the doctor has 30 days to get his order into SS so that'll be way past your July 9th date.
Even your Dr. or his staff can't tell you over the phone. All I could possibly say is take a pill & chill until they get back to ya! I've been waiting for two weeks for a letter to go see their Dr.. They have until July 9 (120 days), to make a final decision. Even tho' my condition(s) make me irritable and obnoxious, anxious and all colours of RED. I'm trying to control my responses with SSI. Luckily, the meds are working! I've tried to help ease my wife's nagging, since it's been harder to meet the bills. "If only things were as simple as they used to be!"
Sincerely,
Ed
Are you just waiting on the first response for approval or denial? The reason I ask is because generally you don't see the doctor the first time you apply and only on the appeal. Plus once you see the doctor, the doctor has 30 days to get his order into SS so that'll be way past your July 9th date.
judypatootie
06-21-2004, 12:06 PM
Ed and Dalesgirl... Thanks for your replies.. I think I *will* take a pill & chill ! LOL :) I know what you mean about the moods of being "obnoxious,anxious,irritable and red" !! Hmm, I think you know me! Just kidding.. :) I had originally applied the last part of January,04 & am just now getting my first response. Hoping, but not counting on, a miracle "approval" first time around. I know thats a million to one shot. But like I told Dalesgirl, I was fired from an accounting job I'd had at a hospital for 28 years because of my dissociative and personality disorders & always being off because of my spine/back problems. No one wants an employee who is either always calling in sick, or when they *are* there, God only knows if you're going to be confronted by a raging,mouthy *itch, a childish person who doesn't even know how to turn on the computer, and on and on and on. I'm sick of being at home, I really really miss adult conversation and interaction, but at least here if I need to sit down, lay down, walk, stretch, or just cry because of the pain, I can and not bother anyone else. Or, if one of the other "personalities", moods, parts, whatever you want to call it, comes out, no one has to face the difficulties of dealing with me. Thats why I'm hoping for a first time approval, I can't imagine having to try to work again, especially with people I don't know and who don't "know" me. When I think that might be a possibility, it leaves me physically sick in the bathroom. One employer knowing all the mental, emotional, and physical problems with me was overwhelming enough, let alone MORE employers. I mean, if you would just meet me, you'd think maybe my only problems were daily (constant ) mood swings and a problem with depression & back stuff. The more that people get to know "me", the more obvious everything becomes, and I hate it. I hate that I can't just snap my fingers and the head and the back would just... voila'...become OK again. I'm not a religious "fanatic", but I am definitely a Christian & know that God is in charge of everything...but sometimes it feels like I have a glass wall between my prayers and Him and they just keep bouncing back hitting me in the face. I know He hears me,though, & know that whatever I'm going through with the disorders & SSD, He is in control. (But I'm going to work my butt off to help myself with it.... whats the old saying.. "God helps those who help themselves"?? ) :~)
I appreciate this board and the people on it so much. I felt so overwhelmingly alone in all of this until I found y'all. Thanks again.... Judy M.
I appreciate this board and the people on it so much. I felt so overwhelmingly alone in all of this until I found y'all. Thanks again.... Judy M.
etIII
06-22-2004, 06:25 AM
Hello again Judy,
It definetly sounds like what I'm going thru! Yes, this is my initial application. It's just that SS wants me to see an extra Neuroligist to confirm my back condition. As far as the other dxs., I've got three psychiatrists, my GP and an Endocrinologist. If they really need more info, I could dig up a few more psych. drs. from 15-20 years ago. So my problems are a recurring nitemare!
I felt really depressed the other day when a customer called. I had to let them know that I'm disabled now. I was a jack of all trades and well respected. It really hurts when you can't even do what you love to do. Now, my own house is starting to fall apart and it's making me feel worse. Luckily, my wife of 25yrs. has been understanding. She's been a Godsend through all of this! I had to work for myself because of all the other jobs I've had, were management. I could tell that any job interview would end up the same, they wanted the young rising stars.
Oh yeah, have you gotten to the part where you read the Book of Job? I did and it was just getting me more depressed. It got to the place where I only wanted to read the end when he recieved more than he had before! lol! I was a Preacher's kid so I'm not so sanctimonious any more. Sarcasm got the best of me until I started taking Prozac. Noone could put up with me anymore. I used to have lots and lots of friends, where'd they go? The nurses at Mental Health are getting worried. I've missed my last two appts. and they called again earlier. Gotta try to make sure I get there tomorrow. Haven't driven since Jan. 8, 2004. Guess I'll catch a bus. Sure wish I could go back to work! I also miss that social-interaction. What I sold was my knowledge and abilities(sold myself!). Now my 'product' is malifunction! Can I get back in line for a new brain? A new spine? Or do I have to wait on re-encarnation?
Catch ya later!
Ed
It definetly sounds like what I'm going thru! Yes, this is my initial application. It's just that SS wants me to see an extra Neuroligist to confirm my back condition. As far as the other dxs., I've got three psychiatrists, my GP and an Endocrinologist. If they really need more info, I could dig up a few more psych. drs. from 15-20 years ago. So my problems are a recurring nitemare!
I felt really depressed the other day when a customer called. I had to let them know that I'm disabled now. I was a jack of all trades and well respected. It really hurts when you can't even do what you love to do. Now, my own house is starting to fall apart and it's making me feel worse. Luckily, my wife of 25yrs. has been understanding. She's been a Godsend through all of this! I had to work for myself because of all the other jobs I've had, were management. I could tell that any job interview would end up the same, they wanted the young rising stars.
Oh yeah, have you gotten to the part where you read the Book of Job? I did and it was just getting me more depressed. It got to the place where I only wanted to read the end when he recieved more than he had before! lol! I was a Preacher's kid so I'm not so sanctimonious any more. Sarcasm got the best of me until I started taking Prozac. Noone could put up with me anymore. I used to have lots and lots of friends, where'd they go? The nurses at Mental Health are getting worried. I've missed my last two appts. and they called again earlier. Gotta try to make sure I get there tomorrow. Haven't driven since Jan. 8, 2004. Guess I'll catch a bus. Sure wish I could go back to work! I also miss that social-interaction. What I sold was my knowledge and abilities(sold myself!). Now my 'product' is malifunction! Can I get back in line for a new brain? A new spine? Or do I have to wait on re-encarnation?
Catch ya later!
Ed
dalesgirl
06-22-2004, 03:28 PM
Ed, you sound so much like my husband. He loved working and on good days he comments on going back. I remind him and when that doesn't work.. the pain reminds him. I remember when he had his accident I went into the ICU and I told him of everyone I called, EXCEPT his work. That was and has been the hardest thing he's dealt with. He hasn't been able to drive since 2002 and it drives him nuts too.
sgibson
06-28-2004, 05:54 PM
Hi,
Sounds like the same phone call I got. I received my denial letter within the week. I applied in Nov. 03 and received my denial in May 04. I have had a spinal fusion (Jan 04) and they claim that I am "cured". I have degenerative disk disease. It doesn't get "cured". Anyway, I am working on my reconsideration now. In fact, I will be sending in the rest of the paperwork tomorrow. I wish you luck.
I will say that I did not include everything I should have on my original application. I only listed the DDD. My surgeon had been advising me to stop working and apply for disability for almost 3 years. I honestly did not see how they could deny me. I was sure all my doctors records and test reports would speak for themselves. I was wrong in assuming this. The thing that got me was SS stated in my letter that yes I was severely disabled right now but because I had had the fusion, I was cured and could return to work in Jan. 2005. My surgeon was adamant about the fact that this surgery would not solve my problem and did not want me to expect too much from surgery. Even with a successful fusion he stated it would only reduce my pain. If I were able, I would return to work in a heartbeat. I miss working and I hate having to rely on everyone else just to even take a darn shower. I wish there was some way that the person making my determination could spend just one day in my body. I know there are people out there who are milking the system but I'm just as sure there are people out there just like me who have contemplated suicide or even completed suicide because of their situations. I would honestly like to know how many people commit suicide a year while fighting for disability benefits. I have heard so much about them making the process so long so that people will give up and go back to work. What about those of us for whom that is not an option? What about those of us who may become homeless? We were not financially prepared for me to no longer be able to work. It's more than tightening the purse strings at this point. My family is suffering severely because of ME! My parents have helped all they can but supporting an extra family has drained them. There is no more help for us. I just pray that I am one of the lucky less than ten percent that gets approved on reconsideration.
I wish anyone who is going through this more luck than I have had so far.
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
Sounds like the same phone call I got. I received my denial letter within the week. I applied in Nov. 03 and received my denial in May 04. I have had a spinal fusion (Jan 04) and they claim that I am "cured". I have degenerative disk disease. It doesn't get "cured". Anyway, I am working on my reconsideration now. In fact, I will be sending in the rest of the paperwork tomorrow. I wish you luck.
I will say that I did not include everything I should have on my original application. I only listed the DDD. My surgeon had been advising me to stop working and apply for disability for almost 3 years. I honestly did not see how they could deny me. I was sure all my doctors records and test reports would speak for themselves. I was wrong in assuming this. The thing that got me was SS stated in my letter that yes I was severely disabled right now but because I had had the fusion, I was cured and could return to work in Jan. 2005. My surgeon was adamant about the fact that this surgery would not solve my problem and did not want me to expect too much from surgery. Even with a successful fusion he stated it would only reduce my pain. If I were able, I would return to work in a heartbeat. I miss working and I hate having to rely on everyone else just to even take a darn shower. I wish there was some way that the person making my determination could spend just one day in my body. I know there are people out there who are milking the system but I'm just as sure there are people out there just like me who have contemplated suicide or even completed suicide because of their situations. I would honestly like to know how many people commit suicide a year while fighting for disability benefits. I have heard so much about them making the process so long so that people will give up and go back to work. What about those of us for whom that is not an option? What about those of us who may become homeless? We were not financially prepared for me to no longer be able to work. It's more than tightening the purse strings at this point. My family is suffering severely because of ME! My parents have helped all they can but supporting an extra family has drained them. There is no more help for us. I just pray that I am one of the lucky less than ten percent that gets approved on reconsideration.
I wish anyone who is going through this more luck than I have had so far.
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
dalesgirl
06-28-2004, 06:30 PM
Sherry, My husband and myself were like you. We weren't prepared to not have him work. I was a stay at home mom and to be honest we weren't the best money managers. Our bills were paid but we didn't save money. He had just changed jobs and never went to the doctor so he didn't even have insurance at the time of his accident. HIs parents supported us for 5 months until I could go back to work making the money to support a family of 5. I had always been the type that I had worked around the man's schedule so that he was able to succeed and I just picked up the slack so I had nothing more then a high school diploma and no skills to go with it. I had heard that the state had a program where they would pay to help get me the training to be a CNA which was more money then I could of made somewhere else. Plus, working with my husband made me see how much I enjoyed doing that. I called the welfare department asking about this program and they told me they didn't have anything. I said... "Fine, I don't have to work as my husbands doctors have signed papers so I'll just stay on your system". They gave me the number of a place right then and I got my class paid for.
My husband can't go to work. There's no one that would hire him for one and for two he couldn't do it. People don't understand either that with spinal cord and neck injuries like he has surgery (like you said) is a temporary fix. Eventually the bones deteriorate so you plateau off and then eventually start heading down again.
Good luck with your claim!
My husband can't go to work. There's no one that would hire him for one and for two he couldn't do it. People don't understand either that with spinal cord and neck injuries like he has surgery (like you said) is a temporary fix. Eventually the bones deteriorate so you plateau off and then eventually start heading down again.
Good luck with your claim!
sgibson
06-28-2004, 08:33 PM
Thank you Dalesgirl. We, like you, were never the best at managing our money either. We lived way below our means but we did that so we would always have extra money to do what we wanted and to buy things for our children. We live in a pretty rural area where the average income is around 30,000 dollars. We were bringing in over 80,000. We took vacations every month. Not a whole week but at least one weekend a month we went somewhere. Our trouble started when the company my husband worked at for 16 years shut down due to the economy. My husband works in the lumber industry. He ran the entire mill. Well, he did find another job, but not making any where near what he had made in the past. We were still doing ok however because as I said earlier, we were not overextended. The nail in our coffins so to speak was when I could no longer work. We went from 80,000 a year to around 30,000. The problem is our insurance costs us almost 700 dollars a month. When you figure our mortgage, car payments, utilities, and insurance, well there just isn't enough to make the minimum payments. I wish we would of had the forsight to save money when we were making the money. However, we were young and not thinking that something like that could happen to us. Hindsight is 20/20. I will tell you this, when we do get my disability, I will definitely start saving money. I don't care if it's only 100 dollars a month. I will never again take for granted the blessings the Lord sends our way.
Another thing I didn't mention was that a couple weeks before my back surgery, my husband was hurt at work. He has had 2 surgeries on his hand and has been going to therapy for 6 months. I am going to post a question about that on the boards as we are not sure the steps we need to take to settle that.
Thank you again.
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
Another thing I didn't mention was that a couple weeks before my back surgery, my husband was hurt at work. He has had 2 surgeries on his hand and has been going to therapy for 6 months. I am going to post a question about that on the boards as we are not sure the steps we need to take to settle that.
Thank you again.
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
dalesgirl
06-28-2004, 10:16 PM
That was us... We paid our bills and 'played' with the rest. We took kids camping or to the movies or went out to eat or whatever we wanted because we didnt' have to worry about it but when this happened we had nothing. He had ONE check that came in right after his accident and that paid our bills for that month and then we were sunk. We cashed in a 401K but again he'd just started back at this place so it was only a few hundred dollars. We went from him making over 50,000$ a year to before his disability about 10,000$ with my job once I started working. The one good thing is that because he did work so much and make such good money through his working career he gets quite a bit in SSD. It's enough to cover everything but ultimately there is not a whole lot left over but we do manage.
We too saw NO reason why he would be denied the first time out. I mean here was someone who when he initially applied had broken 5 bones in his neck, is diagnosed as an 'incomplete quad' (meaning lost a lot of strength in ALL four limbs, which he'll never get back), He was not expected to ever walk again, he had 60% spinal cord damage and numerous other things. Our opinion was the medical records spoke for themselves. The fact that he had a C7, T1 fracture alone should of been a big red flag to them. I realize that back and neck injuries or pain is simple to 'fake' and I'm sure SS has MANY claims from people who simply don't want to work and that is their way out but as I said his injuries were in black and white let alone to look at him. We were FLOORED when he was denied and devistated to say the least.
We too saw NO reason why he would be denied the first time out. I mean here was someone who when he initially applied had broken 5 bones in his neck, is diagnosed as an 'incomplete quad' (meaning lost a lot of strength in ALL four limbs, which he'll never get back), He was not expected to ever walk again, he had 60% spinal cord damage and numerous other things. Our opinion was the medical records spoke for themselves. The fact that he had a C7, T1 fracture alone should of been a big red flag to them. I realize that back and neck injuries or pain is simple to 'fake' and I'm sure SS has MANY claims from people who simply don't want to work and that is their way out but as I said his injuries were in black and white let alone to look at him. We were FLOORED when he was denied and devistated to say the least.
sgibson
06-28-2004, 11:48 PM
Dalesgirl,
We do have a lot in common. We used to love to go camping. We had to sell our camper though, so we won't be doing that anymore. There is no way I could ever sleep on the ground, even with an air mattress. The kids really miss camping and all the "together" time we had. My SIL is taking them to Kings Dominion tomorrow so hopefully that will make them feel a little better. They were supposed to go today but it rained. AGAIN.
One thing I didn't mention was I thought because I had worked at the same job since I was 19 years old that would prove that I wasn't someone who had a problem with working. It's not like I wouldn't work. I have a very strong work history. I even worked a second job for 5 years. I ran a tax office until my back started giving me trouble. I thought by giving up the second job, I would be able to prolong working my "real" job. The second job was also full time. So for a period of 5 years, I worked 2 full time jobs. Does this sound like someone who just wants to stay at home? I thought it would be in my favor but I guess they didn't even consider it. I wrote to my Senator tonight and plan to send it in the morning. I know they say they can't influence the decision but I do feel that he may be able to speed things up if I am denied this time. My next step would be the ALJ and there is no way we can survive waiting a year for that appointment. I wish I could see the ALJ tomorrow. I know my doctors will make statements and my church family and family members will speak in person on my behalf.
It's been nice talking with you. Take care.
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
We do have a lot in common. We used to love to go camping. We had to sell our camper though, so we won't be doing that anymore. There is no way I could ever sleep on the ground, even with an air mattress. The kids really miss camping and all the "together" time we had. My SIL is taking them to Kings Dominion tomorrow so hopefully that will make them feel a little better. They were supposed to go today but it rained. AGAIN.
One thing I didn't mention was I thought because I had worked at the same job since I was 19 years old that would prove that I wasn't someone who had a problem with working. It's not like I wouldn't work. I have a very strong work history. I even worked a second job for 5 years. I ran a tax office until my back started giving me trouble. I thought by giving up the second job, I would be able to prolong working my "real" job. The second job was also full time. So for a period of 5 years, I worked 2 full time jobs. Does this sound like someone who just wants to stay at home? I thought it would be in my favor but I guess they didn't even consider it. I wrote to my Senator tonight and plan to send it in the morning. I know they say they can't influence the decision but I do feel that he may be able to speed things up if I am denied this time. My next step would be the ALJ and there is no way we can survive waiting a year for that appointment. I wish I could see the ALJ tomorrow. I know my doctors will make statements and my church family and family members will speak in person on my behalf.
It's been nice talking with you. Take care.
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
judypatootie
06-29-2004, 02:43 PM
hey guys... here it is the 29th and I still haven't heard anything. I am so, so very depressed. Have an appt with the psychologist this afternoon. Thank God medicaid has been paying for those. I really don't know what we're going to do. I have enough money for two more house payments and thats it. period. I've spent last week and this throwing up every time I get to thinking about everything. Getting myself that worked up doesn't help, I know, but... arggghhhhhhh....I feel like everything is just closing in around me & desperation is starting to set in.
Judy
Judy
dalesgirl
06-29-2004, 02:48 PM
Since they said the end of the month if you don't have it by Friday you call the caseworker. Do you have a way of checking your bank account? I think you mentioned to me they have asked you how you want it sent to you ETC... Not to get your hopes up but we actually had the money before we had the letter as we had it directly deposited.
sgibson
06-29-2004, 03:56 PM
Hi Judy,
I agree with your statement about God helping those who help themselves. Just keep in mind that He is in control. :) You mention that you still have enough money for two more house payments, that in itself is something to be thankful for. I have been out of work since Nov, and I honestly don't know where my next house payment is coming from. I had to borrow 50 dollars from my parents today for my Duragesic co-pay. I wasn't sure how I was going to pay my electric bill this month either, but I had until lunch time tomorrow to pay it and well I had the money to pay it about an hour ago. He does provide for us. I also am not niave, I know there are Christians out there that are homeless. I also sent off my reconsideration paperwork a little while ago. I am praying that God puts that paperwork in the right hands this time and I will be one of the lucky few who get approved on reconsideration. I also sent out a letter to my Senator asking him to expedite the process if it in fact it went to the ALJ as if it takes another year to get that appointment, I don't know what will become of my family. I wish we were one of the states that skipped the reconsideration process and went straight to the ALJ after first denial. They definitely need to make changes to the system. I know they need to be careful, but I swear it seems to me that there are more disabled people being denied than there are "freeloaders" being approved. I guess the key is to not give up. I don't have a choice, there is no way I can work. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make this a book. I do hope you hear something soon. What the other poster suggested about checking your bank account is also a good idea. I have heard of people receiving their first payment before actually receiving their approval letter. Good luck.
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
I agree with your statement about God helping those who help themselves. Just keep in mind that He is in control. :) You mention that you still have enough money for two more house payments, that in itself is something to be thankful for. I have been out of work since Nov, and I honestly don't know where my next house payment is coming from. I had to borrow 50 dollars from my parents today for my Duragesic co-pay. I wasn't sure how I was going to pay my electric bill this month either, but I had until lunch time tomorrow to pay it and well I had the money to pay it about an hour ago. He does provide for us. I also am not niave, I know there are Christians out there that are homeless. I also sent off my reconsideration paperwork a little while ago. I am praying that God puts that paperwork in the right hands this time and I will be one of the lucky few who get approved on reconsideration. I also sent out a letter to my Senator asking him to expedite the process if it in fact it went to the ALJ as if it takes another year to get that appointment, I don't know what will become of my family. I wish we were one of the states that skipped the reconsideration process and went straight to the ALJ after first denial. They definitely need to make changes to the system. I know they need to be careful, but I swear it seems to me that there are more disabled people being denied than there are "freeloaders" being approved. I guess the key is to not give up. I don't have a choice, there is no way I can work. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make this a book. I do hope you hear something soon. What the other poster suggested about checking your bank account is also a good idea. I have heard of people receiving their first payment before actually receiving their approval letter. Good luck.
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
judypatootie
06-29-2004, 09:39 PM
i never thot of that...they did take my bank info early on. I'll be checking on that..I need your all's support so much right now. Thank you for just "being here"....Judy
judypatootie
06-29-2004, 09:59 PM
:wave: Please keep my children and myself in your prayers & I will you, too. Seems there are more believers on this board than non's. I covet all of your prayers.
My boys (16 & 15) just came back from the appt w/my psychologist with me tonite. The 15 yr old, Michael, said "mom, don't worry about having so many personality problems.... we love the adolescent one, because that part likes to play video and computer games with us...and we love the gripey one even because we really know you just want the best for us...and we even love the one thats obsessive about the house & yard because we want everything to look great, too... So, don't you see? Me & Craig work together with "all" of you ANYWAY, and love all your parts, cause all of your parts make YOU" * * And I was so worried about my kids..they understand so much more than I give them credit for. They are a blessing that I so often take for granted.
I just wish that financially, my exhusband and I would have planned better, but like you, or Dalesgirl, said earlier, we had 2 incomes..paid all the bills and took care of that, and then saw that we had "family" fun and thats where the rest of the money went. I wish I knew then what I knew now. Oh well, If/when I get approved for this, I know ONE WOMAN who will be a much better budgeter, thats for sure!!
Love you all... and thanks again !! :) Judy in southern Ohio
My boys (16 & 15) just came back from the appt w/my psychologist with me tonite. The 15 yr old, Michael, said "mom, don't worry about having so many personality problems.... we love the adolescent one, because that part likes to play video and computer games with us...and we love the gripey one even because we really know you just want the best for us...and we even love the one thats obsessive about the house & yard because we want everything to look great, too... So, don't you see? Me & Craig work together with "all" of you ANYWAY, and love all your parts, cause all of your parts make YOU" * * And I was so worried about my kids..they understand so much more than I give them credit for. They are a blessing that I so often take for granted.
I just wish that financially, my exhusband and I would have planned better, but like you, or Dalesgirl, said earlier, we had 2 incomes..paid all the bills and took care of that, and then saw that we had "family" fun and thats where the rest of the money went. I wish I knew then what I knew now. Oh well, If/when I get approved for this, I know ONE WOMAN who will be a much better budgeter, thats for sure!!
Love you all... and thanks again !! :) Judy in southern Ohio
feelbad
06-30-2004, 10:39 AM
my husband was always sticking money into the bank for "retirement" even though he has a pretty good retirement pkg coming when he retires.But unfortunetly, he is only 45 right now so thats a long way away yet.The sad thing is is that we have drained all of that money just trying to stay ahead on all of these bills.There is absolutely no way that I can ever go back to work.and we have been trying to survive on one income after being used to two.I wasn't making a huge amount of money but it did pay for alot of things that we are currently having to go with out.the thing is is that we most likely could survive on my husbands income if it wasn't for all of these non stop medical bills.My son had a liver transplant back in 2000,and requires some ongoing lab work and drs appt every month.He was also just Dxed with a bi ploar disorder that was caused by a drug interaction between the SSRIs that he was taking for depression and the prednisone that he has to take as one of his anti rejection meds.That was a total nightmare to have to deal with with all of my medical problems and the ongoing disability BS.Between me and my son and paying for all of our meds and drs appts that we both have every month,we are totally drowning right now in medical debt!we pay over 7 grand a year for our health insurance and actually have pretty good coverage.When my son had his transplant four years ago,we only ended up paying about 100 dollers on a hospital bill that was well over three hundred thousand dollars.We just have such a large volume of medcal needs that even with co pays is costing a small fortune.If we didn't have to pay for all of this ongoing medical care, we would actually be doing okay.but this is all really taking its toll,in many ways.
i just feel so guilty that my husband is having to work all these extra hours so we wont lose our home and is suffering with some pretty severe arthritis in his ankles.His job requires him to be on his feet pretty much all day and walking around.He comes home and both ankles are so swollen and he is in so much pain.we thought that we would be prepared for the worst with all of the savings we had but we are in the same boat as all of you.Even what you thought was alot of money in the bank?Isn't squat,so don't beat yourselves up for not saving better,as quite honestly,it only prolongs the inevitable.I know that they put you through this financial torture on purpose just to get those that can, the incentive to go back to work, but my god, this is so unfair to do to people who are already suffering well documented agonizing medical conditions.Lets just approve it and move on you know?
I am just finishing up the last of my paperwork on my reconsideration and hope to get it in the mail tomorrow.So it looks like we will be doing the "wait" together huh?I am so hoping that now that I actually have the documented proof that my NS caused all of this horrid damage to my nerves during my spinal cord surgery that i will be approved.i am just so tired.Good luck Sherry.hopefully we will bth be approved really soon.i will be sayin a prayer for us both.Marcia
i just feel so guilty that my husband is having to work all these extra hours so we wont lose our home and is suffering with some pretty severe arthritis in his ankles.His job requires him to be on his feet pretty much all day and walking around.He comes home and both ankles are so swollen and he is in so much pain.we thought that we would be prepared for the worst with all of the savings we had but we are in the same boat as all of you.Even what you thought was alot of money in the bank?Isn't squat,so don't beat yourselves up for not saving better,as quite honestly,it only prolongs the inevitable.I know that they put you through this financial torture on purpose just to get those that can, the incentive to go back to work, but my god, this is so unfair to do to people who are already suffering well documented agonizing medical conditions.Lets just approve it and move on you know?
I am just finishing up the last of my paperwork on my reconsideration and hope to get it in the mail tomorrow.So it looks like we will be doing the "wait" together huh?I am so hoping that now that I actually have the documented proof that my NS caused all of this horrid damage to my nerves during my spinal cord surgery that i will be approved.i am just so tired.Good luck Sherry.hopefully we will bth be approved really soon.i will be sayin a prayer for us both.Marcia
sgibson
06-30-2004, 12:35 PM
Hi Marcia,
Trust me I know about that too. It only took six months for us to blow through our retirement savings. (Of course, one of those months happened to be December) We just never entertained the thought that SS would actually deny me. I do know that we will never make a mistake like that again. I sent off my reconsideration paperwork yesterday and sent off a letter to my Senator asking him to help expedite this whole process. I just pray we both get approved this go round. We can go crazy waiting together. :bouncing: Maybe we will actually get to do a happy dance together. (virtual of course) Do you know how long it usually takes to get an answer on the reconsideration? It took me almost 7 months to get my first denial. Take care.
Judy,
It sounds like you have wonderful boys that really love you. That means you have done a wonderful job raising them. I hope you hear something soon. Good luck.
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
Trust me I know about that too. It only took six months for us to blow through our retirement savings. (Of course, one of those months happened to be December) We just never entertained the thought that SS would actually deny me. I do know that we will never make a mistake like that again. I sent off my reconsideration paperwork yesterday and sent off a letter to my Senator asking him to help expedite this whole process. I just pray we both get approved this go round. We can go crazy waiting together. :bouncing: Maybe we will actually get to do a happy dance together. (virtual of course) Do you know how long it usually takes to get an answer on the reconsideration? It took me almost 7 months to get my first denial. Take care.
Judy,
It sounds like you have wonderful boys that really love you. That means you have done a wonderful job raising them. I hope you hear something soon. Good luck.
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
dalesgirl
06-30-2004, 01:15 PM
I remember our December after my husband's accident. We traded holidays with my husband's ex wife so that his daughter wasn't here Christmas and my boys went to their grandma's for the week. There was no tree, no presents, no NOTHING. There was no money for it! That so sucked.
sgibson
06-30-2004, 03:05 PM
I feel horrible. I just had a visit from an old neighbor of mine. We were really good friends for several years. They moved about 6 months ago. The reason why I feel horrible is I got angry just seeing her. I hadn't been out of bed yet so I made my way to my recliner to visit with her. I'm hurting really bad today. My friend has problems with the disks in her neck. She never worked at a job for over a couple months. She hasn't had surgery on her neck. She applied for disability and guess what. She was approved. I should be happy for her, but it's not that I'm not happy for her I'm just sad for myself. She gets SSI because she didn't have enough work credits. Here she is out, running around town, teaching Bible school, talking about working in the garden, how many vegetables she is putting up.... you get the picture. Here I am, can barely drag myself from my bed to the recliner and I get denied!! I know I am just feeling sorry for myself but it makes me angry. I'm angry at her for being approved, and I'm angry at myself for being angry at her. Some kind of friend I am. It's just not fair. It makes me wonder if I hadn't tried to get better by having surgery if I would have gotten approved? How is it that people who can do all these things can get approved when I can't even take a shower by myself and I'm denied!! I'm sorry for ranting, but I know you guys will understand. I don't expect you to understand my jealousy though. I hate what this is doing to me. I have never been one to be jealous of other people. I have always been geniunely happy for other peoples good fortune. Isn't it time for me to have a little of this good fortune? I hate the person I am becoming. I had been avoiding her phone calls too. She "called" me on it too. That's the type friendships I build. My friends aren't afaid to talk to me. I told her that honestly I just hadn't been in the frame of mind to talk to her with everything I have been going through. She decided since I wouldn't answer the phone that she would just come here. She has come over a couple of times when I wouldn't answer the phone. I'm embarrassed to admit that one time I didn't even answer the door when she came. I know part of it is due to my depression but I don't want to finally get things resolved with disability and find myself without any friends. I don't have many as it is. I have always been more interested in taking care of my family than going out with friends. I do have a couple of life long friends and of course church friends but only a couple close friends. Ok, I'm done feeling sorry for myself now. I need to do some soul searching because obviously I haven't truly turned this situation over to God. I have got to give this to Him before I make any more messes for Him to clean up. Thanks for listening. :confused:
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
dalesgirl
06-30-2004, 08:18 PM
I definately know how you feel. Although we were lucky and got it faster them a lot of people it was the point. The other thing that ticked us off were the people that really could work but disability or SSI just seemed so much easier. My husband would of gone back to work in a heartbeat as he LOVED his job and there are people sitting on their butts living off the government that are capable of working.
feelbad
07-01-2004, 07:35 AM
God sherry, I can sooo relate to you and what you are saying.i have a totally messed up clawing L hand(just one of a long list of impairments) with very visable muscle wasting and when i got my denial letter, they stated that since i could feed myself, i could for some reason actually use BOTH hands and they thought i could just go back to work with no problems.don't these people actually read your documented medical reports from your docs?this was just beyond insane.but then i know of people who seem to be able to do all of the normal daily living things and are able to do yard work and go shopping and just about every other normal activity,and they are sittin around collecting disability while i can barely move some days and i get denied.it makes no sense at all to me.Just how in gods name do these people get approved anyway?When you look at this horribly warped system and what we are dealing with just to try and get through everyday,and seeing people who really can go to work and are just milking the system,i think we have every right to be angry and jelous.i know i feel very justified in being angry at these people.i mean we are looking at days and days of unending pain and the possibility of losing our homes and these people are collecting disability and runnin around doing all kinds of fun stuff.This whole disability process just really sickens me.i sure hope we get approved soon.we don't deserve to have to live like this and our children shouldn't have to go without because of us and our problems.i am just so mentally and physically exhausted .I am getting really tired of just having to keep on 'hangin in there".Try and stay positive.i know it is not easy.but we have to for the sake of our families. take care, Marcia
sgibson
07-01-2004, 01:01 PM
Thank you Marcia,
You are so right, it is hard to keep hanging in there. I'm tired of it. It has taken me 3 hours just to get a bath and I am still not even dressed yet. My daughter helped me get my bath and shaved my legs for me. (God bless her, it's nice having a 13 yr old daughter that understands what we need to feel human again.) I have physical therapy at 3 pm and it takes me hours just to get ready to go to therapy. My friend that stopped by yesterday invited us to a cookout with her church and all these other activities. I told her I just am not able to do it. She was like, well you need to get out of this house, it's not good for you to just sit around here. HELLO!! I can't do these things!! If I could, I would go get a job so my family won't lose our home! I just don't get it!! How does this happen?? How are these people approved and we are denied? You know what, I could understand if she had been through years of PM like I have and had finally gotten to the point where she had some quality of life. But that isn't the case. The strongest "pain" med she takes is Neurontin!! Believe me, if Neurontin can allow you to go do all these activities, then you need to be working! I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't feel that way, but if her doctor doesn't feel that she needs anything stronger for pain, how can she be approved for disability from pain in her neck??? What the heck am I missing here? Ok, I'm sorry... still ranting... It just gets to me. I just pray that this nightmare is over for me soon, one way or the other. I'm at the point that a solution has to be found. I pray for once that SS will do the right thing and both of us will finally be able to regain a little of our dignity.
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
You are so right, it is hard to keep hanging in there. I'm tired of it. It has taken me 3 hours just to get a bath and I am still not even dressed yet. My daughter helped me get my bath and shaved my legs for me. (God bless her, it's nice having a 13 yr old daughter that understands what we need to feel human again.) I have physical therapy at 3 pm and it takes me hours just to get ready to go to therapy. My friend that stopped by yesterday invited us to a cookout with her church and all these other activities. I told her I just am not able to do it. She was like, well you need to get out of this house, it's not good for you to just sit around here. HELLO!! I can't do these things!! If I could, I would go get a job so my family won't lose our home! I just don't get it!! How does this happen?? How are these people approved and we are denied? You know what, I could understand if she had been through years of PM like I have and had finally gotten to the point where she had some quality of life. But that isn't the case. The strongest "pain" med she takes is Neurontin!! Believe me, if Neurontin can allow you to go do all these activities, then you need to be working! I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't feel that way, but if her doctor doesn't feel that she needs anything stronger for pain, how can she be approved for disability from pain in her neck??? What the heck am I missing here? Ok, I'm sorry... still ranting... It just gets to me. I just pray that this nightmare is over for me soon, one way or the other. I'm at the point that a solution has to be found. I pray for once that SS will do the right thing and both of us will finally be able to regain a little of our dignity.
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
msrsd
07-01-2004, 11:17 PM
hi everyone, I do not mean to be rude, because I have been there in your place with ss, but I must say please dont judge others about their ss because there will be people judging you all and I know fron your posts everyone thats has posted on this thread should not have to beg ss or doctors or lose their homes because of this system and then after you are on ss someone comes around and says they are worse and why are you on it. I just hope this makes you feel better because we will be praying that you too are approved. I personally cant shop or garden but I do feel like the dog when I ask my husband to take me for a car ride LOL because with my rsd I cant drive. good luck and we are all here for you.
Purplebill
07-02-2004, 02:43 AM
MSRSD, you are not being rude, you are absolutely right. We should not attempt to judge others, they went through the same system with the same requirements as everyone else. Not everyone's disability is visible. There is no requirement that a person be unable to perform yardwork or go shopping in order to qualify for benefits. I too hope that everyone who is disabled is approved.
feelbad
07-02-2004, 09:01 AM
I honestly am not trying to judge others here and belive me, i know that all disabilitys are not visable, i am just trying to understand why it appears that in order to actually get disability,they are making it seem(in the letter i recieved)that as long as I can get through some daily activities,i am not disabled.This is pretty much the way it was stated in the letter that they sent when they denied me.I have many impairments and some days cannot even get myself out of bed here and someone that can actually do all of these things like yard work,which takes really takes alot to do gets approved.I am just really confused more than anything else,thats all.Honest to god, if I could go out and actually get back into my gardens and go shopping and that kind of stuff, i would be out there looking for a job and bringing in money,instead of getting slowly driven insane by all of this crap you have to go through just to get approved.Espescially when the impairments are well documented and quite obvious.One of my biggest unseen disabilitys is my depression that just keeps sinking me into this black hole that i cannot seem to climb out of.I just want this all sooo over right now.My pain levels are up ,my stress levels are peaking and i cannot do anymore than i already am to try and help myself.it just seems that this whole process could be much more fair.
Sorry for rambling.Marcia :D
Sorry for rambling.Marcia :D