Well, I applied for disability on 12/26/2007 the first time and recieved my award letter 2/17/2008. I am 51 years old with chronic pain syndrome, cervical fusion, patella realignment surgery, piriformis muscle issues, tarsal tunnel surgery and Fibromyalgia. The award letter was bittersweet. Do not get me wrong, I am so very greatful but at the same time I can no longer deny that I am ill. I somewhat liked living in the world of denial. Guess it is time to begin the first day of the rest of my disabled life. Not sure what that means. I sure am crying alot! I guess this will pass. I hope so!

I know! It also stated that i will not need a medical review for five to seven years. The frequency is based on the likelihood of improvement. Mine is "improvement not expected". I just wish everyone in my family as sell as my doctors would have been more truthful instead of saying all I need is some time then I will get better. It does not sound like that is expected.

Muffin, I'm sorry this has been bittersweet for you. But just because they say "improvement not expected" doesn't mean you can't astound them all! I have a friend whose brother was in a bad accident. He was awarded permanent disability almost immediately. They thought he would never walk again or be productive in any way. 5 months later he returned to work! He was determined and didn't let any doctors opinions stop him. You just never know. Don't give up! But while you fight to get better, at least you have help now to get your bills paid.

If your depression keeps up, you might want to see your family doctor and talk about getting some help for it. Depression goes hand in hand with chronic pain. Been there, done that!

Take care,
Emily

I'm sorry about your depression Muffin but atleast you have been approved. I am still waiting.
We cannot change our age and our disabilities I know, but somehow we have to go on and try to do something positive if only to make the world a better place in our own little corner.
I am so poor waiting for my decision that I have to go to churches for food but I feel better by sharing that food with other poor people and the poor people I have met while suffering through this system of things are my best friends forever.
Alot of the people who turn us down during our process of waiting for our rightful ss money paid in during our years of working don't realize that they could be just one pay check away from being in the same sitaution as us.
You hang in there sweetie and if your depression gets too bad, there is plenty of help out there :)

Family support is everything! Good luck to you!
georgi

I'm there with you. My neuro yesterday said I will not go back to work (that really killed me) and my SSDI app is zipping along and apparently will be approved next month.

The finality of a permanent disability rating is such a mood killer (;), to say the least. I am 51 and I have MS. Every medical test confirms that I am one messed up person.

Crying does help. And the sun will shine again.