Hi Everyone - Well, I'm finally going to go before a Judge to see about my disability - it's been 2 years since I first applied. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or info they can share about this. I've been doing a daily journal etc. but am wondering if there is anything else I can do to help my case. btw it's in the US. I think I have a pretty good case as I have been unable to work for the last 3 years and I have tried just about every med out there - so far nothing is working. But of course it's the gov't we're talking about so...just worried.
You might want to check out some of the info on the other boards. Rasushi has a description of some of their experiences. There has some good posts in the past here. You might do a search on Social Security.
Tell me how did you survive without working? I'm finding this to be a big, scary problem.
It is a big, scary problem - we had to move from CA to ID due to cost of living, declare bankruptcy, and we live hand to mouth. We have had to sell most of our things that were worth any kind of money, and borrow money from friends and family. I've sold things on ebay that I've gotten at thrift stores when I feel up to it - which isn't that often, but when you're not going to have food or clothes for your kid...well you get the point. I've also had to go food banks, delay getting my meds (even with health insurance) and our family of four, including grandpa, have to share one vehicle. We have been blessed with good friends through our religion who have given us things when we needed them thankfully. But I have a husband to rely on and I don't know what I would have done without him...my sister is unmarried and is starting to deal with this same issue and we're scared to death. I'm hoping the decision will be positive so I can help her out a little. And believe me when I tell you that there were many days when I wasn't sure we would survive...but I literally could not work any longer - I tried to keep going but I was so sick. It wasn't just the pain, but because I pushed my body so much I was literally throwing up every 20 mins or so and having diarrhea on top of the pain etc. of not being able to move or write...sorry it's a long answer...God Bless you Gimpymama! hang in there, when you go see the Judge do not Volunteer any information, just answer the question as short as possible and you will get a positive decision in your favor. I hope your RA doc has said you are disabled and you have medical records and a letter from all your docs to state the same, and a list of all meds. The judge will not talk to anyone but you. If you have Legal Counsel, He/she may be present. But just be truthful and do not Volunteer any information. Hang in there. If you get a positive judgement, it will still take months to get any money from them. Up to 6.
Take care and may the Lord go before you as your counsel.
Robert W
Tell only of your worst days - never about your best days