Good news in the midst of chaos

[DammitJanet]

My letter from SSA arrived with my Disability Hearing date!

This is with the Administrative Law Judge. Now I realize most folks wouldnt be excited to get a date to go before a judge but after waiting over two years for disability...the time is here!

I have been denied twice and this is it. I dont know what I will do if I get denied again because my work credits wont carry me forward to another application.

I am cautiously optimistic. I have boatloads of psychiatric records currently but my physical records are a bit dated because I havent been able to afford to see a doctor. I am pretty sure though that the evidence is enough that my physical stuff wouldnt change, and my psychiatric issues are enough to carry me.

I am very nervous about the hearing and talking to the judge because of my anxiety but I can only do what I can do. If my discomfort and anxiety shows...so be it. Im taking husband along to testify about how my disorders effect me.

I had to laugh...one of the questions about decompensation was "losing control" or "blowing up" during times of stress. Uhhhh...do you think blowing a hole in the floor of your mobile home qualifies? Or maybe I should just take pictures of my walls where I have punched holes in them...sigh.

 

[donna723]

I'll be keeping fingers crossed and saying a little prayer that you get approved!

:thumb:

Maybe if your anxiety and discomfort show a little bit during the hearing, it might actually help your case! Good luck to you.

 

[kris]

<span style='font-size: 14pt'> <span style='font-family: Georgia'> <span style="color: #990000"> crossing all available appendages that all goes well.

kris </span> </span> </span>

 

[flutterbee]

Fingers crossed for you. Good luck!

 

[Wiped Out]

Keeping a good thought and crossing all body parts.

 

[Kathy813]

If anyone needs a break right now, it's you. I'll cross fingers and toes!

~Kathy

 

[Hound dog]

Crossing fingers and toes. And saying a special prayer.

Hugs

 

[I'm Hangin' on by a Thread]

Ohhh Janet - I will be crossing every thing I have. I just had my hearing on March 7. (I am 99.99% sure of my results but don't want to jinx anything by posting it - until I have my actual benefits letter in hand.)

Two things come to mind:

First - don't try to hide your anxiety at the hearing. You have to SHOW them how hard it is for you. I was a basket case and it showed. My 12 year old (difficult child #2) had to escort me into Boston because there was NO WAY I could navigate the trains and subways by myself. I let the judge know that. And I also get weepy when I have to talk about my problems. That's just part of my diagnosis. The hearing is not the time to put up a brave front. Show intellegence and class - but also let them see how hard it is for you.

Second - you HAVE to show that you are currently in treatment. The judge will be looking for ongoing medical appointments and current doctor visits. Do whatever you can to get one more doctor visit in before the hearing.

I don't think that you will be able to bring husband into the actual hearing. I couldn't bring my son in and several other people were told that they couldn't bring their "people" in either.

I know where you are coming from (and going through) and I wish you the best. I understand how much is riding on this hearing.

If you want more info - please feel free to PM me.

Amy

 

[Stella Johnson]

I hope it works out for you. I know it has taken forever it seems.

Steph

 

[Loris]

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. I really hope it finally comes through. You've waited too long already, you shouldn't have had to. Everything crossed!

 

[DammitJanet]

I am currently in treatment for my psychiatric stuff and see the therapist weekly and the psychiatrist every 2 months. I have been in treatment for the psychiatric stuff for years and the physical stuff for years but the physical stuff had to drop off when I lost insurance because there are no income based orthos or rhuemys in my area.

 

[Lothlorien]

Prayers that everything goes well, Janet. You certainly do deserve a break right now.

 

[1905]

That's great you finally got a date. Is it soon? I hope so. Do you ever consider a finding a lawyer whose specialty is disability cases? Maybe you can find a pro-bono one- or one who will accept payment after you win. Just a thought. I can't understand why it takes so long to get any type of disability. People can't work. They need money to live. My dad had to wait years. The man had a stroke. He can't remember things. He was a pharmacist. He also can't walk. He got denied at first too. But on appeal yes he gets it. Keeping my fingers crossed.-Alyssa

 

[Martie]

Janet,

I'm really hoping this works for you this time around.

{{HUGS}}

Martie

 

[rejectedmom]

I hope it works out well for you Janet. -RM