Dave,

Everybody I've spoken with (those representatives who make their living
getting benefits for people; other disability people; and the disability
insurance company thru my job) have told me to expect at a minimum of 9-18
months and to be turned down the first time.  They said when I am turned
down, I should hire a SS representative and start the appeals process, which
would probably take another year.

Just going on what SS-experienced people are telling me.  But I hope they're
wrong.

Maggie


on 3/28/03 9:11 AM,  David Moreland at [log in to unmask] wrote:

> Maggie:
>
> When I got into the Disability system I applied for in April and they told
> me I would have to wait 6 Months then i was told in September  that my
> claim was approved but since my birthday falls in the last week of the
> month my first payment would come on the last Wednesday in October. I think
> that was more like 8 months. But it was not anything like two years. they
> told that i would be eligible for Medicare after two years It has been
> nearly two years since I applied. I don't know if that is two year since i
> applied or two years from when I received my first payment. It is hard for
> me to imagine waiting two years. That does not sound right.
> At 12:38 AM 3/28/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>> Hi Scott,
>>
>> I'm Maggie, 52 years old and diagnosed last September (though I've had
>> Parkinson problems for several years--just didn't have a name for it).  I
>> was (am?) a grocery store cashier, and it was just like your "off" days for
>> me, too.  I had to stand on my feet in the same position behind the register
>> for 8 hours a day; bag groceries and lift heavy bags and cases of wine; my
>> legs and my back would scream they were so stiff and very painful.  After
>> 5-6 hours, I'd be so stiff I could barely bend over or reach out with my
>> arms.  I'd drive home crying all the way--from the pain and the debilitation
>> and the knowledge that the rest of my life would be like this!!!!!
>>
>> I toyed for months with the concept of diability.  I put off applying,
>> convincing myself that things would improve for me if I just give it more
>> time.  My MD kept adding drugs, increasing drugs, prescribed a cane since
>> it's difficult for me to walk; and I kept putting it off.  Finally, last
>> month after working 8 hours at the grocery store and a 45-minute drive home
>> at 10:00pm, I realized I couldn't lift my legs to get out of the car.  I
>> just didn't have anymore "juice."  The job and the stress and the driving
>> were all sapping what my body had left--and for what? So I've applied for
>> disability finally.
>>
>> And what an experience disability is.  I'm single, with no other income
>> except the grocery store.  Of course, for the 2 years it will take to get an
>> approval of the disability, I'm forbidden to work and bring in any money to
>> my household.  My house payments, electric bills, medications, water bills,
>> . . ., are all inconsequential--don't worry, it's ok to live without water,
>> electricity, medicine . . . it's only for 2 years! So what if you lose your
>> house--you'll be on disability!
>>
>> You really have to WANT it and NEED it to survive it!!!!  If you're unsure,
>> don't do it until you're convinced it's the only thing you can do. They'll
>> pry into every part of your life for the past 15 years:  symptoms, problems
>> that interfere with your work, problems that interfere with your household
>> function, sexual dysfunctions, every job you've had, how much money you
>> earned in every job you had, every doctor or ER visit, ad nausem.  You'll
>> spend days and days tracking down birth certificates, bank statements,
>> social security card, medical records, tax forms, you'll fill out forms
>> until your hand screams in pain and your eyes cross, you'll spend hours in
>> the interview, and when it's over you'll be so relieved you won't even frown
>> when you're turned down and you realize it's all for nothing!
>>
>> Sorry Scott, to be so melancholy but my world sucks right now and I've got
>> to go thru this for 2+ years, with no guarantees! So, again, please be
>> certain that is what you want, then if you are certain, go for it!
>>
>> Maggie Mauney
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> on 3/27/03 8:58 PM,  scott burnett at [log in to unmask] wrote:
>>
>>> Once again as the school year draws to an end, I run out of energy and
>>> start thinking that maybe now is the time to go ahead with a State
>>> Teachers Retirement System disability application.  Most days at work
>>> are on and off affairs, with the emphasis on the off.  Lots of shaking,
>>> stiff muscles in my neck and back and especially slooooow movement.
>>> Sometimes I can't even double click the mouse to activate a program, so
>>> I have to ask my students to do it for me.  Yesterday was really bad
>>> and I was very much ready to do it.  Today I felt pretty good so I was
>>> feeling guilty about even considering it.  I guess the reason I'm
>>> seriously considering applying is that I find that I spend all my
>>> energy at school and by the time I get hope at 5 or so I've got nothing
>>> left for my own kids and family.  Many is the night that Daddy is in
>>> his bedroom, and mom is working on homework with the kids, telling them
>>> to be quiet because Dad doesn't feel well.  I'm also thinking that if I
>>> wasn't working I could put off the time when I reach the toxic level of
>>> my sinemet.  Currently I'm taking five  25/100's per day.  I just had
>>> to increase the dosage by taking a pill at 4 AM so that I can teach
>>> until my 7 AM and 11AM dosage have kicked in.  Prior to taking the 4AM
>>> dose I was off until about 2 PM daily.
>>>
>>> Anyway, my 13 year old is kicking me off the computer so away I go.
>>> I'm 45 years old and have been diagnosed for 5 or 6 years.  Does
>>> anybody else have these same back and forth feelings?
>>>
>>> Scott
>>>
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