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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 >>> >>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >> mailto:[log in to unmask] >>> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn >>> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] >> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn