about disability
Yesterday morning, I went to see Miss Barron at Newark's Social Security Administration building on Springfield Avenue. We discussed my application for disability. I used the SSA's web-based application process, which included completing a voluminous medical and work history inventory (they call it a report). The printed version of the report is an inch thick.
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly and helpful she was, and a little depressed by how positive she was about the merits of my case. She sent it all off to the State SSA office, who will make the final determination. If I get turned down, I appeal. Miss Barron felt that I had a strong case already, however, because I've had so many surgeries and have seen so many doctors and am still seeking treatment. It takes three to five months for a determination to be made. I brought and signed 18 copies of a medical records release form, and my assumption is that the medical review is what takes the time. First they have to request the records, then review them, then decide if I have to see one of their doctors (at no cost to me, of course), and then decide if they really believe I can't work.
The drag is that I can't work. Oh, I can do little things here and there, I suppose. I can't do anything that requires me to show up for other people, though, because I can't count on my energy level or on my body to be relatively pain-free. Most jobs require you to be there when other people need you. So my physical ability to work is disjointed, unpredictable and extremely limited anyway. Monday afternoon I did about an hour of light garden work - cutting off dead flowers, taking them to the back yard compost pile, cutting herbs and freezing them for later use, sweeping the front porch. I was completely exhausted and in terrible pain by the end of the time because of course I pushed myself beyond my pain and energy level. I had to take a nap, and Tuesday was a lost day. I slept until 2 p.m., did some computer stuff, reclined in a chair to read, dragged myself to Alana's for dinner, and was in bed by 9:30 p.m. again. It is very disheartening to recognize continuing physical limitations, yet again. For this is not the first time I have had such experiences. The only way I have consistent energy levels is when I do almost nothing every day. Then I can get up before noon and have some energy for my niece Julia before supper, go to a meeting, talk on the phone, maybe do a little shopping, go on-line to read & send e-mail, and look up stuff that interests me. I also am taking on-line classes, and can do the work when I'm able to - no schedule to adhere to except weekly deadlines for assignments. Everyone else in the classes is working full-time, and I think I'm the only one to get my work in late. Oh well.
It's been incredibly depressing, hence the length of time between posts on this blog. As I get used to my condition, I feel a little better emotionally, and more able to communicate. Acceptance is key.
Now I just have to complete the process of dealing with my private insurer to get them to pay for my disability that I've paid premiums on for years. They are definitely not very nice. I'm hoping that with federal SSA's concurrence with dates, etc. I can get them to agree sooner rather than later. For they will agree, of that I am sure and determined to make happen.
Gotta go lie down - back and hip hurt!
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly and helpful she was, and a little depressed by how positive she was about the merits of my case. She sent it all off to the State SSA office, who will make the final determination. If I get turned down, I appeal. Miss Barron felt that I had a strong case already, however, because I've had so many surgeries and have seen so many doctors and am still seeking treatment. It takes three to five months for a determination to be made. I brought and signed 18 copies of a medical records release form, and my assumption is that the medical review is what takes the time. First they have to request the records, then review them, then decide if I have to see one of their doctors (at no cost to me, of course), and then decide if they really believe I can't work.
The drag is that I can't work. Oh, I can do little things here and there, I suppose. I can't do anything that requires me to show up for other people, though, because I can't count on my energy level or on my body to be relatively pain-free. Most jobs require you to be there when other people need you. So my physical ability to work is disjointed, unpredictable and extremely limited anyway. Monday afternoon I did about an hour of light garden work - cutting off dead flowers, taking them to the back yard compost pile, cutting herbs and freezing them for later use, sweeping the front porch. I was completely exhausted and in terrible pain by the end of the time because of course I pushed myself beyond my pain and energy level. I had to take a nap, and Tuesday was a lost day. I slept until 2 p.m., did some computer stuff, reclined in a chair to read, dragged myself to Alana's for dinner, and was in bed by 9:30 p.m. again. It is very disheartening to recognize continuing physical limitations, yet again. For this is not the first time I have had such experiences. The only way I have consistent energy levels is when I do almost nothing every day. Then I can get up before noon and have some energy for my niece Julia before supper, go to a meeting, talk on the phone, maybe do a little shopping, go on-line to read & send e-mail, and look up stuff that interests me. I also am taking on-line classes, and can do the work when I'm able to - no schedule to adhere to except weekly deadlines for assignments. Everyone else in the classes is working full-time, and I think I'm the only one to get my work in late. Oh well.
It's been incredibly depressing, hence the length of time between posts on this blog. As I get used to my condition, I feel a little better emotionally, and more able to communicate. Acceptance is key.
Now I just have to complete the process of dealing with my private insurer to get them to pay for my disability that I've paid premiums on for years. They are definitely not very nice. I'm hoping that with federal SSA's concurrence with dates, etc. I can get them to agree sooner rather than later. For they will agree, of that I am sure and determined to make happen.
Gotta go lie down - back and hip hurt!
posted by julieannerickson at 12:58 PM
1 Comments:
My dear Julia:
I had no idea it had gotten this difficult for you. I'm thinking of you all the time, miss you, and love you a lot.
Cyn
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