Author Topic: Disabled DUers check in! (Read 4152 times)

Carl · « **on:** January 23, 2010, 04:49:49 PM »

I have wandered the island this week basking in their rage and stupidity but as Frank said it wears on ya so I ventured off into a path I have not looked at before.

From the "Disability" forum.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=250x1

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fugue (846 posts) Sat Nov-13-04 11:18 AM
Original message
Disabled DUers check in!

I know you're here!

I've got Asperger's syndrome, and I telecommute, thanks to a great boss. I did lose my last job, though, because of my disability (then undiagnosed, so they thought I was making it all up).

Who are you?

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Modem Butterfly (1000+ posts) Sat Nov-13-04 11:19 AM
Response to Original message
1. My partner is hard-of-hearing and I have lupus
But I'm not currently disabled. Do I count?

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WestHoustonDem (1000+ posts) Sat Nov-13-04 11:23 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. I have Crohns and Fibromyalgia
Edited on Sat Nov-13-04 11:24 AM by WestHoustonDem
But life is manageable this week. Does that count?

I have heard greenbriar does too.

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teakee (91 posts) Wed Feb-09-05 12:57 AM
Response to Reply #3
121. I have fibro and myofascial pain.....
along with a screwed up back. Plus all the little 'goodies' that fibro/myofascial brings. Anyone that thinks it is made up, may have my body for one week. I need a freakin' break.......honestly, I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

Who doesn't like feeling they are 80 years old (when they are only in their forties) and run over by a truck?

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lazarus (1000+ posts) Sat Nov-13-04 11:38 AM
Response to Original message
7. Oh, yeah
ADD, Bipolar, and Psoriatic Arthritis. I might have Fibromyalgia, too, but we're not even thinking about that until we get the rest of it under control.

I'm on disability, but with a second Bush term, who knows?

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grilled onions (861 posts) Sat Dec-04-04 03:54 PM
Response to Reply #7
104. another psoriatic arthritic here
39 years and counting...

That is the start back in 04 but still blazing today..

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ildemo (43 posts) Sat Apr-19-08 02:27 PM
Response to Original message
219. Work and SSDI
Now what I am on disability, can anyone tell me if it would be safe to work a menial part-time job for some extra cash? Like at the corner gas station?

Or will it red-flag me?

I really need a little extra money to cover the bills, but I don't want to get cut off, especially since I have only been on SSDI for a month.

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ack Rabbit (1000+ posts) Sat Nov-15-08 02:31 PM
Response to Original message
222. Clinical depression

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sakabatou (1000+ posts) Thu Dec-18-08 12:57 AM
Response to Original message
224. I'm disabled in a sense...
I'm not hadicapped like a leg or broken back, but I do have brain injuries.

Imagine that.

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cpompilo (107 posts) Thu Apr-30-09 02:05 PM
Response to Original message
230. Crohn's Disease for 21 years
I'm new to DU and just found this forum yesterday while searching for info on SSD. I applied for SSD and was denied - SSD says I'm not disabled, however, I had to quit my job because I couldn't handle the physical work anymore. I intend to
appeal with an advocate or lawyer. I found lots of great info in a thread yesterday about applying for SSD.

My life was a living hell - I was finally diagnosed in 2001 - my specialist said I was one of the worst cases he'd ever seen. I did the standard medical treatment (steroids, 16 pills of Pentasa/day) for 3 years, none of which did much good. After 2 hospitalizations and near death after taking 6-MP (an immuno-suppressant)I found the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. www.BreakingTheViciousCycle.info The diet saved my life. I've been on it 4 1/2 years now. I rarely have diarrhea anymore and haven't had pain since starting the diet. I take no medication. Perhaps that is why SSD rejected me. I do however have dehydration problems - the Crohn's Disease is mostly in my large colon where water is absorbed. My colon looks like it was hit with buckshot - full of scar tissue now. I still have fatigue issues too. Crohn's is called the Wasting Disease and I can attest to that! I weighed 87 pounds for a long time. I'm now 92 pounds, sometimes more. My goal is to reach 100.

I read through everyone's post here and I feel very fortunate as some of you folks have much worse problems than I. Thanks for this thread, I appreciate it very much.

Greenbriar has that too I guess.

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Maraya1969 (1000+ posts) Wed Jul-01-09 05:23 AM
Response to Original message
232. I have bipolar and panic disorder.

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Jkid (680 posts) Mon Jul-13-09 02:34 PM
Response to Original message
234. I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome since sometime.
I don't know, 8 years?

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Tam3 (7 posts)     Thu Jul-30-09 07:41 AM
Response to Reply #234
235. I have Lupus, Raynaud's DDD, OA, chronic fatigue
   I had my ALJ heating June 4th and received my fully approved letter last Tues. It's a relief that the fight is finally over. I have a partner of 12 years, 3 cats. I want this darn heat wave to be over! I love the Puget Sound and it's not suppose to be this hot. We waited too long to get an portable AC unit, but now that I'll be getting my SSDI we are going to get an AC put in. It got to be 93 in our house yesterday. I hate the heat and our 3 poor cats don't like it much either, so they have been spending their time out in the outdoor enclosure we built for then, and it has shade. It's funny how 87 used to be so hot, but now it feels cooler lol.

Don`t misunderstand me,I am not making fun of illness or disability but a quick wander of that little corner of the island shows what one would suspect...
Thread after thread of how to apply for disability or SSI.

GOBUCKS · « **Reply #1 on:** January 23, 2010, 05:06:05 PM »

Hard to believe how many DUmmies are disabled by maladies I never heard of. They must just go through a list of obscure ailments that are difficult to diagnose, but can qualify for SSI, and pick two or three. It seems strange to normal people, but clearly most democrats dream of the day when they can convince the government they are disabled.

Celtic Rose · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2010, 05:10:43 PM »

I am laughing that the idea that somebody would consider Reynaud's Disease a disability

All it means is that you have poor circulation in your extremities. It can be uncomfortable, but hardly disabling

I surprised that she hates the heat so much though, the heat would alleviate the symptoms of her Reynaud's.

kenth · « **Reply #3 on:** January 23, 2010, 05:16:38 PM »

Quote

my specialist said I was one of the worst cases he'd ever seen.

I'm sure he did, but not in the way the dummie thinks.

The Village Idiot · « **Reply #4 on:** January 23, 2010, 05:23:17 PM »

Quote from: kenth on January 23, 2010, 05:16:38 PM

I'm sure he did, but not in the way the dummie thinks.

bijou · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2010, 05:42:48 PM »

It would be easier and shorter to compile a list of fit healthy DUers who were willing to work.

formerlurker · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2010, 05:45:36 PM »

Calling

on those claiming an aspie dx.

franksolich · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2010, 05:55:38 PM »

Okay, okay, let's clear the decks here.

franksolich was born deaf, has what a physician speculates as "residual autism," is lacking a right elbow, deals with arthritis and poor blood circulation, sometimes suffers from an open ulcer in the windpipe, has significant speech impediments, and has successfully overcome melanoma.

franksolich also gets "depressed" once in a while.

Whoop-whoop-whoop-de-do.

franksolich is not aware of any person who is not afflicted with something, and surmises that he is less "crippled" than many people thought to be able-bodied.

Whoop-whoop-whoop-de-do.

franksolich also works for a living, and is not on any social services.

Shove that up your asses and smoke it, primitives.

You, the primitives on Skins's island, are really such despicable little people with no sense of confidence, no sense of self-worth, no sense of personal dignity.

Bah, humbug.

edited to add "significant speech impediments;" sorry for the inconvenience

AllosaursRus · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2010, 05:59:36 PM »

Quote from: GOBUCKS on January 23, 2010, 05:06:05 PM

Hard to believe how many DUmmies are disabled by maladies I never heard of. They must just go through a list of obscure ailments that are difficult to diagnose, but can qualify for SSI, and pick two or three. It seems strange to normal people, but clearly most democrats dream of the day when they can convince the government they are disabled.

For cripes sake! My Doc has told me to nock off the job because of my back! I could get disability, but it don't pay shirt! These worthless POS's look for a reason!

Un****ingBelievable! What's worse is, these people VOTE!

Carl · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2010, 06:27:04 PM »

Frank,you are a perfect example of what conservatism does...it makes a person who has had disadvantages rise up above them and hold their head high.
Not in an egotistical or arrogant way but just as a person who won`t let life beat them.

It goes beyond that too inasmuch as how life works its way out for all of us but physical issues are the point of the DUmmy thread so will leave it at that.

franksolich · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2010, 06:29:08 PM »

These ****ing "disabled" primitives aren't worth a wad of chewed tobacco.

But not to worry; as things get tighter and have to be cut, il Duce Bo's bus is going to run over them.....and good riddance.

BEG · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2010, 07:27:35 PM »

Quote

cpompilo (107 posts) Thu Apr-30-09 02:05 PM
Response to Original message
230. Crohn's Disease for 21 years
I'm new to DU and just found this forum yesterday while searching for info on SSD. I applied for SSD and was denied - SSD says I'm not disabled, however, I had to quit my job because I couldn't handle the physical work anymore. I intend to
appeal with an advocate or lawyer. I found lots of great info in a thread yesterday about applying for SSD.

My life was a living hell - I was finally diagnosed in 2001 - my specialist said I was one of the worst cases he'd ever seen. I did the standard medical treatment (steroids, 16 pills of Pentasa/day) for 3 years, none of which did much good. After 2 hospitalizations and near death after taking 6-MP (an immuno-suppressant)I found the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. www.BreakingTheViciousCycle.info The diet saved my life. I've been on it 4 1/2 years now. I rarely have diarrhea anymore and haven't had pain since starting the diet. I take no medication. Perhaps that is why SSD rejected me. I do however have dehydration problems - the Crohn's Disease is mostly in my large colon where water is absorbed. My colon looks like it was hit with buckshot - full of scar tissue now. I still have fatigue issues too. Crohn's is called the Wasting Disease and I can attest to that! I weighed 87 pounds for a long time. I'm now 92 pounds, sometimes more. My goal is to reach 100.

I read through everyone's post here and I feel very fortunate as some of you folks have much worse problems than I. Thanks for this thread, I appreciate it very much.

DUH!!!!

Chris_ · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2010, 07:50:41 PM »

Quote from: franksolich on January 23, 2010, 05:55:38 PM

Okay, okay, let's clear the decks here.

franksolich was born deaf, has what a physician speculates as "residual autism," is lacking a right elbow, deals with arthritis and poor blood circulation, sometimes suffers from an open ulcer in the windpipe, has significant speech impediments, and has successfully overcome melanoma.

franksolich also gets "depressed" once in a while.

Whoop-whoop-whoop-de-do.

franksolich is not aware of any person who is not afflicted with something, and surmises that he is less "crippled" than many people thought to be able-bodied.

Whoop-whoop-whoop-de-do.

franksolich also works for a living, and is not on any social services.

Shove that up your asses and smoke it, primitives.

You, the primitives on Skins's island, are really such despicable little people with no sense of confidence, no sense of self-worth, no sense of personal dignity.

Bah, humbug.

edited to add "significant speech impediments;" sorry for the inconvenience

We're with you Frank........

Last year, I finally decided to retire (for the second or third time, I forget), and Mrs. doc and myself go down to the SS office to start our retirement benefits (one year or so after we were eligible)......

Mrs. doc is severely vision impaired, due to Macular Degeneration, and has been "legally blind" for at least ten years.......when it came time to sign all of the forms for the SS representative, she had to have help to find the signature line.....

The SS rep asked her "how long have you been like this?".......she replied, "ten years"

The Social Security representative then launched into a twenty minute lecture on why she should have applied for SSDI, and at the conclusion of the lecture, asked Mrs. doc why she didn't apply........she and I looked at each other, and simultaneously replied, "we didn't need it",........the representative was speechless.......and finally concluded with, "I don't see many folks like you in here........"

Bah humbug indeed.......

doc

Thor · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2010, 07:59:38 PM »

Doc, too bad that there aren't a whole lot more like you. I've heard and read of many well to do people drawing SSDI just because they felt they were entitled to it.

chitownchica · « **Reply #14 on:** January 23, 2010, 08:03:29 PM »

If half these people had an attitude adjustment, it would take care of many of their problems. Thing is - I've faced my share of illnesses. I am my mother's daughter, as we seem to get the same conditions (just 20 or so years apart). There are many MANY people who face challenges. It's called life. I'm not discounting pain and suffering. I've been there, and it sucks. I've had to take extended leave of absence from work twice in the last 10 years, and I'm very thankful that I've had that benefit through work. It seems that these people just feed off each other, and I'll admit that I feel ~~sick~~ ill mentally and physically after reading a lot of their posts. If they sit around and play who has it worse, of course they are going to feel bad. I just get tired of people who won't work because they don't feel like it. From what I've learned through the DUmmies' bitching, SSI doesn't pay a whole heck of a lot. If a person is truly disabled, I'm glad there's a program to help. But when you've read the history on some of these people, you pick up on how they don't get along with people, they are tired all the time, blah blah blah. That isn't a disease, unless we are now qualifying laziness as a disease.

Thor · « **Reply #15 on:** January 23, 2010, 08:07:19 PM »

I dunno for sure, but the last time I received a SSA benefits brochure, IF I were to collect SSI, it would be some $2300/ mo. That's almost twice my retirement pay.

GOBUCKS · « **Reply #16 on:** January 23, 2010, 08:20:33 PM »

Quote from: chitownchica on January 23, 2010, 08:03:29 PM

they are tired all the time, blah blah blah. That isn't a disease, unless we are now qualifying laziness as a disease.

Oh, but yes, that is now a newly discovered disease. It's identical to the condition that we've always called laziness, but now they call it chronic fatigue syndrome, and it's a DUmp favorite. It's probably in the same family of illnesses as that California disease where they claim to have severe, debilitiating reactions to the odor of perfume.

NHSparky · « **Reply #17 on:** January 23, 2010, 08:20:46 PM »

One of the reasons I got out, Thor. After the punishment my body took for the previous 12 years, and seeing how old the goat locker on any boat looked, well, I knew that I'd already more than earned my pay.

Plus, doesn't it just piss ya off a little bit to have given that much of your life and to see so little for it, while assholes scam the system and bitch about what they're GIVEN (yes, GIVEN)?

Chris_ · « **Reply #18 on:** January 23, 2010, 08:24:49 PM »

Quote from: Thor on January 23, 2010, 07:59:38 PM

Doc, too bad that there aren't a whole lot more like you. I've heard and read of many well to do people drawing SSDI just because they felt they were entitled to it.

We sorta told him that we felt a bit differently about the retirement benefits, since I've hit the max for witholdings for 27 of the past 30 years, and neither she nor I will ever get back all that we've paid in, but when one is capable of making a good living for ones family, it just never made sense to me to take money from the government, even if they would pay it.......something in our upbringing I guess.......

Another story about disabilities........

My uncle (my father's brother) was a Sgt. in the Army during WW II, and shortly after he came back in 1946, came down with Polio.......and ended up in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.......

Now, I don't know what kind of disability benefits were available back then, but I do know that he never applied for them.........Being a vet, he got a job with what was then called the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (ACIC) in St. Louis. He started at an entry level position (GS-3), and retired after 35 years as a GS-16. And he never left the wheelchair.

He had cars with "hand controls" that would allow him to drive, and all the assistance that he ever asked for was for someone to help him get his wheelchair into or out of the trunk of the car.......

With the exception of his (earned) retirement benefits, he never asked for a dime from the government......

Truly a man among men, may he rest in peace......

doc

BEG · « **Reply #19 on:** January 23, 2010, 08:32:09 PM »

Quote from: TVDOC on January 23, 2010, 07:50:41 PM

We're with you Frank........

Last year, I finally decided to retire (for the second or third time, I forget), and Mrs. doc and myself go down to the SS office to start our retirement benefits (one year or so after we were eligible)......

Mrs. doc is severely vision impaired, due to Macular Degeneration, and has been "legally blind" for at least ten years.......when it came time to sign all of the forms for the SS representative, she had to have help to find the signature line.....

The SS rep asked her "how long have you been like this?".......she replied, "ten years"

The Social Security representative then launched into a twenty minute lecture on why she should have applied for SSDI, and at the conclusion of the lecture, asked Mrs. doc why she didn't apply........she and I looked at each other, and simultaneously replied, "we didn't need it",........the representative was speechless.......and finally concluded with, "I don't see many folks like you in here........"

Bah humbug indeed.......

doc

After I had my stroke but before I had the three stents placed in my arteries I was working for a school district in the DFW area (I was in purchasing). When I had to have the stents I had to stop work (I couldn't drive because they were afraid I was going to have another stroke and my vision was really blurry from the high dose prednisone). After several weeks off I went back and found I couldn't actually work (I was still having the symptoms of my auto immune disease).

For the time I was off for the stents I received paid medical leave. You donate a certain amount of "sick days" to the "bank" and if you get sick you receive paid sick leave determined and approved by a committee. After my doctors told me I could no longer work (I was only back to work for two weeks before I finally quit) I could have filed for SSI (I was told) but I didn't. We could have used the money but we weren't completely broke. I actually felt guilty getting the paid leave from the school district as some people are turned down for it. There were some people at the time who were much worse off than I was. One person was really sick with cancer (they did receive it) but it made me almost feel ashamed to receive it even though I "paid" into it. I think my guilt from taking the paid leave is what kept me from filing for SSI because I received way more "sick days" than I paid in (well that and it just didn't feel right, if I were single and that was all the money I would receive I would have filed). After about a year I could have worked if I needed to but by that time I didn't need to work. I wonder what I would do if I had to work now and I had the past year and a half I've had with my stupid UVeitis. There were times during the past year and a half that there was no way I could have worked. For that reason alone I am sympathetic to some of the DU'ers who seriously can't work. How many of those who claim they can't work actually can't is another issue all together.

Thor · « **Reply #20 on:** January 23, 2010, 08:38:10 PM »

Quote from: BEG on January 23, 2010, 08:32:09 PM

... There were times during the past year and a half that there was no way I could have worked. For that reason alone I am sympathetic to some of the DU'ers who seriously can't work. How many of those who claim they can't work actually can't is another issue all together.

I, too, am sympathetic to those who can't work due to physical problems. Depression and other things like that make me question one's motives. Hell, I get depressed, too and for long periods of time. I think back from 2006- 2008 (Jan).

BEG · « **Reply #21 on:** January 23, 2010, 08:42:37 PM »

Quote from: TVDOC on January 23, 2010, 08:24:49 PM

We sorta told him that we felt a bit differently about the retirement benefits, since I've hit the max for witholdings for 27 of the past 30 years, and neither she nor I will ever get back all that we've paid in, but when one is capable of making a good living for ones family, it just never made sense to me to take money from the government, even if they would pay it.......something in our upbringing I guess.......

Another story about disabilities........

My uncle (my father's brother) was a Sgt. in the Army during WW II, and shortly after he came back in 1946, came down with Polio.......and ended up in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.......

Now, I don't know what kind of disability benefits were available back then, but I do know that he never applied for them.........Being a vet, he got a job with what was then called the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (ACIC) in St. Louis. He started at an entry level position (GS-3), and retired after 35 years as a GS-16. And he never left the wheelchair.

He had cars with "hand controls" that would allow him to drive, and all the assistance that he ever asked for was for someone to help him get his wheelchair into or out of the trunk of the car.......

With the exception of his (earned) retirement benefits, he never asked for a dime from the government......

Truly a man among men, may he rest in peace......

doc

My dad had polio when he was 12. They thought he was going to die, he was in the hospital for a year. He got over it and learned to walk again and appeared normal until about 10 or so years ago (maybe a bit longer). He ended up with post-polio syndrome. He is 70 today and still works (physical labor type work). He had two knees replaced yet he still works. It is painful to see him walk. He is one of those guys who never misses a day of work too. The only time he has taken off is for his surgeries and the time it took to recover. He also had a triple bypass about 3 years ago and has terrible arthritis.

NHSparky · « **Reply #22 on:** January 23, 2010, 08:43:24 PM »

Quote from: Thor on January 23, 2010, 08:38:10 PM

I, too, am sympathetic to those who can't work due to physical problems. Depression and other things like that make me question one's motives. Hell, I get depressed, too and for long periods of time. I think back from 2006- 2008 (Jan).

Exactly--when did SSI go from a hand "up" to a handout?

BEG · « **Reply #23 on:** January 23, 2010, 08:46:37 PM »

Quote from: Thor on January 23, 2010, 08:38:10 PM

I, too, am sympathetic to those who can't work due to physical problems. Depression and other things like that make me question one's motives. Hell, I get depressed, too and for long periods of time. I think back from 2006- 2008 (Jan).

LOL

I actually did get depressed after my stroke. I don't know if it was from the stroke or the high dose prednisone I was taking (it can cause depression). Probably both but I took zoloft and got on with my life. It sucked before it kicked in though. I would see my kids do something totally cute and I did not care, I couldn't even smile at them. I didn't cook dinner or do really anything for a couple of months before the zoloft started to help. Eventually as I tapered the steroids my depression started to lift so I do think it was a little bit of both that caused the depression.

LadyLiberty · « **Reply #24 on:** January 23, 2010, 08:47:20 PM »

Quote from: BEG on January 23, 2010, 07:27:35 PM

DUH!!!!

That was the one that made me shake my head the most and wonder WHY they would even think they are worthy of getting an SSI check, when it sounds like they've got their disease under control and can function quite well (and therefore be gainfully employed).

I wouldn't want what any of these people have, but then I think that most of them are capable of earning a living

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Author Topic: Disabled DUers check in! (Read 4152 times)