Re: [TMIC] Working With a Disability in California
Hi Everyone, I am on ssdi and I have gone back to work. The government really worked with me to help get back to work. I got a ticket to work in the mail with my information about ssdi. This is kind of a safe way to go back to work. When you call the number on the ticket they give you names of people who will help you get back to work. I met with my career counselor to discuss what I would be able to do. I can't do what I used to (I was a medical assistant) because there is just too much walking around, but I am working in a doctor's office doing recpetionist/insurance verification. He helped me put together a resume and help find places that where looking for help. He also explain exactly how it works with the ssdi. I get my whole disability check while I am still working for 1 year regardless of how much money I make. During that year I can stop working at any time if I have to and there is no stop in my checks or new application. After that year I only get a check if my income is below a certain amount (I think it is $640) which I will definetly go over. For five years I can go back on disability if I am incapacitated by the same illness or anything caused by it without having to reapply. This is kind of a cushion to help people go back to work. I started working in september and so far I am still working. I am so happy to be doing something productive and getting out of the house. Lynn (in RI) - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; tmic-list@eskimo.com Sent: Monday, May 28, 2007 11:39 PM Subject: Re: [TMIC] Working With a Disability in California Hi Todd, If I were to get strong enough to know that I were able to make the transition back to work, it would be great. I certainly would be able to make more money than I do on disability and would feel much more productive. It's really difficult when you know though that you would be making a huge mistake if you are jeopardizing your finances if you fail. To know that your income could seize from your disability and I am not sure of how it would work with SSDI. Not sure about the posibility of having to reapply and get re-approved. I certainly hope that there aren't any people in our group that are making this mistake and getting themselves in this kind of trouble. My eight year anniversary with TM is 6/1/07, so I don't think I'm going to be getting strong enough to get back to work now. Hugs to all, Barbara A in sunny and warm Auburn, CA -- See what's free at AOL.com.
Re: [TMIC] Working With a Disability in California
Hello Lynn and TMIC group, Thank you so much for clearing up the SSDI return to work issues. It is so good to hear from somebody who has been there, done that, so to speak. And, it's wonderful to know that it can a really good personal experience all the way around and to be able go back to work. To be able to add that income back into the household again, a huge bonus. Congratulations! Just to clarify, my original comments were really to let people know how dangerous it can be if you do not understand your LTD policy coverage and how it works. Believe me, they are more than happy to get you off of their payrolls. Hugs to all, Barbara A in Auburn, CA ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
Re: [TMIC] OT OT: Parking Update
Update to my parking situation: I wrote a letter to my board, very calmly requesting they accomodate me by giving me an off-street parking space closer to the entrance to the building, (which is non-handicapped acessible, but still the closest way in and out of this building). The board member didn't want to take the letter and tried to hand it back to me. I wouldn't take it back. That was last Friday. He said the board was having a meeting and would discuss the issue. The meeting was supposed to take place last night, I haven't heard anything yet. I called my town planning and zoning commission today and told them my situation. Long story even longer, they told me that for the multi-unit building I live in there are supposed to be _FOUR OFF-STREET HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES CLOSEST TO A HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE_. Anyone care to guess how many such spaces exist here? ***ZERO OFF-STREET HANDICAPPED SPACES!* I told the woman from the zoning commission this and asked her how to go about getting these spaces put in. She referred me to some information on their website which didn't load properly onto my computer. I will be calling them again. I am waiting to hear what resulted from the board's meeting last night before I proceed. Kevin Akua wrote: Dear Akua, I am sorry you have had to go through all that you have. A cyber-friend of mine who is from the UK told me that this kind of thing doesn't happen there. There is apparently a much more civil and moral treatment of those with disabilities there. Your car is in your own driveway and you are being hassled? Yes. As long as it isn't a danger to anyone, or blocking anyone's access, I don't understand this. Neither do I... the driveway is part of the lot, is offf the street, is part of my yard Is it a fire issue? I mean if heaven forbid a fire engine had to get to your house? The driveway is at the back side. There is a front walkway in other words more than one way to access the house. I have contacted several agencies already, and it is amazing just how little help there is out there, in my state anyway. The one exception has been the Fair Housing Association. They have at least helped me get my car into an off-street space, and are continuing to help me. Delighted to hear that you have had some help but YES there is shockingly little help or grace I just never needed any assistance before and didn't know how incredibly lucky and independent i was... I will take this to court if that's what it takes. All the best, Kevin Wishing you success and peace, Akua
Re: [TMIC] Getting Humble...
Kevin, I am sending this to the list and not to your email address as I want the entire list to know how proud I am of you for sending in this email. It is so wise of you to listen to your body, and get the aids that will help you to live your life in as full a manner as possible. Like you, I have had to purchase my own Hugo, but am so glad that I did as I use it everyday. After having TM for eight years, I have learned many things, and still have trouble with some. There are so many things available to us to help us with our everyday lives. If we use them, we can go out of our homes and enjoy our lives as much as possible. This is true for some of us more than others, but we owe it to ourselves to make use of these aids. I'm one of the walking wounded, and still have many aids. I have 2 wheelchairs, one for inside and one for outside. I have 2 sets of canadian crutches, a scooter, 3 canes, a Hugo and a walking stick. I rotate between the manual wheelchair and scooter for shopping malls, traveling, warehouse stores, fairs, anything that requires more than 1/2 block of walking or standing for more than 10 minutes. I use the crutches or cane in the house, the Hugo if I need to carry anything or tired, and the sometimes the walking stick when my brother's around since he made it for me. I use the wheelchair in the house when I've really overdone it and need to give my body a rest or I'm sick and not functioning at all. I have one of the canes in each car at all times, since I've gone out without one a few times and gotten myself stuck being too tired to walk without one a few years ago. And, it's easier to put a cane in a shopping cart than crutches. But, I still haven't been able to agree to have a lift installed on the back of my vehicle for my scooter. I don't want to drive around town with it dangling back there saying here I come, disabled on board! I don't drive aro und town with my disabled placard dangling from the mirror either, although many do. You really aren't supposed to since it obstructs your view, but I've forgotten to display it a few times. I don't tell all when people ask how I am doing. Actually, I don't think most want to really hear about all the aches and pains that we have. If I'm having a really bad night, my husband knows that it may follow with a bad day. He doesn't know all that I go through, but does hear my crying in the middle of the night sometimes in pain when the spasms get really bad. He knows most of what is going on with me, but most don't. I have very bad pain in my left leg on some days due to 2 DVT's that have caused poor circulation. All I can do for that is take some pain medication. I manage my nerve pain during the day pretty well with Neurontin, but during the night it's a different story. I'd say that most nights I am awake at 3am with the heebie jeebies in my legs, where the skin is so irritable that I cannot allow the other leg to touch or any fabric either. So, sleep is impossible at that time. There are many nights that I do not get to sleep, but fall asleep around 6am out of exhaustion or due to a Vicodin. I take 20mg Baclofen for spasms. I take the Neurontin and Baclofen at about 11:30 pm in an attempt to keep the legs quiet during the night. This used to work, but hasn't recently. Sometimes I take another 1/2 tablet (I have 10mg tablets) after a few hrs if it doesn't seem to be working. Sometimes the spasms start around 8-9pm, so I'll take it then, and then I won't take again unless it gets bad. Does anyone have any ideas of a better way to take care of these problems, other than the mj? I'm really not wanting to use it if I can find another way. Hugs to all, Barbara A in Auburn, CA ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
Re: [TMIC] Getting Humble
Hello Tracey, How is your daughter doing lately? I haven't heard you give a progress report recently, but maybe I missed it. Anyway, isn't it hard to understand how we can be so invisable when we actually take up more room in a wheelchair than we do standing? Incredible! When approaching a door you would think that most people would offer to hold it open for you, but NOT! It would generally only take an extra minute and would be so much easier for us. I politely decline the offer many times and some are not hard for me. I have gotten very good at opening doors for myself, but some of them are so very heavy and large. I am always using something, generally my crutches as I feel more stable with them. Falling is just not an option for me when I'm out. It's bad enough to do it at home, but I don't have anything to pull myself up on when I'm out. I can't get the wheelchair out of the car by myself, so I don't generally shop much alone, except for groceries. I sure love those automatic doors in the grocery stores. How many of us have been told by very healthy adults that they wish they had a scooter to ride on while shopping? That peeves me, but I politely tell them that they really don't want to be me and that I'd much rather be able to walk all day long than to need to use it to be able to function. When kids say it - no problem. They see it as fun. My grandsons have loved to ride with me. Hugs to all, Barbara A in Auburn, CA ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
Re: [TMIC] OT OT: Parking Update
Keep after them Kevin. You will win one way or the other by the sound of things. Heather in Calgary - Original Message - From: Kevin Wolfthal To: Tmic-list@eskimo.com Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 4:17 PM Subject: Re: [TMIC] OT OT: Parking Update Update to my parking situation: I wrote a letter to my board, very calmly requesting they accomodate me by giving me an off-street parking space closer to the entrance to the building, (which is non-handicapped acessible, but still the closest way in and out of this building). The board member didn't want to take the letter and tried to hand it back to me. I wouldn't take it back. That was last Friday. He said the board was having a meeting and would discuss the issue. The meeting was supposed to take place last night, I haven't heard anything yet. I called my town planning and zoning commission today and told them my situation. Long story even longer, they told me that for the multi-unit building I live in there are supposed to be FOUR OFF-STREET HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES CLOSEST TO A HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE. Anyone care to guess how many such spaces exist here? ***ZERO OFF-STREET HANDICAPPED SPACES!* I told the woman from the zoning commission this and asked her how to go about getting these spaces put in. She referred me to some information on their website which didn't load properly onto my computer. I will be calling them again. I am waiting to hear what resulted from the board's meeting last night before I proceed. Kevin Akua wrote: Dear Akua, I am sorry you have had to go through all that you have. A cyber-friend of mine who is from the UK told me that this kind of thing doesn't happen there. There is apparently a much more civil and moral treatment of those with disabilities there. Your car is in your own driveway and you are being hassled? Yes. As long as it isn't a danger to anyone, or blocking anyone's access, I don't understand this. Neither do I... the driveway is part of the lot, is offf the street, is part of my yard Is it a fire issue? I mean if heaven forbid a fire engine had to get to your house? The driveway is at the back side. There is a front walkway in other words more than one way to access the house. I have contacted several agencies already, and it is amazing just how little help there is out there, in my state anyway. The one exception has been the Fair Housing Association. They have at least helped me get my car into an off-street space, and are continuing to help me. Delighted to hear that you have had some help but YES there is shockingly little help or grace I just never needed any assistance before and didn't know how incredibly lucky and independent i was... I will take this to court if that's what it takes. All the best, Kevin Wishing you success and peace, Akua -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.4/825 - Release Date: 5/30/2007 3:03 PM
Re: [TMIC] Getting Humble...
Barbara What is mj? Also what are 'canadian crutches'? I didn't know we had them and I live in Canada. What are DVT's? Do you or have you ever used Zanaflex (I think that is the one) for your legs in addition to the Baclofen. When I came home from hospital Oct 2006 I was on Baclofen and the Zanaflex. Both were for the spasms. I have since been very fortunate to be able to not have to take the Zanaflex and only take 10 mg of Baclofen at night although my prescription says I can take it 4 times a day which I used to do as well. Sorry for so many questions. Heather in Calgary I'm still planting flowers into the pots as it is so sunny and beautiful here this week. I have another couple of days to work at it though. - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Tmic-list@eskimo.com Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 4:33 PM Subject: Re: [TMIC] Getting Humble... Kevin, I am sending this to the list and not to your email address as I want the entire list to know how proud I am of you for sending in this email. It is so wise of you to listen to your body, and get the aids that will help you to live your life in as full a manner as possible. Like you, I have had to purchase my own Hugo, but am so glad that I did as I use it everyday. After having TM for eight years, I have learned many things, and still have trouble with some. There are so many things available to us to help us with our everyday lives. If we use them, we can go out of our homes and enjoy our lives as much as possible. This is true for some of us more than others, but we owe it to ourselves to make use of these aids. I'm one of the walking wounded, and still have many aids. I have 2 wheelchairs, one for inside and one for outside. I have 2 sets of canadian crutches, a scooter, 3 canes, a Hugo and a walking stick. I rotate between the manual wheelchair and scooter for shopping malls, traveling, warehouse stores, fairs, anything that requires more than 1/2 block of walking or standing for more than 10 minutes. I use the crutches or cane in the house, the Hugo if I need to carry anything or tired, and the sometimes the walking stick when my brother's around since he made it for me. I use the wheelchair in the house when I've really overdone it and need to give my body a rest or I'm sick and not functioning at all. I have one of the canes in each car at all times, since I've gone out without one a few times and gotten myself stuck being too tired to walk without one a few years ago. And, it's easier to put a cane in a shopping cart than crutches. But, I still haven't been able to agree to have a lift installed on the back of my vehicle for my scooter. I don't want to drive around town with it dangling back there saying here I come, disabled on board! I don't drive around town with my disabled placard dangling from the mirror either, although many do. You really aren't supposed to since it obstructs your view, but I've forgotten to display it a few times. I don't tell all when people ask how I am doing. Actually, I don't think most want to really hear about all the aches and pains that we have. If I'm having a really bad night, my husband knows that it may follow with a bad day. He doesn't know all that I go through, but does hear my crying in the middle of the night sometimes in pain when the spasms get really bad. He knows most of what is going on with me, but most don't. I have very bad pain in my left leg on some days due to 2 DVT's that have caused poor circulation. All I can do for that is take some pain medication. I manage my nerve pain during the day pretty well with Neurontin, but during the night it's a different story. I'd say that most nights I am awake at 3am with the heebie jeebies in my legs, where the skin is so irritable that I cannot allow the other leg to touch or any fabric either. So, sleep is impossible at that time. There are many nights that I do not get to sleep, but fall asleep around 6am out of exhaustion or due to a Vicodin. I take 20mg Baclofen for spasms. I take the Neurontin and Baclofen at about 11:30 pm in an attempt to keep the legs quiet during the night. This used to work, but hasn't recently. Sometimes I take another 1/2 tablet (I have 10mg tablets) after a few hrs if it doesn't seem to be working. Sometimes the spasms start around 8-9pm, so I'll take it then, and then I won't take again unless it gets bad. Does anyone have any ideas of a better way to take care of these problems, other than the mj? I'm really not wanting to use it if I can find another way. Hugs to all, Barbara A in Auburn, CA -- See what's free at AOL.com. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Re: [TMIC] OT OT: Parking Update
I know it is wearying, but keep after it. You'll be winning a victory not only for yourself but for others in your town who may be going through the same thing. Keep us posted! Hoping victory is sooner rather than later, Barbara H. _http://barbarah.wordpress.com/_ (http://barbarah.wordpress.com/) In a message dated 5/30/2007 7:19:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Update to my parking situation: I wrote a letter to my board, very calmly requesting they accomodate me by giving me an off-street parking space closer to the entrance to the building, (which is non-handicapped acessible, but still the closest way in and out of this building). The board member didn't want to take the letter and tried to hand it back to me. I wouldn't take it back. That was last Friday. He said the board was having a meeting and would discuss the issue. The meeting was supposed to take place last night, I haven't heard anything yet. I called my town planning and zoning commission today and told them my situation. Long story even longer, they told me that for the multi-unit building I live in there are supposed to be FOUR OFF-STREET HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES CLOSEST TO A HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE. Anyone care to guess how many such spaces exist here? ***ZERO OFF-STREET HANDICAPPED SPACES!* I told the woman from the zoning commission this and asked her how to go about getting these spaces put in. She referred me to some information on their website which didn't load properly onto my computer. I will be calling them again. I am waiting to hear what resulted from the board's meeting last night before I proceed. Kevin ** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
