Hi Dalton,
The first thing is to file as soon as possible. I believe they make you wait five months from the time you file before actually making any payment to you. Here's two websites for Social Security\Disability - http://www.ssa.gov/disability/index.htm - and - http://www.ultimatedisabilityguide.com/ On the first site, the form to fill out requests the last 15 years of employment BEFORE you became disabled. Also, check these websites: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Disinissues/ and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/offtopicplace/ They have a lot of answers for SSDI and LTD. Another site: http://www.disabilityhelpsite.com/ Here's one that outlines acceptable disabilities http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm Usually TM falls under the Neurological disability. Just remember. most initial requests for SS are denied. You must stay on top of them and keep applying. And make sure your physician writes a very detailed description of your condition and limitations. When I filled out my portion of the form, I included every single affected task - no matter how seemingly insignificant. bathing/showering (including temperature sensation loss in lower body), toileting (including chronic constipation due to medications and loss of bladder & bowel muscle control), holding a hair dryer to dry my hair, walking up and down the stairs in my home, making meals, dusting/vacuuming, changing bed sheets, anything requiring manual dexterity/finger function - my fingers are now somewhat clawed, weak and not able to write or keyboard/mouse normally; I have difficulty pulling zippers; blowing my nose is next to impossible; laundry is difficult (pulling wet clothes out of washer), standing at sink to do dishes (difficulty holding & wiping them). I have balance issues due to major weakness in left leg, I can no longer run, jump or even walk swiftly & fatigue easily after any exertion and must usually lay down to recover. Take a couple days to make sure your list covers everything. Good luck with it. Betty (in Northern California) _____ From: Dalton Garis [mailto:malugss...@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 5:32 PM To: Elizabeth Clark Cc: pat cooley; Robert Pall; <pjv1...@chartermi.net>; <tmic-list@eskimo.com> Subject: Re: [TMIC] Facebook Same for me; Just had another attack today like Epilepsy because my lesion is on the brainstem so extreme joy or stress will give me a fit. Can someone explain how to get on disability? Dalton Garis New York, New York On Oct 5, 2011, at 2:29 PM, Elizabeth Clark <xbeecla...@gmail.com> wrote: I am totally with you Patti. After completing my rehab (one month), I returned to work part-time. I lasted two and a half months. At the end of each day, I hurt so bad I couldn't do anything - even cook dinner. And it took the entire weekend to recuperate from the exhaustion in order to start the next week. That meant turning down almost every offer to do anything fun. I finally gave in and went out on permanent disability. I so miss the social interaction afforded by working, but I don't miss the forced exertion. To keep from becoming almost a hermit confined to the house - which is so easy to do when you don't work - I make a point of 'scheduling' things to go out and do during the week - even if it's just to grab a bite to eat for lunch or check out a new sale. After 34 years of working (31 for the same company), it was very hard to let go of the people contacts. it's so easy at work to be 'involved' in co-workers lives just thru office conversation. It's not 'convenient' for them after you're gone. I try to stay in occasional e-mail contact with several of them, but it's just not the same. TM definitely adversely affects your personal life as well as your physical one. I think that's why we feel so connected to each other on this site - we all sympathize and appreciate each other's losses as we've all walked in each other's shoes where TM is concerned. Loss of health, loss of jobs, loss of friends, loss of dignity. It tears away at one's resolve, but this site affords us a non-aggressive format for social contact (albeit thru cyber space), appreciation and validation of aches, pains and fears, and a way to gain knowledge about our condition thru the experiences of others. I thank everyone on this site for helping me get thru the worst of my times and teaching me how to accept and move on with what I do have. You're all an inspiration! Betty (in Northern California) _____ From: pat cooley [mailto:patticoole...@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 7:55 AM To: Robert Pall Cc: pjv1...@chartermi.net; <mailto:tmic-list@eskimo.com> tmic-list@eskimo.com Subject: Re: [TMIC] Facebook Robert you are much braver than I could ever be. Just the thought of heights makes me sick to my stomach. I did work part-time before TM and after about 7 months I was able to go make to my part-time job. It was exhausting at times but I enjoyed the people contact. Last year we moved about 120 miles away to be near my daughter and her family for my health. I didn't seek work after we moved. I don't miss working but do miss the people contact. Patti - Wisconsin On Wed, Oct 5, 2011 at 9:39 AM, Robert Pall < <mailto:robthe...@aol.com> robthe...@aol.com> wrote: Good for you....people do not realize how much we go thru to accomplish even the simplest of things! All the best! Rob in New Jersey -----Original Message----- From: pjv1234 < <mailto:pjv1...@chartermi.net> pjv1...@chartermi.net> To: Robert Pall < <mailto:robthe...@aol.com> robthe...@aol.com> Cc: tmic-list < <mailto:tmic-list@eskimo.com> tmic-list@eskimo.com> Sent: Tue, Oct 4, 2011 10:37 pm Subject: RE: [TMIC] Facebook Congratulations on your retirement. I know I've said it before, but I can't imagine working while having TM. I think skydiving is the ultimate gutsy thing to try. I'm not that gutsy, however, I went white water rafteing this spring and found it to be exilerating. Patti On Tue, Oct 4, 2011 at 11:11 AM, Robert Pall wrote: I have not been around here for awhile. I stopped working in Februuary and neveer changed my email address until yesterday. I have been on Facebook which has a TM group and there are a lot of people on it from this group. I was confused but now I am not and I am glad to be back where I started. By the way to celebrate my 764th birthday and my 14th annivarsary with TMJ I went skydiving at the Jersey Shore....it was incredible and the most exciting thing I ever did! I continue to not allow TM to disrupt my life! Rob in New Jersey
