Ok, so I had another subject planned for today’s post, but I need to rant a bit, so I’ll save that topic for later. I hope you won’t mind listening to my frustration today.
So, I’m part of a group on Facebook for people with certain mental issues, and I have noticed many of the people in the group getting social security disability solely for those mental issues, which I happen to share. I am not upset that they got disability for their problems, but I can’t help but compare it to my own situation and feel angry at how I have been treated by the system.
I’ve been fighting for several years to try and get disability benefits, my worst conditions that affect my ability to work are: Bipolar Depression, Asperger’s, PTSD, social anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS, degenerative disc disease and bulging discs, chronic bronchitis/ear infections, and severe plantar fasciitis. ALL THAT and yet I am still fighting! It pisses me off because I know people who got it much quicker for SO MUCH LESS or just ONE of my conditions. And none of these conditions are light, even the last rejection letter from social security said the conditions are indeed severe…and yet I got turned down AGAIN? I have a plethora of medical evidence and have tried to follow medical advice to the letter. What more can I do???
I DO have an attorney (my 2nd actually), and I am now waiting for a court date, the 2nd time I will have to go to a hearing for this. The last judge I got had a record for barely approving anyone, which seems unfair in itself. How can it be a fair system when some judges approve a majority of people and other judges approve hardly anyone? Were it not for my husband, I would likely be homeless by now.
To make matters worse, one person in the Facebook group insinuated that plantar fasciitis and chronic ear infections/bronchitis aren’t severe enough to affect your ability to work long term. Well, I’ve had the plantar fasciitis for 15 YEARS. I’ve seen specialists, done meds, physical therapy, long-term steroid therapy, custom orthotics, cortisone shots, nothing helped. Doesn’t seem like it will magically get better at this point. It is so severe I have a noticeable limp and have almost passed out from the pain at times when I was forced to be on my feet for long periods of time.
As for the recurring infections, I’ve had chronic ear infections and bronchitis for many years, often getting up to six within a six month period. I’m now on my 3rd course of antibiotics this year (2018) for the chronic ear infections and bronchitis. Again, I’ve seen specialists, tried a host of medications and other treatments (both medical and alternative) and nothing has worked so far. The amount of antibiotics I have had to take has led to issues with antibiotics not working as well anymore, worsening IBS symptoms, and even episodes of MRSA, C Diff, and colitis which I had to be hospitalized for. These are not minor, fleeting problems.
To make matters worse, I have TRIED to work while fighting for disability. The last job I had (working only two days a week) I was let go from for missing work too much due to medical issues, most of which I was in the hospital or ER for, so they know I wasn’t just “faking”. I also tried being a greeter at Walmart, since it is about one of the only places that actually hires really disabled people and I couldn’t even do that due to my social anxiety, depression, and other health issues. I am not even fighting for welfare here, only the benefits I worked for over the years!
I feel for you. I was fortunate to get onto disability pretty soon after my 3rd stay in the hospital. However, it was not the relief that I had hoped for. Sure, I got some money for helping with living expenses. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that, Now I’m at the Bottom, the Govt wanted me to stay there. I’m a high achiever and believer that I am meant to accomplish a lot in my life. Being relegated to not being able to make any extra money, or stigmatized that I was only worth the 900$ that they “graciously” gave me a month was horrible. When they reviewed my case, 4 years later, they rejected me, stating I had “gotten better?” No evidence of that whatsoever, unless they were paying attention to my facebook posts!
The Government has a vested interest in keeping the mentally ill, as a population, poor and uninspired, unmotivated to change anything about themselves or society at large. We are not charity. We are a balm on their wicked consciences that tells them they are being “Compassionate and Tolerant.”
They don’t want us off our meds or exploring alternative medicines or lifestyles that change our attitudes and improve our well-being. We are a “kept” population. Kept poor. Kept disaffected. Kept neutralized.
I hope you get what you are looking for, support that you desperately need.
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I agree with much of what you said! I wish the government actually cared more about helping us find work we could do too, either from home or with special helps in place. I honestly miss working a lot, but every time I try now I end up failing and feeling worse about myself due to the combination of mental and physical problems I contend with. Even doing stuff like this blog and writing my books is a way that I try to contribute something to society, even if I can’t keep a regular 9 to 5 job. Right now I am angry about the runaround I’ve gotten in getting help, but once I get it, I do wonder if it will be depressing in a sense as well.
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Work (paid or unpaid) is so important for us! I volunteer at a men’s shelter and that’s what gets me out of bed each day. I so get what you are saying about work!
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Agreed! Some days I just can’t do much of anything due to my issues, but on the days I can, I need to feel that I am achieving something, even if it is only wiping down the kitchen table or writing a blog post.
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no one. can tell you, how to feel. nor what level of pain to feel it at. we are all, unique. our thresholds, are different. and even those, change. DISREGARD them. they have no.clue. The other issue, is pretty appalling in the US I know. The lack of medical care for the people is 3rd world. It shouldn’t be so. we now live in Australia, and its at least, better here. not perfect. ps sometimes, you just need to vent a little! 🙂 cheers, Debi
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Thanks Debi! I think just getting my feelings out and venting about it helped a lot. I do wish America were better about taking care of its own citizens. Instead, we are spending most of our money trying to control other parts of the world 😦
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no worries… a bit of a vent, lets the Steam out. LOL and, I’m with you – the US big wigs spend money grandly, on themselves whilst thinking not of the underserved. Their Motto should be- The HIghest Good for ALL. if not, then they, should step down!
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That is so horribly unfair.
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Thank you Ashley 🙂
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that does not sound fair to me at all! how can some people have it so easy? while you struggle, not good at all!
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Yeah, it really seems unfair. I would never try to take benefits away from those who need them, but there are those who fall through the cracks that really need help too!
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Do you have a disability lawyer ? One that only does this kind of cases? If not you need to get one of then.
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Yes, I do. I am on my second disability lawyer now and both have specialized in disability cases, however the one I have now does seem to be more involved and has been more helpful in many ways.
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Oh good I hope this one gets you it . Good luck it hard but keep fighting just need to get the right judge.
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It’s not easy to stay positive but you are doing everything you can and learning lots as a result…keep sharing what insights you are gaining and help others along the way. Best of luck with your application.
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Thank you so much!
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I’ve been turned down after a long wait. For ESA. so I understand your frustrations.
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They told me in one letter I would recieve it in one letter. Told be told in another I won’t. I am not eligible.
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Man that is messed up 😦
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Yes and really annoying.
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I was denied, too. Not enough work credits. How can I work if I’m disabled? So all the years I did work were for nothing? I’m sorry you’re going through this. ❤️
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If I get denied this time, I won’t have enough work credits to try again either. It is so frustrating! I barely had enough to apply as it is!
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This is how our government screws around with our money. Doesn’t matter how much you paid in over the years, matters if you’re putting into the system right now. Phooey
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From what I know of the system in the Uk it is geared for the malingerers and liars, if you are honest and straightforward you have no chance!
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Isn’t that a sad thing? I know one guy who is on disability for back pain and yet he is on a bowling league! I haven’t been able to bowl in years due to all my problems, I can’t imagine being on a league with chronic back pain!
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wow how on earth? But yes I know several men who are signed off for unspecified back pain….for decades. Took me years and then they took it off me last year and I had to appeal. I only have it to July…maybe I will get better lol.
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Samantha, sometimes I think they are harder on women than men. Almost like they write us off more as complainers and trust men’s word more about their pain. Maybe I’m wrong, but it can feel that ways sometimes. I know studies show doctors and medical professionals tend to take men more seriously than women when they are in pain.
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