Holiday Break gave me an insight to disability

[LisaMarie]

Ok, I really would not want to go on disability at this point because of finances and I've not officially been diagnosed anyway.  But our University was closed from Dec. 23rd until today.  Each workday paid holiday.

It felt so amazingly good!  I could do some housework and then get lazy.  I could go shopping, then get lazy.  I could lead a normal life for the most part.  I was pretty active.  But it was my normal self active minus the work.  There was two days that I was hit with extreme fatigue and I figured it was my body's way of telling me I was over doing it. 

But it felt so good to live what some people would consider normal lifestyle.  Groceries.  Cooking dinner for my family.  Cleaning my house at a slow and easy pace. 

Am I a bad person for thinking that when a time comes that I can get disability, I should consider it?  To be honest, financially I would be better because I have a disability insurance at work that would pay me as well as SSI and I would not have the expenses of working.  Plus, I could then withdraw from my retirement account without penalty based on the disability and pay off my debts.  So my monthly income would be able to handle the household budget plus insurance costs (especially if I can wait another 5 years as at 25 years I keep my benefits at the university at the employees rate and I'm at 20).

So, I'm hoping that this thing I have...possibly sjogren's can be kept at bay for 5 years.  Let it be tolerable.  But I will never again panic over the thought that down the road, I may have to take disability to live a normal home life.

[Joe S.]

Good for you!

[Suzie]

You're not a bad person for being aware of your marvellous position - you're counting your blessings, and this blessing adds up to a whole lot of financial security and peace of both mind and body.

Please g-d by us all!

Be well,

Suzie

[Narablueeyes]

No you're not bad or wrong for thinking that!  I had a 13 day end-of-year vacation and was so glad!  I left the house once and got a few projects done but, like I was telling KellyG, I slept most of the time.  Literally!!  Several days was 12-14 hours of sleep!  I still woke up feeling tired but it felt so good to be home and not have to worry about work. 

I'm considering disability myself but like you, it's finances standing in my way.  I'm just biding my time and trying to make it through one day at a time. 

You will know when it's time.  Your body will tell you.  Easier said than done, but patience is a virtue.   

[Luna]

Not a bad person at all. I would go for it if I were you. I am already home. No disability though. I quit working years before I had a diagnosis. It is nice not to have to worry about a job or boss. I wish I had money coming in though. That part is not so great. But I am thankful I can be home and rest when I need it. I wish you well.

Luna

[Carolina]

Heavens Lisa Marie!

I'm retired now almost 12 years. It is heaven. I retired early when I developed severe Coronary Artery Disease, at age 58.  Luckily we had scrimped and saved enormously when I was working, so it possible to live modestly in early retirement.

Of course our savings have taken HUGE hits twice, with the big stock market downturns.  But we just cut back and hang on.

I could barely manage a full time job and a 'real life' before I retired, and the litany of things I've suffered since developing Sicca, and everything else, all happened AFTER I retired.

So  I have time to rest and see doctors and take care of myself.  Tho' I've had some hard times when we were traveling.

I know just what you're feeing, that without work, you can have a more or less healthy normal life.

Hang in there and perhaps that will materialize for you.

Keep us posted.

Hugs

Elaine

DISABILITY is designed to provide support when work is not an option, when work is destroying your life.

We pay taxes so people can be taken care of, LisaMarie.  That's my opinion.

[Luna]

I totally agree with Elaine.  Dear Lisa Marie, I hope you get to an early retirement and get that disability soon.

Luna

[susanep]

I also agree with Elaine. You take care of you.

susanep 

[irish]

I did not realize how really sick I was until I quite work. I thought I would rest up and then go back to work after I got a doctor who figured out what I had. Three weeks after I quit work I was really sick---sort of just went downhill.

It took my psychiatrist to tell me that I needed to apply for disability. He told me I was really ill and it wasn't all in my head. So, I applied for disability at the appropriate time and got it the first time around.

Yes, it is good to be able to stay home and I really would not be able to work at much of anything anyway. I just manage to skim the surface and keep the need to be things done---most of the time. I hate having to live like this but there are no options when I a person is laid up all the time. Do I feel guilty, no way, cause I worked way too long and I always say that I got more work done sick than a lot of people do when they are well. Is that something to be proud of??? I seriously doubt it!!!!!Irish