Disability

[JJ]

Hello everyone, I signed in today..found Sjogrens World about a year ago..and i don't know why I took so long getting into the forums. Thank you for bringing this issue up...have felt guilty for even thinking of trying for disability. I have worked most of my life and at the young age of 43 sometimes I feel like im in my 100th year. My friend went on disability and she said they always turn you down the first time...she said to just keep at it. The doctor that diagnosed me "family prac" LOL of all the docs in the world..made the suggestion at one point that i should look into it. That was over three years ago...i was made to feel by friends and coworkers that i was not in that bad of shape...however, i do feel unreliable...never know day to day...who wants to hire you or keep you when there are days that you just cant do it...then there are days that i thank God for because those days i feel like i could change the world...good luck to us all...and God Bless! Keep trying, I know i am going to start.

[peacefulstorm]

JJ, we come for information in our own time. I was so scared to know all of the "serious" issues of SjS.  I didnt want to know, but now I am glad I came and took a look because now I know what to look for and watch out for.Im so happy you have found the boars, there is lots of reading, I have found out so many things, just by reading and if you have a question I know someone here will respond to you even if they cant help you, they will have suggestions!
Cortnee'

[JJ]

Thank you all for being here and i will have questions, comments, and probably a few tears...
seems bad to say but feel better not being alone in this, when i first read SW i cried because
i had felt like i was crazy for some time. Thanks again!

JJ

[Linda196]

Hello JJ, welcome to Sjogren's World.

We each need our own stimuli to open up in these forums, sometimes it takes someone else's post that speaks directly to us, or to our concerns, to help us go from Lurker to Poster.

The disability thing is something of a two edged sword...I finally gave in to the suggestions of my GP and Rheumy, after a few years actually, and applied, thinking they wouldn't even consider me and I could go back to the docs and say "told you so"! Imagine my surprise when I was approved for full disability first try...then I started thinking "OMG, I must  be really sick!"

I eventually reached an equilibrium, admitting that I do have physical limitations, but not allowing them to control me. I think my GP made the most sense to me when he said I had had a disability for years, I just hadn't let it disable me!

Feel free to explore more of the earlier posts, and enjoy being in a place where you are understood, accepted, and if you do want to act a little crazy, we know it's an act, and has nothing to do with your physical condition. It may even help when it comes to dealing with this disease! I'd also like to invite you to post a bit more of a personal introduction in the Newbies section, so we can get to know you better and welcome you appropriately.

[Pooh]

Hi JJ,
Welcome to our family.  So glad you finally registered and joined us.  I hope you find lots of information and helpful ideas on how to deal with this insidious disease. 

I've always said, and others too will tell you, DON'T LOSE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR!  This disease can take the craziest turns and come and go at will.  Some days are great, and others from the time you open your eyes you want to snuggle down and pull the covers back up and ignore the day. 

If you feel chatty in the evening or afternoon (Eurochat at 2 P.M. est) you will find us in the chatroom.  The schedule and times are at the link below.  Please join us, we can be serious, or mostly we just have fun. 

Pooh

[eyeamdry]

JJ.........if your doc suggested it, you're already ahead of the game.  He will be your advocate in filling out forms.  I got disability because of eye issues and my ophthalmologist who had done surgery on my eyes (creating the problem) told me that I'd not qualify for SSD.  Well, my GP made a remark one day that 'disability should be easy because of your eyes."  When the time came, I filed for disability with my GP being my primary doctor in the paperwork.  If your doc is so receptive, you should try if you feel it's time. 

As for friends, well never mind them.  Unless they want to support you, they have nothing to say about it.  If I had listened to everyone, I'd not have bothered to file.  Whatsmore, I got approved first time without an attorney.  I'm not bragging about this, but some people refuse to believe it's ever approved first time.  Good luck, Lucy