I can see it is going to be a problem ...

[costhecat]

My very 'preliminary' research shows that attempting to obtain
disability is going to be a problem ...

The short story: Have been 'handicapped' all of my life. Short legs,
one shorter than the other, bone deformities, etc. ... seven years ago
I had an amputation due to a cancerous tumor ... now I am short, and
one-legged, and obviously ... 'different'. Four years ago, had a brain
tumor removed leaving me totally deaf on one side, and I am losing the
hearing on the other side. Now I am short, one legged, and more than
half deaf ... and again, quite obviously, aesthetically 'different'.
Mobility is becoming a problem, communicating with bad hearing is
becoming more and more of a problem.

I have tried to live a 'normal' life and work ... and I work HARD ...
and I can see that because I have TRIED to be normal, that is what is
going to kill my possibilites for obtaining disability. Am I supposed
to NOT work and live on the street before I am more obviously in need
of disability?

I may as well just eat a bullet.

Thank you U.S. Government

[JoB]

My very 'preliminary' research shows that attempting to obtain disability
is going to be a problem ...
The short story: Have been 'handicapped' all of my life. Short legs, one
shorter than the other, bone deformities, etc. ... seven years ago I had
an amputation due to a cancerous tumor ... now I am short, and one-legged,
and obviously ... 'different'. Four years ago, had a brain tumor removed
leaving me totally deaf on one side, and I am losing the hearing on the
other side. Now I am short, one legged, and more than half deaf ... and
again, quite obviously, aesthetically 'different'. Mobility is becoming a
problem, communicating with bad hearing is becoming more and more of a
problem.
I have tried to live a 'normal' life and work ... and I work HARD ... and
I can see that because I have TRIED to be normal, that is what is going to
kill my possibilites for obtaining disability. Am I supposed to NOT work
and live on the street before I am more obviously in need of disability?
I may as well just eat a bullet.
Thank you U.S. Government

Depending on your financial situation, there may be other alternatives. If
you're living my yourself, you may qualify for state disability assistance
(DA) while waiting for an SSDI decision. You may also be eligible for public
housing, food stamps, Medicaid or Medical, etc. You may also qualify for
SSI while waiting on your SSDI decision if you're in dire financial
straights. These would be things to talk to your local welfare office
(called Job and Family Services in my state).

I understand the drive to work. I always think, for myself, hey! if they
would just give come into the 21st century and start letting more people
work from home... learn how to supervise home workers rather than "in
office" workers... which they *could* do... think of all of the building
costs they'd save and all of the gasoline costs employees would save... not
to mention how many of us disabled people it would employee. There are so
many advantages.

But... I'm sure you've already tried or thought of this... but most states
have BVRs to help disabled people with employment, education, etc. I had a
friend who lived off DA, foodstamps, income sub housing while he went to
college ~and~ got grants and loans to cover college and living costs ~and~
had his application for SSDI in process. Sure, he had to make the college
provide many accommodations for him to go and sure he didn't and still
doesn't know if the education he obtained will pan out in the long run, but
at least he now has a better shot education-wise at getting a job and coming
off SSDI at some future date. He writes. He wants to teach if he can go
further in his education. He has plans.

I'm a bit like you and have given up or feel things are hopeless at times.
But they really aren't. I know they aren't. So I hope you'll put your
bullets back in the box. If you do, I will. Screw the government. I hate to
think those idiots got the best of me.

[DonB]

With those disabilities, you should have no shame in asking for some
help. It won't be the problem you think. The U.S. SSDI and ADA
definitions for disability are different. The Supreme Court of the U.S.
has amended the ADA to the point that if you can do any work, even just
brushing your teeth, you are not disabled, and if you are disabled, you
aren't qualified to do any work. But the U.S. SSDI standard under which
I got it is something like "unable to obtain gainful employment". In
other words, making enough money to live. So if you can't find enough
work because of discrimination against your disabilities, or can't do
enough to because of your disabilities, you can reasonably apply. I
wouldn't depend upon the first reason alone. I think it should be the
second or a combination.

The last I knew, you have to be in that condition for a year after you
apply before you can get SSDI, and then another year or two before you
can get Medicare. Don't take my word for it - get the "Red Book" from
your local SSA office and read all the rules. You can hire a lawyer to
help you through it, but I did it on my own. Since your physical
difficulties are much more severe than mine, I don't think you will have
a problem.

It sucks that we aren't allowed to make a productive living doing what
we can. It costs billions in lost productivity, public disability
support, and increased healthcare because of the hopelessness and stress
alone. It might go a long way to solving the Social Security problem if
the ADA were put right and we could be put back to work, even if just
part time.

To that end, Disabled Americans should look up House Bill 3195 and
Senate Bill 1881, the testimony about them, and "Veterans for ADA
Restoration" on the web. Write to your Congressmen and Senators in
support. Then look up the objections to ADA restoration by business
organizations like the National Federation of Independent Businessmen
and the Chamber of Commerce. The NFIB is looking for stories about the
expenses of small businesses "forced" to deal with the disabled. You
could write and tell them what it costs you and your society not to work.

Best regards, DonB

Post by costhecat
My very 'preliminary' research shows that attempting to obtain
disability is going to be a problem ...
The short story: Have been 'handicapped' all of my life. Short legs, one
shorter than the other, bone deformities, etc. ... seven years ago I had
an amputation due to a cancerous tumor ... now I am short, and
one-legged, and obviously ... 'different'. Four years ago, had a brain
tumor removed leaving me totally deaf on one side, and I am losing the
hearing on the other side. Now I am short, one legged, and more than
half deaf ... and again, quite obviously, aesthetically 'different'.
Mobility is becoming a problem, communicating with bad hearing is
becoming more and more of a problem.
I have tried to live a 'normal' life and work ... and I work HARD ...
and I can see that because I have TRIED to be normal, that is what is
going to kill my possibilites for obtaining disability. Am I supposed to
NOT work and live on the street before I am more obviously in need of
disability?
I may as well just eat a bullet.
Thank you U.S. Government