Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Disability Interview Today

Well, it's good to know that they're making the heart with priority to the latter...I certainly hope it's the latter... I've had a "flu-like" virus for a couple of months now, I finally had to get off the Enbrel and MTX so I can get rid it, this has been the norm for me the past couple of years, it seems like every 6 months I get a virus and I hate getting off of the biologics because I flare real bad and then it takes a few months to build my dosage back up where it needs to be...it's a hamster wheel lately but hey, not much we can do about it, we have AS...that's another thing I'm working on lately...accepting the fact that I have a chronic disease... I'm just coming out of the denial phase...honestly, I think I'll be better off embracing it as a part of who I am...

Michelle,
I think about alot of us w/ AS, like you, Megan, Lisa(angelmom),Mig and many more here who could not be more Beautiful souls. And my mom(80 yrs.) included... God bless her, after 4 children, she finally was correctly diagnosed w/ AS only 2 years ago, long after the rheumy figured the Dx for me, Mom now is beginning to it seems have trouble with her memory. My Dad says its Alzheimers but I don't think it has been diagnosed or treated yet. She is retired from nursing after being an E.R. supervisor since the early 1960's when I was her third baby. She refuses to even try so much as a pain med, much less a biologic!
I really hugely admire ya'll who do it all, AND bring us into this world! You're the best!... But don't tell the guys I said it! I'm praying for you and think about you on the gulf down there a lot, I hope all this gets worked out for you so you SOON get the monetary reief you need. BTW all the cash you've paid into ssdi, remember that you are entitled to something back as ssdi is technically an insurance product- here's hoping your claim goes thru and gets to paying you real soon!
Hugs,
Russell in Charleston

Hi Russell...thanks, I really appreciate the encouragement!! Your Mom sounds like a very special Lady and a Pioneer as well!!! And...you're right, I have paid into this fund...this insurance fund!! Thanks for the reminder... I hope all is well with you, my friend!

I got a denial letter today from SSA...they said I have too many assets and they listed the specific assets that put me over the 'limit'...I didn't think that Social Security Disability was based on that..

Hey my Darlin...let me tell you something Miss Sass we arent gonna take this laying down...now I have been sicker than a dog with pneumonia once again for the 50th time, Im on antibiotics, shots, steroids, breathing treatments and all that was after a phone call all the way from South Africa (where my Doc use to live) to try and get me to go to the hospital which I flatly denied for the 45th time but I am lucid enough for this to [*bleep*] me off....I have been pissed off alot lately, I guess Im a little like Bridge you take what you can and enough is enough.

Ok now it has only been 3 years ago but I went with the company Alsup which I would HIGHLY recommend anyone on here who is trying for SSD. I dont believe I would have been approved without them. You just look at Chris (firefighters) case and he has gone thru WAYYYYYY more than I have surgery wise and I was still awarded...now I will admit I was not awarded on AS alone I actually had like 4 diagnosis....now I may have just lost my ever loving mind (not sure I have ever had one) but I at NO time ever remember having to give them W'2's assets, life insurance ANY kind of personal information like that, I did however do like you and listed the years of medical bills, Drs, scripts, hospital stays ect which would run anywhere from $27,000 to $46,000...it should not matter WHAT you have IF you are disabled and not a millionaire which I dont beleive any of us here are...so.....I started searching and I am sorry darling if it does not apply or I have stuppidly posted this...Im sorry Tori is laughing at me telling me Mom..if our Mesheele saw you like this typing in your drug induced stupor she would probly pee her pants so forgive me if this does not make sense.

I just looked up on www.makrislaw.com

where I read SSD is a federal disability insurance program you pay into every time you draw a paycheck. You can apply to get you SS early on the basis of a disability or disabilities that prevent you from working.

The program is insuranced based NOT welfare based like the SSI program. It does NOT matter what your other income or assets happen to be. There is no minimum age you have to be. If you qualify for SSD you get a monthly disability check from the US government and medicare coverage.

Now that may not have anything to do with anything and our situations may be different because you are a classy woman with some money and I have always just been a bum..lol BUT check into it because this does not sound legal to me, could this just be the 1st standard denial letter we ALL get. Even with Alsup I believe I was denied like 2 or 3 times, I did have to see one of their psych Drs. that was a hoot..what does this little ink blot look like Lisa?.....ummmm looks like Alan and Kevin naked dancing on the tabletops!!!! no actually he was really nice and let me know I did fine...I was like is that good Im a weirdo fine or good your halfway normal and you aint gonna get it fine???

Ok I know I am gonna regret posting this tomorrow after the drugs have worn off so I am going to send it..love ya girl and you know I will do what ever we have to to git er done fer yer! (thats Bridge talk)

Big Hugs

Lisa

BLAH HA HA shame on me..it bleeps [*bleep*] but not pissed...my bad

Hi Michelle

It being almost 2011, have you checked to see if the new laws coming into play will help regarding insurance denials for pre-existing conditions?

I see that Lousiana is one of the 20 states participating in the plan managed by the U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services, and quickly noticed that people who are currently covered are not elligible and would expect you'll find plenty of snafu'd roadblocks and barriers along the way, but...

any new possibilities?

Pre-existing condition insurance plan

Not to hijack Michelle's thread, but DOW thank you for that link!! My cobra runs out in 2011 and the Texas High Risk pool costs are literally 4x this PCIP plan + insane deductible. We didn't know what we were going to do... now I have an option.

Thank you Dow!!

Did you apply for SSI or SSDI? SSI is needs based and you need to have limited assets. That's what I'm appplying for. SSDI is the program you pay into as you work. There shouldn't be any asset limitations.
I haven't worked in the past 20 years and need 10 more quarters to qualify for retirement benefits.

Yessiree! Uncle Sam wants you to spend all of your retirement, and all of your other savings, before he gives you one single penny. Keep at it though. I recommend hiring a SSI attorney. They rock!