Is 2013 the year Social Security Disability recipients finally fail ?

I have written before about the pitfalls that Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) recipients face daily, but, 2013 looks like the year we may slip away into the darkness that simply not having enough income to survive. In fall of 1994, I was forced by U-Haul/Oxford Life to apply for SSDI. My last day at work was 10/31/1993. I drew a check for 1 year from a disability policy I had chose to enroll in, with continued encouragement from my Marketing Co President/Boss, Rusty Sparks. I was 30 or so and could not imagine a situation where I could use that, My goodness, I was at my peak, bulletproof, Assistant to the President and in line for my own Marketing Company. Well, I had numbness develop in my right fingertips, weird. My Dad had a history of Bone Spurs in his neck and I assumed (Never do that) I had something like that. It kept spreading up my arm and eventually to the left side of my face. I went to a great local country Doctor in Loudon Tennessee, Dr. Sam Harrison. He was familiar with my entire family and was affectionaly know as Dr. Sam. He examined me and had a very troubled look on his face. During my exam, I had a hour of Vertigo set in and he put me in a private room in his office and called a Dr. he thought could help. Me, The man was a Neurosurgeon, unknown to me. I went to the man and his first fear was a Brain Tumor, that was bad and I did not tell Deanna yet. He referred me to Dr. Thomas Higgins, a very well respected Neurologist in Knoxville. As I getting worse, he put ne in Fort Sanders Hospital in downtown Knoxville. They put me thru the drill. Finally after being discharged a couple days earlier, I was called to come see Dr. Higgins. He started with the good news, "You do not have a Brain Tumor" Yeah, it's all good from here. Then he told me I had MS. I was sent home and had to tell Deanna. After seeing commercials about MS, she thought I had a Death Sentence and collapsed in the floor. I remember sitting in the floor, holding her while she bawled, thinking I was dying. Eventually I convinced her that MS would not kill me (usually See Annette Funicelo). After improved symptom's, I went back to work. With limited use of m left arm, I had real problems trying to do my job in he Inventory management area, know as traffic. My Assistance to the President job went away and I was made manager of the Traffic Department. Even for a fully able person, it is the Job from HELL. I eventually asked to be sent back to a moving center un Chattanooga. A salary position at U-Haul requires a 60 hour work week, As I worsened, I could not pull the 60 hrs. My Boss would not help me with less hours, as the ADA law was 2-3 years out. I was forced into the U-Haul Short Term disability system and as I said earlier, walked out the door for the last time 10/31/1993. I rested at home and then I received a letter from U-Haul stating I MUST file for SSDI. Well, this was new to me. I made an apt and took all the requested forms to the Cleveland, TN office. May I sat, those folks are so nice, not like trying to talk to a National number. He went over my medical records, my last 5 year income at U-Haul and politely told me he would get back with me. one month later, I walked to the Mailbox and there is a check for over $1200 from the US Treasury. I was confused and I went in the house and called the Cleveland TN office. They informed me that was my first SSDI check. You could have pushed me over with a feather I was in shock. The only negative they overlapped the U-Haul checks and I had to go 2 months with no U-Haul because of something out of my hands. I get a letter every 7 years for me to ask a few questions, no problem. There was a form that my Dr.Anthony Aviatabile had to fill out, much to his complaint. The last request cam 2 months ago but they advised me after 10 years, a Doctor form is no longer needed. Thank God, He raised Hell every time I handed him one of these forms. Now, Let's review the situation. Years ago, my pay, as meager as it is, enabled Deanna and I to have dinner sometimes, or buy some gas to go visit someone say 100 miles away. But now, The cost of living has run away. We cannot have a moment of relaxation for our entertainment. We have free food some churches deliver. It takes some of the edge of. Yesterday, I paid $444.15 for one months script expense/co-pays with our Humana Gold HMO. I paid the Drug Bill yesterday, pay day. I paid a $ 400 house payment, and the [payments I have set up for 8 different hospital visits this year will have to wait here comes the collection calls. That is all I have left in m right now, This flares my MS.. More to come. Someone find the money tree for me, SSDI is not going to make it anymore. Mitch

Being Disabled is now a DRAIN on The Country !

As many of you know, I have been an avid supporter of Rush Limbaugh. Up until yesterday, I thought he and I were pretty much on the same page. Well, Shit, it don't look good. Rush went into a monolouge about Social Security Disability Insurance recipents. I have never heard him go into this subject, at least of note. He proceeded to anounce that 14 Million SSDI recpts were somehow not worthy. He hinted around that many were not "disabled". Today, after writing him an "on fire" email yesterday, I was cruising the Drudge report. I found exactly, almost word for word where he got the info and how he repeated it. It is located at http://apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/ I must admit, the case laid out in the NPR article is probably on the money. Many people, approaching 60, who have been working hurt or disabled. After losing their jobs and being unable to find work, they choose at the advice of MANY SSDI Lawyers that is their best option. I am not going to make an opinion on the above, that is something each person must look at themselves. I will make this statement: I have Multiple Sclerosis. I tried to work. I could not work. U-Haul made me go on their Short Term Disability. One year later U-Haul MADE me file for SSDI. I was accepted in one month. NOBODY is accepted in one Month, it is unheard of. I wonder,what influence did U-Haul Company have with SS and getting me accepted so their out of pocket would drop over $ 1,000 per month. Rush, before you read the NPR article, almost verbatim, to YOUR listeners, which many being that they listen to you in the middle of the day may be retired and or disabled. You should have thought before you really pissed me off.. Mitch

It is time to get on the Ball !

It is a stormy, very warm day here in Polk County. So abnormal, it is obvious we are getting ready to get hammered, either with Storms or maybe Snow ? We have not had any his year to speak of so I guess we are due. On March 12, 1993 we had a 23 inch snowfall in a blizzard. That was an experience of a lifetime. So, it's a good afternoon to write. I need to explain all the gaps and brief entries. Last year, the month of October saw Deanna in the hospital 3 times and me, once. She had a Bowel Obstruction (again) first, then Lapro surgery for adhesions 10/26 and then the emergency srgery for a perforated bowel with sepsis 10/29. I about lost her the last one. To all who read this, If a loved one starts talking out of their head, do something. On 10/28 I called an ambulance to our home, knowing something was bad wrong. She refused transport, and they had to respect her wishes. On 10/29, I called them again and told them the Doctor said to rush her to Erlanger, they beleived me and transported her. No matter how they fuss, get them transported. She had the surgery at midnight and was in ICU for 5 days and step down for 2 days. I cannot stress how serious this can be, trust old Mitch ! Finances still suck as usual. We received a 1.2% raise at the first of the year. Deanna lost 1 Dollar. What a load of crap. This morning I read we are giving Pakistan 37 Million Dollars, yes $ 37,000,000.00 But our SSDI and Social Security retired are sufering. I recently read where one of the Obama administration geniuses said that SSDI recipents might have to go from Steak to Ground Beef. Hell, I haven't seen a steak in 4 years. How's that hope and change working for you ? I have a serious bit of information to pass on. A dear friend of ours, who went to Hell and back, has started a blog telling of her experiences. It is called "Medical Malpractice, A Survivor's Story". This is a marvelous read, and if it was fiction, would be something you could not put down, BUT, It is ALL TRUE! She had Epidural injections with 2 prevous childbirths, same hospital, no problems. THIS TIME, the Epidural went "UP". She quit breathing, was bagged for 1.5 hours. She knew EVERYTHING and died over and over and over..... The desception that can take place, when under the care of someone you trust with your life, is shameful. Those of you that read he story and hopefully follow it, spread it far and wide, this a story everyone, especially us BOOMERS, Need to know. Life has been such a challenge, of course, NO ONE promised our lives would be easy. I am not asking for much I don't think. When Afghanistan recieves $ 356 Million +, and I already spoke of the Pakistan. Country after Country receives Billions in US aid, BUT, The American Public is suffering. I do not expect the Govt to pay me $ 50,000 a year, far from it,. I just want to be able to pay my bills, cover the expensive Medicines and Doctor bills. Medicare D is getting gutted, co-pays are skrocketing. What was a good plan to when it began is I fear, being influenced by lobby representing the Pharma Companies, and want a higher margin. If WE buy groceries, you can't pay for your Medications, If you pay for your Medications, you can't buy groceries.. I never thought In my lifetime, I would face this delima. My Mother, God rest her soul, forsaw what was ahead and warned me, but, I never thought it would happen, Not in: The United State of America,,Instead, The Peoples Republic of Obamastan ? Kind catchy for you LOW INFORMATION VOTERS...HA More later and I PROMISE, a more devoted writing..Keep the faith and Beat MS, Mitch

Well, It has been a while

I guess as we get older, our Health becomes an aspect of our lives we take for granted. October 2012, Deanna was in the Hospital 3 times, once with an Emergency Surgery due to a perforated bowel. I was in for three days with pnuemonia. Now as I finally write, it is Jan 26 and Deanna is facing surgery 2/1/13 to remove a re-occuring infection site that started 1 1/2 years ago as a Surgical Site Infection. Deanna's brother Jack is fighting Squamous Cell Carcinoma, has completed 18 radiation and 2 21 day chemo treatments. Quite Frankly, I am exhausted. Life goes on/ For those you you that might stumble upon my ramblings, whatever your age, do not take things for granted.. The Fight Continues.. Later, Mitch

October was the Month from Hell

I will write more, Our Health has veen terrible..

I Think we are screwed

am still in shock. I am no fan of Bill O'Reilly, but he nailed it last night. He said we are no longer a nation that can roll up its sleeves and get the job done, we are a nation of "gimme something" mindless twits who don't understand that this great nation is eroding under their eyes. I pray that God will protect this country....