POZ Community Forums

Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: wolfter on December 10, 2010, 05:18:34 pm

Title: SSD
Post by: wolfter on December 10, 2010, 05:18:34 pm
I wasn't sure where to post this, but I had to share some great news that I had today.  This week has been full of turmoil but it has ended on a great note.  I lost my partner of 15 years almost 6 years ago.  I let my health go to hell and was ready to give up.  I applied for SSD Sept 05 as I was total unable to work for numerous reasons.  Partly emotional, partly physical and mostly just not caring.  Like a dumb ass I made some horrible decisions because I didn't care anymore.  I was denied SSD and having been fighting the appeals and going through the process.  Through this period I started focusing on living again and getting as well as possible.  Lately, I've actually felt like it's time to go back to work (which I love) even though my ID doctor doesn't think it's a great idea yet.  I finally had a hearing today with the alj in Columbus.  I rec'd an on the record favorable decision in about 15 minutes.  I wasn't even totally sure what happened until after the hearing and my attorney explained that the medical expert agreeed with the medical evidence and the judge approved it. 
Title: Re: SSD
Post by: leatherman on December 10, 2010, 05:33:59 pm
I've actually felt like it's time to go back to work (which I love) even though my ID doctor doesn't think it's a great idea yet
thank goodness you didn't go back to work! If you did that they would have denied the disability. (the reasoning is that people who can work don't need assistance ;) ) For heaven's sake after having that mass removed, along with whatever other ailments you have that got the disability approved, don't work for a while. Take care of your health and yourself for a while.

But it is great to hear that your disability was approved; yet even better to hear how you've decided to live. ;D

One of my partners has been dead for 16 yrs and the other partner (both relationships lasted a decade) passed away just 2 and a half yrs ago, so I can surely sympathize with your grief and your lapse of caring for yourself during the aftermath. Hmm. Looking back at my own life and health, it was probably 6 yrs or so after my first partner (Randy) passed away, that I kicked myself back into gear. Of course it helped that I had fallen in love again (with Jim) ;) Love is a great motivator to want to live. LOL

It's a tough row to hoe when you lose the other half of yourself. (After this second loss, it's just by sheer willpower that I get through these days of depression ::) )

I hope for you that the "security" of having the disability money and the medical benefits will help you as you continue to pull yourself together and move forward.
Title: Re: SSD
Post by: laslopaka on December 10, 2010, 05:49:26 pm
I wasn't sure where to post this, but I had to share some great news that I had today.  This week has been full of turmoil but it has ended on a great note.  I lost my partner of 15 years almost 6 years ago.  I let my health go to hell and was ready to give up.  I applied for SSD Sept 05 as I was total unable to work for numerous reasons.  Partly emotional, partly physical and mostly just not caring.  Like a dumb ass I made some horrible decisions because I didn't care anymore.  I was denied SSD and having been fighting the appeals and going through the process.  Through this period I started focusing on living again and getting as well as possible.  Lately, I've actually felt like it's time to go back to work (which I love) even though my ID doctor doesn't think it's a great idea yet.  I finally had a hearing today with the alj in Columbus.  I rec'd an on the record favorable decision in about 15 minutes.  I wasn't even totally sure what happened until after the hearing and my attorney explained that the medical expert agreeed with the medical evidence and the judge approved it. 
Congrats on your approval. Seems like you had a battle. Good luck to you. ;D
Title: Re: SSD
Post by: Ann on December 10, 2010, 06:15:31 pm
Laslo, I'm sure you mean well but as someone only diagnosed this past January, you should not be posting in the LTS forum. It is only for people diagnosed before 1996. Thank you for your cooperation.

Ann
Title: Re: SSD
Post by: wolfter on December 11, 2010, 05:07:51 am
Thanks Leatherman.  As usual, you always have the nicest things to say.  My stress level up to this week was horrid and now, suddenly it feels like things will get back to normal (at least my version).  I will miss Bill everyday but I have decided it's time for me to live again.  I just hope I never use the phraze, "just get over it and move on".  I actually had people say that to me.  I hope to find another love in the future, but it'll be difficult for that person, because Bill will always be a part of my life and I refuse to bury those memories. 

Thanks again!