Disability..out of hand?

whipping girl in 07, RN · Apr 30, 2002

All this made me think of a guy I went to nursing school with. He had asthma (according to him, as I never saw him have an attack), and his doctor filled out the paperwork for him to get a handicapped parking sticker. Now, at my college, with a handicapped hangtag, you could park ANYWHERE on campus. They even gave you a card so you could get into restricted areas with cardreaders. So every day, he would park in the parking garage under the nursing building and JOG up THREE flights of stairs to his classes. This way he didn't risk an asthma attack by parking in the pay lot across the street or riding the bus from the commuter parking lot. In clinicals he moved his patients with ease and even worked as a CNA through school.

Any comments on this??

Huganurse · Apr 30, 2002

Just want it to be known that this thread has nothing to do with people who are on disability for legitamate reasons or should be on it. I am talking about people who have a history of not being able to keep jobs and are NOT work ethic people and use the first excuse they can find to apply and obtain disability. Under 40 and active. I know there are always going to be people who try and do beat the system b/c that is just the way they are. I just wondered if others had noticed an increase in those type cases or if they knew why it seems easier to get disability for some people. Las Vegas is right on IMO, makes total since to me now. Thank you.

And thanks to Nurse Dennie and Mattsmom for some confirmation of my suspicions with the examples.

Nurse Dennie your hubby may be on to something here. I have some personal experience with not getting a small hand when needed due to being a nurse, both from public entities, and friends and family. They just envision the big $ and that's it. Since we are by nature a self sufficient bunch in the first place, I guess it never dawns on them that one of us might need help at times. We are the helpers and givers, oppisites of slackers and takers. I have asked employers if they have a fund or cash on hand to help any nurses in a financial or in a distress emergency. None of them did. When a new nurses home burnt down while I was working at the hospital, nobody came running to help out. It was as if it would be degrading to her by giving her our hand me downs. The management said they couldn't help either. The fund that we started was given and minimal. What gives here? Is that thinking prevelant and based on the same mentality as nurses who have been denied disablity?

kids · Apr 30, 2002

I have many comments on people who marginally deserve disability and are receiving it.

I will keep them to my self as I eat my 2nd of 3 daily doses of Kadian 80 mg, plop my back with its 5 failed surguries in my wheel chair and go to work.

Why am I going to work? Because at 38 years old the SSA says I'm not eligible for disability because I can be drugged to a tolerable pain level and the wheel chair takes care of the fact I can't walk more than 50 feet.

God bless those of you Nurses that had the courage and strength to fight them. I didn't.

Lausana · May 2, 2002

Did anyone catch The View this morning? They had Greta Van Sustren (of OJ fame) on discussing outrageous legal cases currently going on...anyway, one case was a phone sex operator who had filed a worker's comp claim because she said she'd developed carpel tunnel from, ahem, her daily "on-the-job-activities" and believe it or not she won the case and was going to actually receive money???? :rolleyes:

[sigh]

LasVegasRN · May 2, 2002

Lausana,

I'm not surprised! The "legal" prostitutes out here in Nye County are completely covered unders workers compensation.

That's Sin City for ya....

mattsmom81 · May 2, 2002

Ya mean if they get a STD or worse, the taxpayers support them???

Trauma Columnist · May 2, 2002

This is really a sore subject with a lot of people. In Illinois (maybe other states too?), it is a lifelong disability to be an alcoholic - can't work, so you get state aid, etc..!!!! Now, while I agree that alcoholism isn't curable it can be controlled and should not result in long term disability. My son (who is 17) is severely mentally ill and could qualify for SSI (or so I've been told). However, when he takes his meds, he is just fine. So...he takes his meds, goes to school, works and is a responsible member of society. My oldest son (21) has asthma, been intubated x3, multiple meds, etc. Is he on SSI? No, he graduated from college, works fulltime and is a very productive member of our world.

I think a lot is attitude...I also think that unfortunately some undeserving people get on SSI too.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · May 2, 2002

Howdy Yall

from deep in the heart of texas

Disability has become the american dream,and a long time ago I stopped worrying about it, and worrying about how some people got on it. All that thinking about it is enough to give you ulcers, gray hair, and most importantly interfere with your golf swing. If there is nothing you can do about it, why fuss about it, it aint gonna do you any good atall. I say be respectfull of yourself, your achievements, and your ethics in regard to work, and what is just as in accordance with your upbringing. DONT SWEAT THE THINGS YOU AINT GONNA CHANGE.

keep it in the short grass yall

teeituptom

OBNURSEHEATHER · May 2, 2002

Originally posted by teeituptom
DONT SWEAT THE THINGS YOU AINT GONNA CHANGE.

We sweat these things because they threaten the very people that disability was meant to serve.

People lie and cheat to get money they aren't entitled to, and this in turn makes it difficult for the people who really need it. I've known people who don't pursue disability bebefits because there are too many hoops they need to jump through, too much of a runaround. Why? Because of the scammers.

I just watched an interesting show the other night on TV. It was all about undercover operations to catch people scamming disability and workers comp. Showed home videos of the claimants lifting weights, riding surfboards, shooting some hoops, etc. What a wonderful idea!

Heather

LasVegasRN · May 2, 2002

Mattsmom - yes. Remember workers comp is intended to cover you for any injury that arises out of the "course and scope" of your employment.

The, ahem, "working women" of Nye County are required to have their clients wear... er, ah.... protective gear in order to reduce the risk of any contact with... uh.. hazardous materials. hee. :imbar

OBNURSEHEATHER · May 2, 2002

Originally posted by LasVegasRN
Mattsmom - yes. Remember workers comp is intended to cover you for any injury that arises out of the "course and scope" of your employment.

The, ahem, "working women" of Nye County are required to have their clients wear... er, ah.... protective gear in order to reduce the risk of any contact with... uh.. hazardous materials. hee. :imbar

Are you for real? Do they pay taxes on their earnings?

Heather

LasVegasRN · May 2, 2002

Heather,

Yes they do. Just like any other "job".