I am wondering if I wouldn't qualify for long term disability

[flyingnurse73]

Changing the subject matter a little here....no offense to those above me..but I was wondering : Does anyone out there have any experience with physical disability? I had 9 herniated discs and sciatica after 33 yrs of nursing. I had two herniations impinging on my spinal chord affecting my motor skills fixed and have another 7 to go. The herniations in the lower cevical and thoracic area are partly due to heavily endowed in the chest. My insurance has denied a breast reduction, the pain makes my blood pressure go up ..I have never had high blood pressure before, and I have recently had a stroke due to HTN. My stroke hit part of my brain stem. I know that 30% of stroke victims have another stroke with in a few years. I don't want to be one of those. If that happens it will probably take out the whole brain stem and I will be a Christopher Reeves if I survive. I am 55 yrs old and I am scared to go back to work, as I work in administration 70-80 hrs per week. I resigned that job and asked to step down to coordinator. Thankfully for me, the paperwork to lower my wage had not yet been done. However, going back in another ten days, I am scared as it is long hours and many of them. We have to work in acutes dialysis until it gets done and all the patients are done. I have applied for some other jobs, but I am wondering if I wouldn't qualify for long term disability. Any one out there have any thoughts on that? Thank you.

[DSkelton711]

Disability can be hard to obtain. If you have been unable to work and you've got good medical documentation then you may want to go ahean and apply. I applied and first judge turned me down. 2nd judge threw out the other judges finding. I have a doctor who has great documentation, as do my specialists. It took me 4 months to get my disability. I am back at work thought as disability din't pay me enought. However, I seem to be headed back there. If you tryly cannot work, then you need to seek disability, If turned down then reapply witha lawyer. As you can see, my nerves in neck, arms hands make typing difficylt as well as my brain shuts down from the pain. Good luck to you. If I slow down my typing is better!

[OCNRN63, RN]

I just went through the process of applying for SSDI. I got approved on the first try. I think what helped was having a good attorney who specializes in disability (not one of those ambulance chasing lawyers you see on TV), having a strongly worded letter from my specialist outlining all of the ways in which I am disabled and coming to the hearing with a notebook organized with everything in order. I know it doesn't work out like this for everyone, but I think if you have the paperwork and meet the requirements then it's worth a shot.