I cannot remember where this came from, except to say I saw it recently on Facebook. However, whoever did it, for whatever reason, whenever it was done, it fits! I can certainly relate, can you? The ‘sad’ thing is, I’m afraid it might fit even without me having PD! At least ‘we’ have an excuse!
Enjoy!
-sherri
For about three years now, Ram Meyyappan has been a writer and an …editor for Social Security Disability Help (www.disability-benefits-help.org).
Ram contacted me regarding doing a guest blog post on Parkinson’s Journey on getting help when filing for disability for Parkinson’s patients.
This is her very informative and helpful article for those seeking to hopefully, speed up what can often be a very long, frustrating, and discouraging process in the PD community – filing for disability. I hope you find it helpful and / or can pass it along to others who may be in need of direction in their attempts at filing for disability through the Social Security system.
Thank you, Ram, for reaching out to help those who find it hard to get the help they so desperately need.
Journeying with you – Sherri
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits Due to Parkinson’s disease
As you likely know, if you have firsthand experience with this condition, people with Parkinson’s disease face worsening symptoms such as muscle stiffness, tremors, and trouble with motor skills. As these symptoms become more severe over time, it will become increasingly difficult, or impossible, for this person to maintain a job. Not only do people living with Parkinson’s often struggle to pay for day-to-day expenses, but they also have to worry about costly medical expenses. This is when having Social Security disability benefits become a major source of relief.
Qualifying for Social Security Benefits With Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is a special case when it comes to Social Security claims because there is no definitive test or lab report that will prove a Parkinson’s diagnosis. What you can provide is a detailed report provided by your physician – perhaps a neurologist – that demonstrates any physical evidence of your condition, as well as the severity of the symptoms you are facing.
A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is typically reached once a physician finds evidence that you are showing signs of at least two of the cardinal symptoms, which includebradykinesia (which refers to slowness of movements), muscle rigidity, and tremors. When determining if someone is eligible for Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) looks for evidence that these symptoms impede significantly on an individual’s ability to complete typical workplace tasks.
People who live with Parkinson’s disease are generally approved for assistance if they are able to provide strong evidence that the condition has significantly made it difficult to stand, lift, walk, or even sit for an extended period of time. A strong Social Security Disability application will typically include documentation provided by medical professionals that show that the applicant is experiencing ongoing and debilitating symptoms in at least two extremities, even though they are undergoing prescribed treatments.
The SSA Blue Book, when listing eligibility requirements, does not specifically address the many emotional and cognitive issues that people experiencing the later stages of Parkinson’s can often experience. However, if these symptoms are making it difficult for someone to understand and follow directions when working, they can be used as evidence in the application process.
Understanding The Difference Between SSI and SSDI
There are two different Social Security Disability Programs for which you can apply: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).The primary difference between SSDI and SSI is that SSDI benefits are accessible to people that are too disabled to work, and who have paid into the system through payroll taxes, and have accumulated enough work credits. SSI benefits are available to people who are disabled, or over 65 years old, but who have a very limited income and who have not accumulated enough work credits to receive SSD assistance. SSI benefits are strictly needs based, and the amount received will depend upon income and the state where the applicant resides.
You can learn more about the two disability programs here:http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/245/~/difference-between-social-security-disability-and-ssi-disability
What to Expect from the Social Security Disability Application Process
It is important to realize that the SSD application process can be quite lengthy. Most people with Parkinson’s disease, who apply, are often denied assistance initially, but a substantial number are then approved for benefits after an appeals and hearing process.
If you, or a loved one, have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it is never to soon to begin investigating the SSD application process, as you could be waiting over a year to begin receiving badly needed financial assistance. To improve the chances that you will be granted approval for Social Security disability benefits as soon as possible, it is recommended that you seek legal guidance during the complex application and appealing procedures.
Article by Ram Meyyappan
www.disability-benefits-help.org
Ram Meyyappan
Social Security Disability Help
One of my readers contacted me with an interesting question. She asked me if I had experienced weight gain post DBS. She shared that in four months she had gained 15 pounds and has been unsuccessful in getting off the weight.
So, to all of my fellow DBS’ers –
Have you had a similar experience? If so, have you had success controlling it or taking it off and how?
If you have heard about this in your PD circles, can you share?
Thanks so much!
Journeying with you -
sherri
I can’t believe it’s May 1st. I should, as we celebrated my two boys’ birthday last night. 26 and 30 years old. Born the same day, four years apart. It leaves me amazed, for lack of a better adjective, how quickly the days and years have passed. It also makes me sort of sad, as watching my grandkids during the day leaves me realizing the same thing is happening to them.
I think as a young mother, you don’t realize how fast the time is slipping by. Your too busy changing diapers and running bath water. Doing tubs of laundry daily and wiping up spills. You’re consumed with the next activity whether it be a softball game or assisting with homework that you don’t realize your days til they walk out the door are now limited when at one time you thought you had forever.
I’m not sure how all that came out except to go back to the beginning and say once again, I can’t believe it’s May 1st. Parkinson’s Awareness month is now over and I flaked out on making others aware. Go ahead and throw the tomatoes. I don’t think I could have done any better.
I’ve been trying to meet a deadline for three writing projects I’ve been working on and it was last night so perhaps that accounts for the fact that this post is being written. It may also have something to do with the fact that John is sleeping and Clara is at preschool.
Anyhow, as my grandkids grow, I wonder, will today be the last day for opportunities to rock them because they won’t fit on my lap any longer? Will today be the last day for Clara excited to see me when I pick her up from school and she runs into my arms? Will today be the last day John is enamored with a hummingbird and waves bye-bye as it flies away?
Sometimes life can bring us down. Who am I kidding? Sometimes life DOES bring us down. The important thing to remember is it’s deadly to stay down. We don’t necessarily die physically, but when you deal with a chronic illness day in and day out, constant pain on top of that, loss of mobility – whatever comes with what you have – we can die in our spirit. We lose the desire to be a part of the fleeting days. We want to ‘fleet’ right along with them. Life is sometimes, almost, unbearable.
That’s one reason I watch my grandkids – because life is so precious and we aren’t promised tomorrow. That can be taken two ways. First, we aren’t promised tomorrow in that we may not have the opportunity ever again to spend time with those we love. We may choke on an olive at dinner tonight and that will be it. Second, we aren’t promised tomorrow in that we may still be here physically, but be in a place where we can’t have our grandkids on our lap or they’ll tip our wheelchair over. You know what I mean.
I know that if I don’t choke on an olive at dinner tonight leaves the possibilty(not set in stone) of not being able to do things with others later because of the road this disease may take me down. And so, I have to make a choice. In spite of the pain, loss of movements, tiredness and everything else that can come with a chronic illness – do I say forget it and give in to that dying spirit or choose to endure through the pain and whatever else and keep fighting this thing?
I choose to fight.
There are some of you who may not be so sure today. That is what prompted this post. Somebody may feel like giving up, giving in. Please don’t. If you don’t have the strength to fight emotionally, write me, leave a comment, message me on Facebook. Something. You are not in this alone. I will fight with you. I will fight for you. I’ve been there in the dark place and fighting is so much better because even in the pain, life is precious.
Journeying with you,
sherri
You have been told you have, or someone you love has, Parkinson’s disease. You’ve also heard it is incurable. Nevertheless, can it be treated? If so, what medicines are used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD)? This question was posed on a site I wrote for and I thought I’d share my article here.
First, let me say, I was diagnosed with PD over five years ago and misdiagnosed over fifteen years ago. As stated earlier, Parkinson’s disease is not curable, but it is treatable – to a degree. Just maybe the day you’ve reached your last degree will be the day they announce a cure.
No one I have ever met likes taking pills and yet, to treat Parkinson’s effectively, there is no way around it for the common patient. Each patient must also understand that PD affects each person differently and so each patient is treated differently and different medications will be used accordingly.
My drug therapy has been conservative, according to my neurologist. For example, one medication (if needed) is added at a time at my check up. This is done so that the physician is able to identify correctly, which medication a patient is reacting to, should side effects occur. This is a much safer procedure than starting with eight pills, three times a day and working backward.
Drug companies/pharmaceuticals would go out of business if they were not constantly coming up with improvements to the treatments already available on the market. That, in and of itself says there is progress being made in treatments for PD and other diseases/illnesses.
While I said earlier that PD is not curable, it is treatable. Treatable, however, will look different for you than it does for another patient. Some will be behind you in their progression of the disease, some ahead. It also depends on how each individual doctor believes or thinks best how the disease should be treated. As you can see, many different factors come into play when a physician must come up with a custom treatment for each patient that will best suit him (the patient).
Of the medications available that physicians choose for their patients, some of the more tolerated and beneficial seem to be Mirapex (although noted with serious side effects for some), Sinemet, Artane, Requip, and Comtan. Other various medications might be added to the mix dependent upon the patient’s symptoms and needs. Those could possibly be Azilect, Lexapro or another anti-depressant (one of the first notable symptoms of PD is depression), Amantadine, etc.
Each patient is unique and different and patients’ needs and reactions to their treatment will be different. What works for one may not be tolerated or work well for another. Hopefully, the drug treatment is scaled to your individual needs and will treat your symptoms, but only your doctor can decide with you what is best and what is needed. New steps are being taken every day and progress is being made at nearly the same rate in working towards a cure. Until then, it is best for patients to follow their regimented treatments until something better comes along. It will if we all keep fighting and do not give up.
Journeying with you –
Sherri
