In 1974, I was a passenger in an auto accident on a freeway...pre seat belt. Double fractured pelvis, healed unlevel...was not pined, ignored because of the serious head injury with vision loss, speech loss, dislocated knee, neck injury. I was allowed 10 wks. from work(without pay) or lose my job. So, on crutches, braces and pain meds, I returned to work. For the next 25 years, when I could physically no longer do one job, I would find other work. I did not want to use tax dollars to further my education...I was taught you do ANYTHING before going on the government dole. I raised my kids, alone, and paid for our home, never with government help. After 2 more back injuries, 2 more knee dislocations, I could only work part time and by 1996 I could no longer do that. I applied for SS disability. Turned down. Reapplied, turned down.. I have a autoimmune disease as well (diagnosed with biopsy, 1972), ulcers, recurring field of vision loss, migraines, etc.
The SSA says I am not disabled at 56 years and can get work, because I have so much “experience” and good references. I can’t even drive any longer. Yes, I know I need an attorney....they want paid up front, regardless of what the SSA says and they all want new MRI’s, xrays, etc...because all records over 7 to 10 years are destroyed. I was forced sell my home of 30 years last may and now live in another state. I quality for NOTHING. The last time I was in the SSA office, 4 hispanic’s were there, with our tax paid interpreter to change their address for their checks. 2 of them were obese. Unless one is illiterate, have never tried to work, obese, or “depressed” you just don’t fit into the “ qualified” category. Oh, yes, and you won’t believe this, no one else does...if you have not paid into SS for 5 years, it is gone....no disability, no matter how many years you worked and paid into it...check www.ssa.gov. But, SSI, the “welfare” portion needs never to be paid into and medicare is immediate for them. The SSDI program, we pay into, when “awarded” disability you must wait for 2 years for medicare. For instance: You are 45 years old. Your parents are ill and you have to quit your 20 year job to take care of them for the next five years (this also happened to me!) At age 50, you get hit by a truck and can’t move, much less work...guess what...you have no disability!! You waited TOO long! But, after you lose everything, you may qualify for SSI, along with the dredges of society.
The “system” needs an enema. Here’s the real rub. No one in the SSA, their contract employees, or our legislators will ever have to combat this system. They have another retirement/disability system. Judged by my peers. I think not. One SSA employee actually told me that my "mistake" was not filing for disabiity at age 25 in 1974!
I hope you all will consider signing the petition to reform Social Security Disability at: http://www.petitiononline.com/SSDC/petition.html