After 24 years of disability I am just now going to have a FCE (functional capacity evaluation.)

Actually, I had one in 1995 when the rehab center then ordered a whole grouping of aids to help me with daily living... reach extenders, door knob grips and the like. They also provided an ergonomic keyboard...but I no longer have a desk top.

This FCE isn't by order of the doctor like the last, it's really coming from the disability insurance company. I have to see their doctor. There's no knowing if it will be legit or not. If they are paid off by the insurance company already, then it won't be. If they are legit and fair and honest, then it will work to my advantage and gaining more assistance for daily living. I hope for the latter, of course.

Pain and ability is mainly subjective. I don't look forward to this eval... I will go off my pain medicine for the day (or until it's over, which could be short time.) I already know I can't do many of the items on the list... and some I can push and do but will pay for it in spasming and increased pain (some immediate and some hours later and the next day or two or three.) It's difficult to know when to push and when not to... you want them to know you are trying to cooperate, but you really don't want to overdo. You don't want to overdo if you really can't do that stuff IRL daily living, and also for the resulting increase in pain and spasming. But if you don't push a bit, or even try, they might say you're malingering or uncooperative.
You'd hope they'd know that after that long of time on my"own" and disabled that I really know what I can and can't do, right? (Well I still go to physical therapy 3x a week just to maintain.)

Sigh. They scheduled it for next week when I already have 2 doctor appointments scheduled. I tried to call them at 4:20pm but they were gone for the day. In a way, that's encouraging because my appointment is set for 1:45pm during the day...so that means they won't take long on my FCE. In a way, that could be bad because they haven't allotted much time and that may mean they already made up their minds.

Ok... positive thinking... this can be the boost I need in obtaining the home help I need....