Quote:
Originally Posted by Rose76
Applicants often want to believe that they were good employees, but the stress was just too much for them. Wrong. The SSA will not let you have it both ways. If you were a good employee, then you should stay in the work force. You have to be prepared to paint an unflattering picture of yourself. It has to send the message that "I'm the kind of person that employers end up wanting to get rid of." Applicants often have a hard time embracing that description of themselves.
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Such a description would definitely not be true in my own case. I made it clear to the judge at my appeal hearing that I had tried my very best to keep working until 62 but simply could not make it. My issues were chronic back pain and partially-impaired vision affecting executive function (and I had very little medical documentation), and my employer had actually given me a raise to help make up for the difference as I reduced my hours over my last few months of gainful employment. Painting oneself as "Nobody wants me, please take care of me" might be what some people cry, but I left the work force with my dignity intact...and my employer still occasionally comes to me with a question or two as well as to maintain our friendship.