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#1
Apr 20, 2010, 01:41 PM
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Proving to someone that you need disability money isn't easy.
I left the disability psych test in a horrible state. I needed money to survive and I wasn't showing the real illness. And what if I get the money? It's so little--not enough to cover living. Real Living. And how little do I want from life? Never to take a vacation--or just blow money at a club? It seems like if I get disability money then I have accepted to live a frugal life of quiet despair. If I don't get it, then I need to find a way to survive. But how? Before leaving the office I turned to the eval psych doc and asked: "Can you play the piano?" "No" she said. "Why do you ask?" I took my handy battery powered mini piano keyboard out of my knapsack and asked her to touch the keyboard. A few notes rang. "You just played the piano," I said in mock amazement. "You are a piano player. A Pianist ready for the concert hall". She gave me the non-comital doctor-patient look. "What defines "work"? I asked. "The ability to work?" She didn't see the connection. She told me that it was common for people with my disorder to see connections that don't exist. For a moment I felt sad for the doc so I began to explain that standards of living are related to how a person obtains financial stability and how most people want more than just the bare bones but also want to dream and enjoy... She told me that my session was over before we came to any agreement. That might be a good thing if I want disability money in order to sort of survive. 
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#2
Apr 20, 2010, 02:27 PM
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I agree whole heartedly with you. getting the money for me is a relief but its not how I want to live. Yes it helps pay the bills since I cant hold down a job but its not enough to really live on. maybe working a part time job along with the disability would help? Its what I'm doing at the moment (if I can keep the job
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#3
Apr 20, 2010, 04:20 PM
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I can see what you mean...I've been on disability for 15 years now, and there are a few things I'd like but can't afford (a car, ability to occassionally splurge on better food, and a vacation to Savannah, Georgia). But other than that, I guess I don't really mind not having a lot of money. When I get frustrated about not being able to afford something, I try to remember there are a lot of people who are worse off than I, and without the medical benefits I'd be sitting in a state hospital because I wouldn't be able to get my meds. And honestly, the only people that I am jealous of are my aunt, uncle, and their 2 adult children. They are the happiest, most loving family I've ever met. They live in a small run-down trailer on a little bit of property next to a cemetery and have very little money. They grow their own vegetables, raise rabbits for meat, and every night they sit around a campfire together just talking or they play cards. My cousin got an old car from a junkyard several years ago and has been slowly saving money and restoring it himself...it's beautiful now and he shows it in local car shows. My other cousin does gorgeous needlework. My uncle works part-time as a janitor at the local school, and always wears a white t-shirt and overalls (he grew up on a farm) and always has a pipe and a smile. My aunt works cleaning houses, and she also does needlework and she can cook delicious meals that cost very little. I've always wished I had been born into their family.
Anyhow, sorry (again) for rambling, but I just wanted to share that...they are living proof that you don't need much to be happy. Besides, more stuff = more dusting!! LOL...
__________________
From the movie The Hours: "If I were thinking clearly, Leonard, I would tell you that I wrestle alone in the dark, in the deep dark, and that only I can know. Only I can understand my condition. You live with the threat, you tell me you live with the threat of my extinction. Leonard, I live with it too." My blog, "Life and Other Annoyances": http://jennikj.blogspot.com/  |
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#4
Apr 20, 2010, 08:12 PM
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sounds like you agree that mentally ill people have a choice of either setting for a frugal existance with subsidy from the state or taking a risk and trying to go for a more comforatble life and what a risk we must take!--i've been living on little for years and geting by--but why so few choices? aside from the truly dangerous, we're just mentally ill is all and we need help (all kinds of help). must we clean houses and sit around a campfire? why can't we travel the world and enjoy concerts and vacations in the Caman Islands? do we have to hide? cannot we be subsidized for a richer life?
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#5
Apr 20, 2010, 08:21 PM
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Everyone has a purpose. While I may LOVE to spend a month or 5 at Necker Island, it isnt what I am to do. Maybe my purpose was to help someone cope with personal issues. If that means bolgna sandwiches and grilled cheese. The physical things in life mean much less when you have a mission.
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 grizmom
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#6
Apr 20, 2010, 08:30 PM
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sounds like you have a good start--let me know how it goes after 30 years of eating peanut butter sandwiches and beans and rice. truthfuly it's easier said than done.
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#7
Apr 20, 2010, 10:16 PM
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Quote:
hi, im someone whos apploed and been denied, appealed the denial, and been waiting 18 months to hear those results,.... the help offered isnt so much.... but i would definately appreciate getting it. i have bp, gen. anxiety, and lupus-an autoimmune disease, and whin denied was told to find work as a ticket taker((((WTF))))) none of these jobs anywhere i live..... its so difficult to get accepted, but from what i understand its possible to work few hours and continue getting assistance, but if a spouse in the home is also working well, no benefits. Am glad some of us are approved.... mental illness is hard....insurance expensive....ugghhhh  
__________________
In a mad world only the mad are sane--Akira Kurosawa The things we fear have already happened...Deepak Choppra |
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#8
Apr 20, 2010, 10:52 PM
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Quote:
Also remember that the benefits not only include an income, but also medical doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, medications, hospitalizations, etc. and that ends up being a lot of money. I'm thankful that the program even exists.
__________________
From the movie The Hours: "If I were thinking clearly, Leonard, I would tell you that I wrestle alone in the dark, in the deep dark, and that only I can know. Only I can understand my condition. You live with the threat, you tell me you live with the threat of my extinction. Leonard, I live with it too." My blog, "Life and Other Annoyances": http://jennikj.blogspot.com/ Last edited by grizmom; Apr 21, 2010 at 12:48 AM. |
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#9
Apr 21, 2010, 08:30 AM
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i appreciate the replies and points of view--good luck to all
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