What was your experience? I have one later this month. I know I said I wasn't going... if you read that thread about the surprise when I learned an attorney had contacted me. After getting sick I changed my mind. I wonder now if I'm ever going to feel well physically again. The atty says I drew a good judge and a have good case but then she would say that.
So... any experiences to relate or advice? The law office assistant already gave me one bit of advice. Don't dress flashy As if... I don't even have anything flashy lol

[Perna]

Good luck, George.

Thanks Perna Still have mixed feelings on this but don't have much faith in my physical health anymore so I'm going to try it. I guess I'll just act normally. Unfortunately I act pretty normal and rarely lose my humor or optimism. I'm not sure that's a plus in this situation.

[LaborIntensive]

Just be sure not to stress your strong points. You want to appear as miserable as possible and not able to go on with a normal working career.

Originally Posted by LaborIntensive

Just be sure not to stress your strong points. You want to appear as miserable as possible and not able to go on with a normal working career.

Thanks but I'm not an actor and I couldn't do that. I'm extremely disappointed in how much of my life has been lost to depression/anxiety and ashamed of what I perceive to be a weakness in myself. I'm sure trying to explain and examine my life in front of strangers will dampen my spirits enough to blunt my sparkly personality and charm
I don't want the decision to be based on my demeanor. I want it to be based on my history and the professional opinions of my doctor and the doctor who was hired by the SSA to examine me when all this was in the early stages.
I'm not getting my hopes up for this.

[RTerroni]

I had an SSD hearing back in June 2012, basically what happened with me is that I met with my lawyer at the appeals court right before going into the hearing room and from there they asked my a number of questions pertaining to my case.

I was originally supposed to have the hearing in September 2011 but when I got there my lawyer told me that they wanted to get more testing done before they gave me a hearing so I had to go through all that and come back nine months later for the actual hearing.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I am scared of when I will have one! Im sure I will be panic attack mode...

[RTerroni]

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

I am scared of when I will have one! Im sure I will be panic attack mode...

They're really not that bad, nothing to get that panicky about.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Are there a lot of people?

[UnderRugSwept]

George,

Is your lawyer not going to talk to you more thoroughly before the hearing? I am waiting for mine to be scheduled later this year. My lawyer said we would meet and go over everything before it happens. He also mentioned that there are more empathetic judges and less empathetic judges...I hope your lawyer was honest with you about the one you have! I know my lawyer mentioned that eye contact and clearly explaining yourself are helpful things. And yes, mine also mentioned appearance to me as well, ha. I really hope your hearing goes well!

Hallie Beth,

My lawyer said it would be just him, the judge, a clerk taking notes (or typing them up, whatever), and myself. I get extremely nervous (and nauseated) at the idea of talking in front of people....even small groups. I mentioned how anxious I am going to be (like totally freaking out) and he said since one of my issues is debilitating anxiety, that might not be so bad. Awesome!

***So, in conclusion...don't dress nicely. And maintain eye contact and speak clearly while having a panic attack. Eek.***

Originally Posted by Elsewhere

George,

Is your lawyer not going to talk to you more thoroughly before the hearing? I am waiting for mine to be scheduled later this year. My lawyer said we would meet and go over everything before it happens. He also mentioned that there are more empathetic judges and less empathetic judges...I hope your lawyer was honest with you about the one you have! I know my lawyer mentioned that eye contact and clearly explaining yourself are helpful things. And yes, mine also mentioned appearance to me as well, ha. I really hope your hearing goes well!

I haven't heard from the law office since I made the original post. Nobody mentioned having a meeting. I think it may have been helpful to talk to the atty and get a sense of what goes on. I'm not that optimistic about it.

Originally Posted by Elsewhere

Hallie Beth,

My lawyer said it would be just him, the judge, a clerk taking notes (or typing them up, whatever), and myself. I get extremely nervous (and nauseated) at the idea of talking in front of people....even small groups. I mentioned how anxious I am going to be (like totally freaking out) and he said since one of my issues is debilitating anxiety, that might not be so bad. Awesome!

***So, in conclusion...don't dress nicely. And maintain eye contact and speak clearly while having a panic attack. Eek.***

That was interesting. I wonder what the eye contact is about. I was thinking that people with severe anxiety and/or depression don't make a lot of eye contact.
I'm not sure about it but I think there may be other people present at my hearing. Yes... I just reread the letter from the judge. There will be a "vocational expert" and a "medical expert" who will testify. I'm not sure if they will testify for or against me I'm feeling less and less optimistic...
HALLIEBETH87, good luck I can think of a few more tips off the top of my head... do not have a nice tan going on Probably best not to have expensive shoes/bags and don't accessorize... go easy on makeup

[Fresia]

I did not meet with my attorney until outside the hearing room and he gave me instructions at that time; so I would go a little early if you can to talk to him about any concerns or questions, or even call the office ahead of time.

The "experts" that testified went in at different times than when I went in so that when it was my turn, it was only myself, the attorney, the judge, the clerk, and an administrator. I was told to be myself but to let the attorney talk and only speak when spoken to to answer questions, be as specific as I could and not to play up my strengths, just let them know how things have been and answer their specific questions to the best of my ability. There were some I could not remember as part of my issue was memory loss with my depression and meds and explained that to be honest that, "I am sorry I just cannot recall." As far as eye contact, though despite when growing up being told always to make eye contact, I don't think I did as my depression and anxiety were pretty bad at the time.

If you have concerns, contact your attorney would be the best thing to get more specific answers and advice as to what he/she would recommend. Wishing you all the best meanwhile. ((((George H))))))

[HALLIEBETH87]

Originally Posted by George H.

I haven't heard from the law office since I made the original post. Nobody mentioned having a meeting. I think it may have been helpful to talk to the atty and get a sense of what goes on. I'm not that optimistic about it.
That was interesting. I wonder what the eye contact is about. I was thinking that people with severe anxiety and/or depression don't make a lot of eye contact.
I'm not sure about it but I think there may be other people present at my hearing. Yes... I just reread the letter from the judge. There will be a "vocational expert" and a "medical expert" who will testify. I'm not sure if they will testify for or against me I'm feeling less and less optimistic...
HALLIEBETH87, good luck I can think of a few more tips off the top of my head... do not have a nice tan going on Probably best not to have expensive shoes/bags and don't accessorize... go easy on makeup

was a gift and def not expensive. Im pale as all get out and I dontwear makeup!

I don't have expensive shoes or purse....the purse I hav

[(JD)]

Just be yourself, who you are dressed as you do day to day...they can spot fakes etc.

Realize that you might feel as though you are the one on trial...but in reality it is the insurance company. Keep this is mind always! They try all sorts of antics and word phrasing to push your buttons... the lawyer of the carrier I have even insinuated that I was double dipping (when they were confronted with NOT PAYING ANYONE!) lol what a low person who does that (accuse or double dip).

Anyway, no, IMO your lawyer would tell you if you hadn't drawn a "good" judge.... so thank God for who you have, and be sure to keep what control you can of yourself (sugar draws more than bitter) because you might always have this judge in the future...and they can grow to like you...or understand your case better.

Remember, you are not the one on trial...be yourself... take time to answer, and you can always say you can't remember or you don't know or like in my case...I don't always remember all of an answer when under stress, so there might be more to it...

be well. good wishes

Hallie... I didn't understand what you meant about the gift. Also I was def not insinuating anything
I got a call this morning from the law office. They want me to run down to the SS office and fill out an SSI application
I don't think they are totally together

I seem to have won. Despite and because of the atty, possibly. She wasn't exactly on top of things but she did know the judge The judge wanted to know why the claim was denied in the first place given the info from my doc and the doc hired by SSA... and why SSA had given no reason for denying the claim.
There was no eye contact by anyone. There were 5 people present... 6 including the court reporter.

[Informinator]

Good luck with the hearing

Or maybe I didn't win and the atty was wrong. Everyone was speaking in code and maybe she misunderstood. It's been 6 weeks and nobody on either side knows anything. I'm thoroughly disgusted with the whole thing so I think I'll forget about this and just do the best I can.

[Fresia]

It was 3 or 4 months after my hearing before I heard the judge's decision about my case. The attorney had his opinion meanwhile but that is not conclusive. It may be a little more time before you hear. Hang in there!