Disability

I met with my new caseworker from ORS today. They help people with disabilities find and keep jobs. Instead of physical disability since the papers I had from the doctor was from last winter, she is claiming mental disability. She said I definitely had a disability, but I'm not sure if that was in reference to mental, physical or both. Based on our conversation, she is referring me to a special program or place that can help me with housing, therapy, and lots more, I think. I don't really know much about it, but since the State would be referring me there, it would at least be monitored by the State, but not technically run by them. She said that she thinks I shouldn't be working. Returning to my last type of work can sometimes cause emotional triggers from PTSD, and my emotional status today was kind of nervous being at the appointment, so the PTSD showed right through. I had a letter from a T who I saw temporarily for just about a month once while I found someone else to take over. That letter said specifically "post traumatic stress disorder, chronic, severe". The letter was dated a year old, but that's what she copied for my file--not the work restriction forms from my orthopedic doctor. If I am determined to be not able to work due to PTSD--plus the medical restrictions which extremely limit work I should do--I don't know if it's good or bad. It can be good in some ways. But how is it or could it affect me seeing and being with my children if I am on mental disability?! I don't know if it would be looked at as two separate areas, work and general life/parenting or what. Could I be considered unable to work for psych reasons, yet still be considered okay to be with my kids? I just don't know what to think or expect of all this right now. Part of me is excited, the other part scared.

I don't know for sure but I certainly wouldn't automatically assume that "can't work" would mean "can't raise children"... while there may be overlap I think they would be looked at as two seperate issues... Certainly if it was a physical disability like "can't lift things" they wouldn't say that you couldn't raise children because of that... likewise if there is something specific work related that triggers your PTSD that might not have anything to do with home and family life.

I would hope they would look at the specific nature of the disability rather than just the broad category.

I'm happy to hear you have a caseworker that is helping you out with things, hope some good solutions come from this inky...

------------------------------------
--http://www.idexter.com

Thanks, Dex. I like this new caseworker better, too. My last one from a year ago only provoked PTSD and me wanting to avoid him. His only interest in me was to take me out to eat and ask too personal questions. I told the new caseworker about him, and I think she might even report him. With PTSD, it's not something easy for me to do. She considers me "unstable" and would likely use that for her to report him instead of me.

Hi,

I am on Social Security for Mental/Emotional disorders and part of the type of program you were talking about. They have really helped me alot with my daily living.

I have a Casemanager who comes to check on me twice a week. She helps me with paperwork for Medicaid and things. She helps me get to the grocery store and food pantrys when I do not have transportation. She basically helps make sure that I am Ok and they helped me with my current housing, based on my income HUD.

I know of people with children, and they are mentally disabled and by going through the program the casemanager can help in the cases of clients with children. I have known people who have lost temp. custody, and with the help of the program, and casemanager, stand up for the person and let them know that they are being 'Monitored' by the program and they look at this as a parent getting help and the caseworker can help with letting the people know the progress made and assure that the parent and children are ok, and it works to the parents advantage.

I hope this all works out for you in the best positive way- Best Wishes-Chris

______________
~KRIS~

If you think you have totally gave up, you haven't, because you are here!

Do you know of any websites that talk about this sort of thing? I tried searching my state's DHS site, but came up with next to nothing. They don't have things linked very well--I know there is information there, but it's VERY hard to search. I've had trouble before, find nothing doing a search, and then find what I'm looking for on my own after hours/days/weeks of manually going link-to-link.

I wish you luck with this program. It is a very good program and there is a lot of success in it.
In regards to your children, I agree with Dex, and, actually the fact that you are interested in participating in this program only demonstrates your desire to improve the quality of your life, a clear and direct reflexion of how responsible you are of your choices, and that sounds to me like a good "parenting skill" to have.

Don't worry about mixing one thing with the other. There are tons of disabled (both mental and p) parents that are much better parents that others without the disabilities.

Good move at your end! Go for it.

gab

Inky, I think that they would look at your illness and see if it would affect your ability to parent. I sure don't think so! When I was diagnosed with depression/anxiety, my ability as a mother never came into question and I know if it had, my T would have said something. Of course, my kids were all grown and out of the house when I filed for disability, but one of the reasons for denying me was they thought I could do day care for kids because I had taken care of a couple of my grandsons while their mother worked. I really don't think one thing has anything to do with the other. After all, you're not psychotic!!





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>