Abuse at the hands of Social Security (I'm NOT kidding!)

I'm a survivor (for the moment) of Domestic Violence. I've been raped, beaten, abused, and abandoned. I'm fighting to survive, to build something of a life and taking things slowly, one step at a time. I fought to have my name changed without any of the normal stuff like publication and having an open, searchable court record. No-one can ever connect my old name with my new one, and vice-versa. It wasn't easy, took more than a year and require proof.

Next step of course is, armed with the same proof, AND a sealed name change to go to the Nazi's at the SS office and get my social and name changed there. Called them up, told them what I needed to do, what I had for them and was assured that yes, survivors who fear for thier lives, can have a change. It requires first at the very least, that there was a restraining order, and then that it had been violated. It also required a sealed name change as part of the process. When I had that all I could come right in and it would be done, and no, it would not interefere with my pending disability case.

They lied. It's the only thing I can think at this point, they lied! Not only did they not change anything, they called me, to my face a liar, claimed I'd forged all the court paperwork, and threatened to call the police on me if I didn't take my crying and hystrionics someplace else. I left in deep despair, serious pain from the half hour long verbal assualt this woman gave me.

I went directly to my therapists office crying the whole way there. She helped me calm down some and compose myself and told me to go home, take one of the heavy tranquilizers and rest a bit, then we'd talk about it more and see what to do next from there.

I went home, took a pill that usually knocks me out, leaves me non-functional and waited, and waited, and waited for it to take effect. While I waited, I called the SS main number back, lost it again and was hysterical and crying on the phone, but never once did I say, or even allude to taking my own, or anyone else's life. They kept me on the line, called the police, and had me taken under guard to the rubber room. I kid you not, padded everything where I waited some more. Now I was not only hysterical in pain, but further terrified by being locked away in a padded cell.

By the time they came for me I was calmer, but no less terrified, they found me huddled in a corner shaking. My roommate had come over to the hospital and joined me, helping to calm me down, but the threat of a 72 hour hold was very real. All because I got emotional on the phone.

Hello, since when is having emotions a crime, since when is showing how one is feeling a criminal act. Worse yet still, while the rest of the world is more respectful of someone who's been through hell, these idiots gave me a denial with the following sentence as the reason;

"We need documentation that her life is in actual danger and that she has a RIGHT to be fearful." (My caps not thiers)

I'm sorry but who died and left them boss of the universe? Who said they can decide who has a RIGHT to be afraid??? What is this madness???

So now I have a new name I can only use online and no place else because it will lead them right back to me and it will all start over again. What's a girl to do?

This is terrible. I couldn't imagine all that you're going through right now. Just try to hang in there and know that you know the truth. I know that's very hard to take, especially when you need so much help right now, but that may be all you can do at the present moment, at least until you can receive more help from SSA.

Hang in there and we are all here to support you in any way we can.

I'm trying to, but now I'm terrified they are going to have me thrown in the looney bin again. Yeah I know the truth, but it was hard enough to get all this done, now I have to fight the SAME battle over again with these idiots?

When do I catch a break? When do I get to feel safe for a change? Who do they think they are? How can they get away with deciding if I have a right to feel safe or not???

What a mess. I'm sorry you're up to your ears in it. Hang in there. You're a survivor. You can do it.

Good Lord, what an experience. I hope things work out for you. I suspect your T can stand up for you if they try to throw you in a rubber room again. I can't imagine getting thrown into the luny bein. Perhaps, you could seek out some local friends or family to support your claim with SS. Also some organizations offer advocacy for people (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill).

Yes, my therapist agrees that they completely overreacted and jumped the gun. You'd think they'd never heard a woman cry before?!?!

I've made up some ground, talked to SS again at the 800 number and made some strides forward. They sugested another office, it is a bit more of a drive, but well worth it. The woman I spoke to thinks I did the right thing, that this one time things got crossed and the woman in the other office shouldn't be working with the public.

I'm working slowly on things, and I'll get there. I'm also looking into some social security lawyers to see if they can deal with it for me. TIme will tell. In the meantime tranquilizers and anti-depressants are the order of the day.

My brother used to joke that if you take and "upper" and a "downer" together you'd get even. That was then, now anti-depressants to keep me up and out of the blackest depths, and tranqs to keep me down and from over-reacting. Reality, so much more wild than the strangest fiction. Go figure!

Mean while I went to the bank, and the phone company to change my name with them. Exactly the same paperwork, and no problems at all. Who needs drugs when reality is always lurking ready to take you on a wild trip in a strange direction . . .

Thanks for the vote of confidence!!! {{{{{{{{{{{{{everyone}}}}}}}}}}}}}