applying for SSI

[Karyn]

Do you have any advice or information on applying for SSI.  I have no health insurance.    I will be receiving a letter in the mail regarding an appointment to see a doctor regarding Traumatic Brain Injury  and I can't begin to tell you how difficult it is for me to explain and get across what exactly I am dealing with.     Just dealing with paper work is so overwhelming and an embarrassment when I don't understand things that they are asking for .   How do I explain and make them see what I am dealing with regarding not being able to do,  or having difficulty doing  what use to be simple tasks like sorting clothes, remembering how to cook something or not being able to use a copy machine and sort the originals from the copies and breaking down crying.   People use to always ask me to "research things for them on the computer"  I can't  focus or concentrate long enough to do that any more.   I can't even sit down and read a book any more.   I wonder every day when or if this is going to get better.   My friends don't bother with me because I can't keep up with them and my husband  gets irritatedto the point that he would rather be out of the house.   I wonder every day why did I live through this anyway,  cruel fate ?    

Any way,  advice would be appreciated,  even if it means just forget trying to get medical help.

[Kerry Mischka]

They do not test for a TBI they have to see it....that is the only way to truly prove it!
 
Karyn said:

      I wrote a letter to Arizona Brain Institute  and  also an attorney that is handling the defective tire thingy and asked both 

"Do you have any names of neurologists, neuropsychologists or someone that specializes in diagnosing Traumatic Brain Injury, that maybe you have worked with in the past, that would help me be tested for TBI.    The only neurologist in Lake Havasu is completely booked up for months and I don't want to take the chance of going to someone that has not been recommended .    I am willing to travel to Phoenix.     Preferably, one that will charge on a sliding scale would be great since I don't have health insurance.  Thank you for your anticipated help.

I haven't heard anything back yet ,  but it being a Holiday week  I really didn't expect to.     Thank you for inquiring,  I appreciated your kind thoughts.    

 

[Kerry Mischka]

Karyn-

Just to make it simple and clear to you my suggestion and opinion is that you need a NEURO PSYCHIATRIST....the MRI must be ordered and read by that particular Doctor.

[Brandy]

hope the process is going good for you, it was a pain for me just keep at it

[John Donne]

I'm currently applying and oh man. Its difficult because non of the people at SSI seem to be experienced with TBI.

So they give me these complex documents i have to sign and yet i dont understand nothing and they can't explain them to me in a way i can understand SO now i'm gonna be late cause the thing was due next week and i still have to go to the Independent liveing center to see if they can help me understand it..

I'm gonna have to call the SS place and ask them if it's ok it will be late.

You sound like you really having a hardtime with your TBI. and they should believe you. You just need some medical reports. ALthough for me , i was tested and everything and i failed the test related to speech and understanding and yet they denied me. I'm currently reapplying. It sucks that they deny you when you have all the evidence.  If they dont think we should be getting Disability then dumb tell us where to find jobs that pay a liveable wage and that we can do .Ther'es none such!!! The jobs that are liveable are in Medical laboratories or computer science which are things me and perhaps other of you TBI people can't do.

YOu shouldnt be doing this all by yourself. It's hard!! Contact your INdependent Living center or some place for disabilities they will help you

[Karyn]

They truly just don't get it ( or just don't care)  one less case to deal with maybe ???      When I go to these interviews and  or  have to make out paper work ,   it is like it is in a different language that  they are speaking and the words on the paper are like in a different language I AM SORRY BUT I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND  !!!   They want the impossible from us I guess.   

[Fantastic Frank Johnson]

HI JOHN , I don't really remember how difficult it was for me to get my  SSID approved since it was more than  25 years ago.. However  since I had job at KODAK and was on their disability policy they did not want to pay the  total amount do they had  "encouraged' me after my first attempt at applying for SSID was denied to go out and get me one of those lawyers who specializes in getting you  approved .

It worked and so now I've been receiving my my SSID checks faithfully for more than twenty years.

Now I suspect that  you tried to do this yourself the first time and got now wheres?

Am I right ?

You need to have a knowledgable person  help you navigate the system for you.

 If you are married or have responsible siblings or  adult children or responsible friends they should offer to help you do the initial part ..

If you are alone do you go to some Independent Living program or some day program?
Ask them for help.

How recently did you become a TBI survivor?

There are some many questions that I would like to ask you to get you help.

However I feel that they just may overwhelm you and you may just give up.

and that is the secret to "winning" in your battle is that most of your challenges will come because you don't
have the specific knowledge to take the correct steps to get the outcomes you desire and so you give up.

If I can be of any further help to you please get in touch with me my phone number is 585-482-8833

FF

[Kerry Mischka]

YOU ARE TOTALLY CORRECT KARYN!!!!  They don't get it and they don't care, because it is not them dealing with it....Don't give up....that is the way to win....it is frustrating and totally stinks, but it is what it is....hang in there my friend....I am on your side....let me know if you need anything...even to call me and vent...I will listen....Kerry
 
Karyn said:

They truly just don't get it ( or just don't care)  one less case to deal with maybe ???      When I go to these interviews and  or  have to make out paper work ,   it is like it is in a different language that  they are speaking and the words on the paper are like in a different language I AM SORRY BUT I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND  !!!   They want the impossible from us I guess.   

[Kerry Mischka]

Rachel....That is so kind of you to support us that have suffered a TBI....you should be so proud of yourself for what you are doing for your son.  If I knew how to go about it, I would go and represent all of us and those affected by a TBI.  Although I am not a teacher,  I have sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, and I do not want to have a victim mentality....Do you have an idea of what could be done to help this situation?  I am passionate about helping others that are going through all this garbage. If anyone that has any connections and is willing to guide me, I would go like a gangbuster and let the whole world know what this entails.. it would be my mission!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Rachel said:

Hi Karyn, The social security administration needs to educate their employees on the definition of TBI. I went to social security one day, with my son, he was four months post accident at the time, and the wonderful worker at the window, was talking so fast, that I could hardly interpert what she was saying, looked at me, and said this "Social Security doesn't recognize Power of Attorney, and can he talk for himself. I almost fell out of my chair, and I very placidly looked at her, and said well are you still uneducated or ignorant to the definition of TBI, and how in the world would you ever expect him to speak for his self, because we can't understand your slang, and surely can't fit a word in edge wise. So would you be so kind, as to find me a supervisor, or someone who is qualified to work with my sons disability at this time. Unfortunately, the Social Security Administration sends stacks of paperwork, and its appeal after appeal. Someone needs to get a law in place, to help the TbI families. Best wishes to you. I have a college education, and I don't understand all their wonderful paperwork.