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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Disability
        
(Message started by: kcopelin on May 20^th, 2005, 10:06pm)

Title: Disability
Post by kcopelin on May 20^th, 2005, 10:06pm

Geez, I can't even believe I'm having to go there, but I haven't been able to work in almost two weeks-no sleep and when I'm not being actively attached I feel like crap. New job-since Jan- and no sick leave saved up so I'm not getting paid-
Have had these for 24 years and only quit one job because I couldn't be there for the clients. I am not a whiner, weakling or lazy butt.
I checked out the links on disability but clusters do not seem to qualify according to the SSA. Mine are episodic anyway so its not permanant.
Any thoughts, advice thanks
kathy

Title: Re: Disability
Post by vig on May 20^th, 2005, 10:08pm

it's a tough road, no doubt.
just do your best.

Title: Re: Disability
Post by marty on May 21^st, 2005, 3:46am

Hi

To get temporary disability can be done and you can talk to the Human Resources person about this - if there is no such person (small company) talk to you doctor who will have to be involved anyway. I did this in 2001 for a couple of months but I don't remember the exact procedure.

Full disability is hard but it can be done depending on how many months out of a year that you have CH. This is something that you need to talk to your doctor about as well.

My suggestion is that you fill out the FMLA papers - that will at least ensure that you will not get fired or "punished" for taking time off. If I remember correctly, on FMLA you can take up to 180 days per year. FMLA does not pay any money but it gives you the right to take a lot of time off.

So to start with, I would suggest that you get the FMLA for now. Next step is to talk to your doctor and ask him/her for advice regarding partial or full disability.

I had the FMLA and at the same time I followed advice from here (Jonny) and started my own little business as a side income. It is still just a side income but it gives that little bit of extra money to carry me when it gets hard.

If you apply for disability (full or partial) keep in mind that it is a long process and it can take up to 1 year (or longer) for them to decide if you qualifiy or not. You WILL be turned down on the first try and you MUST appeal this decision. Depending on how strong your doctor is and how much paperwork you have from ER visits, MRI's CAT's etc you may or may not be required to see one of "their" doctors.

Applying for and getting disability is a long and frustrating process - if this is the route that you plan to go, e-mail me and I will give you some specific info as to what Jill and I did to get her approved.

Hang in there (don't you just hate when people tell you to do that ) ;;D

Marty

Title: Re: Disability
Post by kcopelin on May 21^st, 2005, 6:15pm

Thanks Marty
Sounds like temp disability from the state will be pretty easy-SSA is another story but I really don't want permanent disability. Hope y'all are doing well.
Kathy

Title: Re: Disability
Post by Lizzie2 on May 21^st, 2005, 6:37pm

I agree with Marty about the short-term disability if your company has FMLA or another form of short-term disability available.

I know for my future job, there are maybe 3 different short-term disability packs I can choose from and also one or two longer term disability packs. But I would still just be taking a sort of "extended leave" - and some packages dismiss pre-existing conditions from qualifying for short-term disability.

I forget the exact requirements for FMLA, but I think you have to have at least 60 employees in the company? Honestly, I don't know for sure - I know that there is a cutoff number, so you can definitely look that up somewhere.

If you are without clusters for most of the year, I know I'd definitely just try for the short-term disability unless something else is going on.

But only you and your doc can decide that!

Best of luck!
Lizzie :)

Title: Re: Disability
Post by kcopelin on May 21^st, 2005, 7:04pm

Thank you for your advice-I work for the county so they "have" to give me FMLA-just never know how long the cycle will last-could be 4 months-could be 6.
kathy

Title: Re: Disability
Post by Karla on May 21^st, 2005, 9:31pm

I got perminent disabilityity but I got it for the depression that goes with chronic pain. I wish I never went on disabilitly. I have been looking for work for last 2 years and even spent last year in school refreshing classes and I am not getting any interviews. So make sure your ready to possibly be there forever or kicked off and have nothing to fall back on.

Title: Re: Disability
Post by Gator on May 21^st, 2005, 10:32pm

on 05/21/05 at 19:04:07, kcopelin wrote:

Thank you for your advice-I work for the county so they "have" to give me FMLA-just never know how long the cycle will last-could be 4 months-could be 6.
kathy

Just be careful taking time if you really like your job and want to keep it. The following court case demonstrates that an episodic that takes too much time off work because of their cluster headaches may legally have their employment terminated. The Americans with Disabilities Act does not consider long term absences "Reasonable Accomodation."

http://law.emory.edu/caselaw/11ca/mar2003/02-12971.opn.html