Hearing in a couple days
Red
I'm new here, so please forgive me if I'm asking redundant questions.
It's been nearly 2 years into this process, and I finally have a hearing
with an ALJ on Thursday. I have an attorney I've never met, supplied by
my disability insurance company, who will be there with me.
The attorney's office has never really helped me in ANY way, no advice
on how to phrase things or whatever. I am nervous about this hearing,
and dumb as it sounds, worried about my appearance -- I look MUCH
younger than my 54 years, and am told I'm fairly attractive; I'm also
articulate and educated. I'm afraid the ALJ will feel that I should be
working, especially since my disability, pain, isn't as obvious as many
others. On top of that, the attorney tells me some judges do not
"believe" in Fibromyalgia.
Any advice would really be appreciated. TIA.
(Just FYI, I've had 3 major back surgeries, a bone infection in the
spine, and have unhealed (floating) ribs; residual surgical pain has
developed into Fibromyalgia.)
--
Red
the email address above is bogus due to the
harvesting that goes on in newsgroups
Diane
though, that SS has been recognizing CFS and FMS. I wish you the very best
on Thurs. Please let us know how it went. I'll be thinking of you.
Di
"Red" <Red_in...@noaddy.com> wrote in message
news:ULudnSDuVIY_5hHe...@catalog.com...
whatever...
It's been nearly 2 years into this process, and I finally have a
hearing
with an ALJ on Thursday. I have an attorney I've never met, supplied by
my disability insurance company, who will be there with me.
---------->> aLL I can say is relax and maybe see things in
a very long time period.
You've got the Hearing........however that goes, it will
probably be a month or 2 till you have any mail giving
you the outcome of the hearing...............just relax and be
totally honest with the judge....be at ease with the
judge....look at the judge because he or she knows
where you're coming from..........you're only 56,
there are people healing all the time and accomplishing
again at 60 and 70 and 80 and 90........
....hope for a long long life.........
Tim & Linda
is.
"Red" <Red_in...@noaddy.com> wrote in message
news:ULudnSDuVIY_5hHe...@catalog.com...
tinhead
you have about your back surgeries and conditions. Have any of your
docs filed out a physical capacity form (lift 5 lbs, walk or stand for
20 minutes etc)? If not call your favorite doctor and ask him for a
letter right away! He'll know what it is. That's really your lawyers
job.
Call your attorney and ask him to 'prep' you. Ask your lawyer if he has
all your surgical files & physical capacity forms? This way you'll know
if you can depend on him at the hearing. It's your hearing and you
didn't hire him even tho it's his job to get you your benefits so his
company can recover part of what they paid you! Trust your own
judgement! Remember, you've been waiting a long time for this right?
I'm also 54 and good looking! Smart too! I look about 45 so I
understand your problem. I went to my hearing in August after over 2
years of waiting and just looked casually clean. I even shaved! I've
had only 2 back surgeries and take allot of meds, including narcotics,
so bring a readout from your pharmacy. That shouldn't be a problem.
Take the bull by the horns and get any evidence you can get by
Thursday! That plus telling the judge what you feel like on your
'worst' day should get you approved. Never say what a good day feels
like or speculate what you could do 'if'! Never!
At the hearing the judge asked me the same questions that my lawyer had
'prepped' me for!
Just be honest & respectful and by all means tell the judge you've had
back surgery & when and this surgery & when etc. You can say something
like -I could walk OK until I had that lower back surgery, now I need a
cane to get around. I could lift until I had that neck surgery etc. I
hope you get the picture?
If the judge asks you if you want to add something say yes and then
mention your in-ability to perform the simplist tasks such as walking,
standing, lifting(5 to 10 lbs max) and sitting. Meds make you weak and
your mind wander right? The meds that you 'must' take are a key in your
case so use them to your advantage. Tell him of your worst days at home
taking all those meds just to hold the pain at bay while you watched
Oprah all day and you should have no problems even without your lawyers
support.
My judge kept complimenting me on my work record which almost made me
laugh so be careful and talk slowly and precisely. Look him in the eye
too.
Bring enough evidence to show that your lawyer hasn't been any help to
you if that's the case. Judges love to put down the lawyers when they
don't do a proper job! I hope this isn't the case with you but be
prepared just in case!.
I was approved after waiting over 3 weeks for the written approval
letter so I could move on with my life.
I hope I've helped a bit.
I wish you the best of luck at qualifying for your benefits.
Red
advice and well-wishes.
I called the attny last night and left a message saying I expected to be
prepped, and low and behold, this morning he called as if it was *his*
idea to do that. lol. I had to tell him some things he should have
known, but at least I think we're ready to proceed.
Thanks again,
Red
------------
shortfuse
Will be thinking about you!
"Red" <Red_in...@noaddy.com> wrote in message
news:qICdnYxk1YR...@catalog.com...
Pop
of "pain". Assuming it's the truth, even if exaggerated a tad,
that's always the best answer IMO. Your attorney will probably
give you short instructions just before the actual hearing.
Volunteer NOTHING positive, in any way. Always answer with your
WORST day in mind; forget about any other days.
Relax, take it easy, and don't worry about it. Worrying won't
change anything. Plan, but don't worry.
Best of luck!
Pop
"Red" <Red_in...@noaddy.com> wrote in message
news:ULudnSDuVIY_5hHe...@catalog.com...
: Hi, all,
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