Nailing down disability is a challenge, especially SSDI. In my case, it started at age seven, when I was diagnosed with what was then called Hyperkinetic Reaction of Childhood in 1986's DSM-II (now called Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder) and placed on amphetamines, which was recorded and preserved in my pediatric records now held by the state and federal governments.
Decades later, that designation became all important, because qualifying for SSDI on the grounds of having AD/HD meant being able to prove I had a childhood history of the condition. Check.
On the other end of the application process, I had to be able to document I had lost at least one job because of AD/HD. In fact I did lose a job because of the symptoms and behavior of AD/HD despite alternating on 150 mg Ritalin. Adderall and Dexedrine at the time I was fired for failure of job performance. Between my personnel records from that employer and my psychiatric records at the time I was dismissed from that job, it was an easy slam dunk for the government to establish that my case was justified. Check.
The government also knew I wasn't a deadbeat or freeloader. My Social Security records showed that I had worked two jobs simultaneously three different times in my life. I also broke my foot once on the job, yet collected workman's compensation for only six weeks before returning to work, despite my doctor advising me to take eight weeks off.
I really, REALLY tried, to no avail.
However, since qualifying for disability, I have also aggressively maintained treatment in a futile effort to get better, and continued obtaining additional diagnoses to reinforce ongoing proof that I can't work, or even get hired. (When it comes to job interviews, Asperger's is deadly. I was evaluated for disability by three different neuropsychologists, and all three stated that they would not hire me to work for them based upon my off putting presentation of myself..)
At the time I qualified for SSDI, an applicant for disability had to have paid taxes into the Social Security system for at least 14 years, and I'd done it for over 20 years. The wife of my parent's car mechanic never paid into Social Security, working as her husband's secretary instead, so when she was hit with a series of strokes, she was summarily rejected for disability by the government. If I'd never paid into the system, and worked for myself off the books, I'd likely be similarly screwed now.
Last month, I received wheelchair logo handicap license plates for my car after developing bone spurs in my neck and lower back. I continue documenting additional medical conditions proving I can't work with either my mind or body.
I don't think I can take it either. Not just because it's a grind. But also because the negative effect on my mental and physical health. To the point where I'm barely sleeping anymore because of the stress. I get into a crisis every couple of years because of work related issues. This has been going on for 12 years, but before that experienced lots of trouble at school. I present well though, people still think I've got potential. However, I'm dead tired and don't trust anyone anymore. Dead inside. I applied for disability but there's a good chance it'll be denied. Then it's just a question of 'when' things will go downhill again. At which point I don't think I want to experience that again.
There are law firms which specialize as Social Security Disability Advocates in case you are denied who you might be able to turn to. I did not need any legal assistance, but the boss who retired with me (and remains one of my three best friends) applied for SSDI on grounds of being bipolar at my urging. After she applied, she told me she hired the law firm Binder & Binder to speed up her case, and qualified for SSDI before I did, after B&B took their $1,000 cut out of the first payment. (These legal advocates do not get paid unless you are approved. Their consults are free.)
