Scoliosis a disability

[bubbles1^]

Has anyone applied for disablity on their scoliosis. I have and had been denied,I can't work because of the shape that my back is in. I have a double S scoliosis, it is in the thoatic and the lumbar. The thoatic doesn't bother me as bad as the lumbar does. When the lumbar flares up I can't do anything I can't even move when the thoactic flares up I just try to rest. PLus I was told by one of the specilast that I went to that I could not work. That he would help me get my disablity when it came time to fill out papers that the doctor was suppose to fill out he was going to send me to another doctor and it was going to cost me 500.00 dollars for him to fill out a paper. Come to fine out that I could have filled out the paper myself. Any advice would be good.

[Karen Ocker]

Because it's so well known that successful surgery for scoliosis has been around for at least 40 years that might be the reason for the denial-unless you had surgery. If you are not a candidate for surgery because of medical reasons that might help.

Permanent disability is awarded to persons who, for the rest of their lives, cannot work--scary thought. It is not given so easily because of abuses in the past where people collected, got better, then worked under the table at taxpayers' expense.

I might not even been have been a candidate had I not had my revision at age 60. I certainly could not have worked at my profession but I could have had a desk job until I finally smothered from my breathing impairment. I am now working and making much more than I would have collected from disability.

If you're not working now-I see from your profile that you are a stay at home mom, not sure you are even eligible because you have to pay into Social Security for a certain amount of time because it IS Social Security Disability. In my state-NJ -we have a 6 month temporary disability, which I used for my recovery period. That was very easy because it is allowed for surgery recovery but--I had to be working up to the start of disability. My employer and surgeon filled out the papers. Permanent SS disability kicks in after 6 months of documented permanent disability.
I'm hoping you can find a really good adult scoliosis specialist who has some way to alleviate the pain. Any old "spine specialist"/or orthopedist is not helpful.
Karen

[green m&m]

I've heard almost everyone gets denied the first time...and the second.. ect. Also heard very few people get SSDI approved applying on their own.. most people after multiple denials end up getting a help from an attorney

You need solid medical documentation backing up your reason(s)
for applying for disability, if you don't your chance of being approved is slim.

Have you gotten any treatment for the pain? Pain management?

[bubbles1^]

No I haven't hadn't got any help for my pain through pain managment. I am waiting on to get into a doctor. At University of Louisville where they go by your income since I don't have any medical insurance. The last time that I went to a scoliosis doctor he told me not to go back to work.

[Hornet]

Indeed you should get a lawyer. True, most get denied 1-2xs or more. But it will be worth it in the end. Because pain is a personal experience that can't be medically "proven", it is difficult to convince SSA/doctors of it. In some states, a combined curvature (thoracic+lumbar,etc.) of 85+ deg., warrants an approval. Some states will give you a back dated check from the date of your first application. Most lawyers take 25-33% of this check. Try applying for state medical aid or other services (aid to the needy/disabled,etc.). If you are in pain, can't work & have at least 1 doctor's report stating you can't work, you may qualify. It would help w/medical bills until SSA approves you. If possible, get copies of your x-rays & radiologists reports & ask doctors to view them. Even though they are'nt raiologists, if the curves are severe enough, it should be obvious. SSA will never look at an x-ray, only read the doctors/radiology reports.

[jennlynn]

If you are close to Louisville, have you tried Shriners in that area? (I think it is around Cinci, but not sure exactly) I have seen other posts on here that say they take people w/o insurance, sometimes for free. Good luck!

[LindaRacine]

Shriners only accepts kids up to the age of 18.

--Linda