After posting a question on a topic "BP & DISABILITY"---& asking a simple, innocent, benign question about
experiences any people had, while applying for Social Scecurity disabilty benefits----I get hit, with a bunch of attacking posts.
I only related the info i gained from: 1) talking to SS Disability atty's & 2) doing searches for info. I'm BP---I've applied for SSD---my financial situation is bad---my wife is staying on her job--when she could be retired & I was looking for support---experiences others could share, so i know what to expect. So, I get attacked---because i state--
1)-a stat i looked up & got in a booklet from my SS atty 40% of first time applicants get denied!!! Because----the SS people feel some applicants can do other work. I----did NOT say that!!! That is the SS position! I don't like it any more than you.
2) The fact that SS uses a "Grid"----to keep the system uniform across the nation---but where---rightly or wrongly---as the atty said---a very important FACTOR...is age---those 55+ are usually granted more leeway. I didn't say that...that's the way it is.
Go ahead--do "searches" on "Age and Social Security Disabilty"....or "Social Security Disability Determination Grid"-----I was stating what is....not what should be.
I was HOPING to hear from some of first hand experiences---so, i knew what to expect!!! Instead..i get attacked, with vemonous words by a group of angry, mean spirited women!!!
Sorry, if any of you take it personally----i was emotionally abused by a BP mother---I'll be da##-ed....if i allow it to happen by other women---now that i'm 59 yrs old!!!
I came to this group for support--help---etc---& after reading attacking post after attacking post---I get more upset....my wife has suggested i just leave. She's usually right on things like this. So, that's what i'll do.
I taught Jr. High & high school for 17 yrs-----& i saw much more civil conduct , behavior, & caring from adolescent boys & girls---than the "attack" mentality here. GO ahead---look at my initial post "Bipolar & SS Disabilty".....one woman gets upset because i use the adjective "fascinating" for the SS disabilty Grid-----OK---is that so bad!!!
Shannon says she got her disability at 37---wonderful---i just said that older age--HELPS your chances---not that it's RIGHT----maybe, Shannon---had you been 55---you would have gotten you disability on your first shot.
Another posts---"Do you speak French?" I HOPE the MODERATOR of this board reads this!!!! Sarcasm, anger, ad hominen attacks...have no place on a supposed "support" group.
Yes, I'm upset!! I have a RIGHT to be upset at an assault on me---just as some of you get upset...at the "system"---again--I did not make the rules--i was just quoting what i had found out---AND...was only looking for.........some FIRST HAND ACCOUNTS---Time it took, approval on 1st or 2nd try---etc-----so, i could be prepared.
This is not the way to conduct a support group! This is not the way to keep people on board. I ALWAYS taught my students---to treat others...as we would like to be treated---with courtesy & respect....& others would return in kind.
This is my second bad experience here---my earlier post--i had humorously mentioned my therapist was attractive.....& I got pummeled....So------after THIS one---where i was ASKING FOR HELP--FOR INFO-----& i get inexplicably attacked-----I AM OUTTA HERE!!!
I wish it could have turned out differently---i must say there were 2 or 3 people in this group who e-mailed me privately & have been most kind.
I wish you all well---& i sincerely mean that---BP is no fun----& i don't like having it---& i don't like being attacked & abused. 
Sincerely--Robert H.