When do you finally say enough is enough?

Hi KL. I just had my 2nd hearing for Disability (filed in Dec '07) and am still awaiting the verdict (I should hear back next week). As it turned out, my claim may not have been denied if it weren't for Social Security repeatedly failing to get all of the medical files (I couldn't afford to pay for medical copies) as they promised they would. I'm only 34 but have been out of work for nearly 4 years because of my condition worsening. As you'll see from my signature below, I have a multitude of ailments that I've been struggling with. Pain is a constant issue as well as the severe fatigue and chronic illnesses I keep battling. I attempted a SAH job for Pampered Chef but even THAT proved to be too straining.

Age isn't nearly as big of an issue as what's in your medical file that can be "proven". It's a rough go of it if your doctors aren't meticulous about their notes and comments in your medical file but it CAN be done. Your doctor also has to be very willing to support you through the process (in medical charting, letters to Social Security, and carefully filling out Functionality Reports.

My recommendation is, it doesn't hurt to try - as long as you have a support system in place and as long as you don't get your hopes too high. In your case, it may help that you've shown that you already had to demote yourself to a lower paying/less physically demanding position and are still struggling. See if your HR department may be able to provide you with an accurate spreadsheet of how many days/hours you've had to take time off or leave early/go in late. (Though, be wary that this can offer your employer a red flag that they may not have noticed if you don't have a good report with them already!) Good luck!