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Posted 6/16/2009 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thought I'd share my experience with everyone - and maybe rant a bit. I am on a private insurance policy for disability from my last job and yesterday a guy came to my house to do an interview and update their records. It took a long time - about 2 1/2 hours -  with the usual on-going list of questions about whether you can bend, twist, lift, etc., etc.  He was very nice and considerate, but then at the very end, he pulled out a paper that had a narrative of findings by a private investigator who had investigated me. He proceeded to show me four different videos of me walking the dog, going to a coffee shop and driving down the highway. (They actually had watched the house eight times - about two days a month, but four of those times I did not leave the house.)

I knew they did this kind of thing, but it was shocking and disturbing to know that someone was watching and video taping me and I had no idea. And that it will continue. I'm not doing anything wrong, not trying to hide anything - I've been straight with them, telling  them I can go to the store, shop a little, walk my dog, do yoga, etc., but still... it just really bothers me. I guess they can do this legally, but I feel like I'm on the verge of having a meltdown and telling them what I think of it. It's not enough to deal with this blasted disease that most people don't believe in; you have to put up with this garbage! I hate being on disability!!

Posted 6/16/2009 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
that made my stomach hurt listening to it. WOw I cant believe they watch u!!!1
Posted 6/16/2009 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
I would contact a disability lawyer IMMEDIATELY.

I am so darn sick and tired of this crap. When I went through the "disability" process, I swear there were white vans parked outside of my house ALL OF THE TIME. Once, I blew up my feather comforter.... I had to through it away, feathers were everywhere. I got a great big green garbage bag and dumped it. As I was dragging this bag down my driveway to the trash bin.... I see the white van. All I could think was, "they" think I can carry a great big bag of garbage all the way down my driveway..... but it only contained FEATHERS!  How in the he11 was I going to prove that it was ONLY feathers?????

I AM SO OVER THIS DISEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 6/16/2009 11:04 PM (GMT 0)

deleted - somehow got posted twice.

Posted 6/17/2009 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
i kinda wish they would try this at my home. cause they would mess there pants when i let out my 2 rotties...lol and most of the time its the only time i open my door in the daytime due to i cant handle sunlight. and for the last 3 days i have not gone out my house at all. cant even make it to the mail box 50 feet. i also did not file under lyme disease, but filed under arthiris.

i wish you all the best
Posted 6/18/2009 1:20 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks for the support, everyone. I am calming down a bit. I re-read the statements of the investigation and what I reported as far as my disabilities and the two are in sync so I don't think I'll have a problem in the near future. In October my policy changes to say that I must be 'unable to take any job' (versus right now, it states I can't work at the job I held when I became disabled). So I suspect in October they may deny me further coverage. That's not all bad news as I hope to heck I am well enough by then to get off disability anyway. I've improved a lot in the last six months.

J, the feather bed story is funny if it weren't so true! I know, I have become pretty darn paranoid myself. Now, I look twice at any parked cars on the street... and if I see him (her), there will be a scene in the neighborhood!

Posted 6/18/2009 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
want to borrow my babies...lol
Posted 6/18/2009 12:23 PM (GMT 0)

When you are trying to get Social Security disabilty do they video tape you?  Are they as hard core about investigating?

saxmar

Posted 6/18/2009 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Omg! I think I would have went off. I know they are just doing their job because some people do lie....like my neighbor, but the people that are truly in pain have to suffer.

They wouldn't have seen much at my house. Just a closed door, LOL. Seriously, it only opens when my husband is here or when I let our dogs out.
Posted 6/18/2009 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
Something to keep in mind;

I tried to file for SSD, and discovered that because I have been unable to work outside the home for about 20 yrs - I have NO SS benefits what so ever!! Not even just medical coverage or 'script coverage.

In a way, I feel like society has definitely turned against stay-at-home Moms & Dads.

I hope no one else finds themselves in that position.
Posted 6/18/2009 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
this is why you have to file SSI, you wont get as much but every lil bit helps. or if you was married long enough you can file under them to recive more.

CG. its the same at my home too. i never open my door and when i do its not till after 9:30. after the sun is down. but the only time i am out of going anywere is to the Dr.s and the store. on my good days i check the mail. 1 to 3 times a week. lol
Posted 6/18/2009 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
RD,

I know! I keep my door closed all day. The sun is too bright for me. It hurts my eyes. I'm telling you, I will probably turn into a vampire soon, LOL. It's really sad.

Did you get SSI? How do I go about doing that? I tried disability but they turned me down because "so say" my husband makes too much. All that hard work I did for years. Do they go by your spouces income?
Posted 6/18/2009 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
i am still waiting to find out if i will get it. i also filed for it under arthritis, b4 i knew i had lyme. but yes you can file under your hubbys income.
from what i have heard if you have lyme its not resone enough for disablity. guess it still to new of a disease for them.

yes the sun and lyme does not mix...lol. its why i love my nuero he doesnt do days either. my next appoint with him is at 7:45pm can you belive that...lol
Posted 6/18/2009 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
I may have to try and file. Is SSI and disability two different things?

Omg, your doctor does late visits huh? That would be great for me. Haha!
Posted 6/18/2009 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
pjbat,   How long has your disability company been paying out?  I ask because I have heard many stories that they typically start the surveillance at certain periods (6 months, 1 year, 2 years, etc).    I feel that I am in a similar situation.  I am honest and tell them what I am capable of, but I feel like they will just get 2-3 5 second clips of video showing me "looking" normal. I think the worst thing about Lyme is that every LLMD I have seen (5) all told me exercise is critical to healing and while what I do I hardly consider exercise (.25 mile walk 3-4 times a week or 30 minutes of physical therapy approved weight/stretching routines) I feel like I am going to "get it" from my insurance company.     
Posted 6/19/2009 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
as long as you have documentions from your Dr. you should be fine. even if they tape you they have to submit all not just 2 seconds of a 1 hr vido. and if they try you can request a copy. they have to give it to you or can be rules out
Posted 6/19/2009 11:48 AM (GMT 0)
Does anyone know if they videotape you while you are applying for or receiving Social Security Disability?

saxmar
Posted 6/19/2009 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
i cant say for sure, but i belive they can at either times
Posted 6/20/2009 1:40 AM (GMT 0)

Even when I was very sick (relatively speaking since I know many people get much sicker than I have with this disease), I would force myself out the door most days... walking the dog, buying groceries, errands or just sitting at a coffee shop and drinking a cup of tea. I'm much better now, and can do those things with more ease, but I still can't make it through most days without crashing. I also have a lot of pain but it's not the true show-stopper - the fatigue is. And when I overdo it, the fatigue really catches up with me.

I used to think it would be black and white as to knowing it was time to go back to work, but being in this middle ground where I can do some things but then the fatigue hits and the pain worsens and I have to go to bed... well, I don't know.  If I'm having a good day and push it by walking a little further, jogging a bit or meeting a friend for lunch, and I happen to be videotaped, it doesn't look good.

Posted 6/20/2009 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Chris,  The first time the investigator checked up on me was about one month after they approved my claim. Following that, it was once a month (two consecutive days) through November. Then not again until March. I was shocked that they started the surveillance right away.  I know exactly what you're saying regarding the exercise. My doctors have strongly urged me to exercise also all through this ordeal. And when I didn't exercise for awhile, my muscle tone really dimished fast, so I believe it's critical, even though it sometimes does make me feel worse. Whether it's walking, lifting weights at the gym, or as in Jelaine's case, wrestling the feather bed out to the garbage, it doesn't tell the story if that's what is video-taped. Of the times they sat in front of our house - eight in total, they caught me leaving the house four times; i.e., 50% of the time I was having a bad day and didn't leave the house. By the way, I do have a claim filed for SS disability, and am waiting for a hearing date. However, I really hope to not have to go through with that. I'm finding this whole disability thing to be too stressful to make it worth it... I'm going over our budget with a fine-tooth comb to see if we can make it without it, at least by October, and maybe I can work part-time.
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