Pride is a terrible thing

By Jeff L Monday, August 31, 2009

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I've been having a really rough summer. My pain levels have been worse than usual and my sleep has been almost non-existent. My union rep told me to look into long term disability, but my healthcare provider told me to find another Dr. because she will not help or approve of ANYONE going on long-term disability - and a middle class, 39 year old white male like myself is just too prone to serious depression and risk of suicide if put on long-term disability anyway.

Driving is scary because my prescriptions give me occasional double vision, dizziness and vertigo.

I am really scared of the financial problems that would arise from going on disability. My pay would be cut by one third and my health care premiums would change from $144 a month to $500 a month. Paying my mortgage, car payments, student loans, etc would be impossible on only two thirds of my pay.

A teacher in my corporation just got a DUI for driving on prescription drugs.

I have been keeping my father informed of all this going on via email. Even though he lives about 7 hours away, I haven't seen him almost 10 years. He suddenly called and said he wanted to come visit to check on me. He was worried about me.

He showed up Friday night and stayed until Sunday morning. We went to dinner, barbecued on Saturday and just hung out and had a good time catching up.

I put such a good face on it that when he left he said that he was glad I was alright and that I had a good handle on things. I got the impression that he had expected to see me at death's door when he arrived... When he left, I took my painkillers and crawled to bed. I spent the weekend hiding my pain and doing more than I should have.

Pride is a terrible thing.

How addictive is Tramadol ?

Comments (33) | Add comment

starflake

8/31/09 5:03am

Good Day Jeff,I'm not so sure that pride is such a terrible thing,although I can relate to how "we" want to appear okay to our loved ones, I have to ask WHY? it is what it is, and there's a lot to be said for accepting it and movin along within our limitations. I now need to comment on your reply of your dread of "disability" been there , and the STIGMA sucks,but I do believe a lot of that is in our heads, as for the DR. that won't help with disability, I find that truly an offense to all of the chronic pain patients that are TRULY disabled,I'm not pleased w/ my situation,in fact I'm down right pissed off, but I'm a disabled person due to MY pain, no one can fully feel what we're going through,nor can they understand the complexities(there's a gazillion) but learning to cope to the best of our limited capabilities is what I strive for.I must also tell you that there is a definitive test for Fibro called the "tender points" a QUALIFIED Dr. checks 19 specific points on your body, and if 11 or more of those points respond with pain it's then deemed Fibro. As for the finance situation,man oh man do I know about that,I can only tell you that there is always and I mean always a way to deal with things,although we get use to doing things in a certain way and tend to believe that it's the only way. Sorry to have posted such a LONG piece felt compelled,I wish you a low pain day,Starflake

Jeff L

8/31/09 6:09am

Hi Starflake, thanks for the response.

It's kinda funny to actually face the fact that the stigma of disability may be greater than my fear of financial ruin... I have a lot of bills and paying child support for my 5 children (yes, all with the same woman) is at the top of my list. I guess it doesn't help that my ex is one of those people that believe if you are not spouting blood, there is nothing wrong with you. We were married 17 years. Her response to my problems varies from outright disbelief to just mocking me... Makes things very tough, especially because she drags the kids into it and guilt trips me. If I end up on long-term disability, my pay drops and her child support will drop. Even though she married her rich boss and spent her summer buying horses, a drop in her support payments will be met with fury.

My VA provider did the tender point test but apparently in the VA medical system, that is not enough for the "official" diagnosis. She did put me on, what I found on the internet to be, the usual meds for fibro: Tramadol (Ultram), Gabapentin, Flexeril, and Vicodin.

I am frustrated with the care I've been getting in the VA system, but the civilian world has been just as bad.

I went to my family doctor and, after telling him what was going with in the VA docs, he said, without any kind of examination, "You don't have fibro. You need stop taking the painkillers and just take an anti-inflammatory." I told him I can't take those anymore because I was prescribed them for so many years my stomach bled. He said he could also prescribe me a pill that would keep the anti-inflammatory from inflaming my stomach... Just can't seem to find the right doc to help me.

And you thought your post was long... Not being able to sleep gives me more time to type I guess =] Sorry I tend to vent and ramble.

May your day be as painless as possible

Jeff

starflake

8/31/09 5:11pm

Hello Jeff, Well I've just spent the better portion of my day with my neurologist,and 2 of his YOUNG students,it was an overall very productive and illuminating visit. The Dr.I was with is terribly smart and he listens (although he multi tasks) and the result of his listening is my scheduling a hospital stay to get bupivacaine injections through a catheter line that will be run in and up my back to the designated brachial trouble spot,X-ray tecnology will assist in the proper injection site,scary! I'm so tired of living with this ongoing unrelenting pain in sooo many parts of my body that I'm on a mission to get some things under control if it's within my power,and apparently I have a wonderfully competent crew of Docs,so I'm gonna roll with at least trying to get some things taken care of albeit it may only be a temporary fix,I'll take it. I agree that you should try to find another Dr. and I KNOW how hard that is but once you get the right fit all things seem better,and some times it takes more than 1 Dr. to recognize all of the systems that are out of the norm,and dealing with the V.A. has got to be so screwed, but I plead with you to keep trying and think of yourself and damned the bills,opinions,guilt tripping and all of the other crap that holds you back from being a WELL HUMAN BEING,it's a battle my friend and we can fight! Sincerely Starflake

lorreann

9/ 4/09 3:22am

Jeff,

You definitely have a gift for writing. You put in words in such a descriptive way what we all are feeling-hiding the pain, fears of not being able to provide for ourselves, etc. If you did go on disability there must be ways for you to fill in the gap writing, or other home business ideas. You are definitly gifted at writing. I don't think you were describing pride-you were describing your illness-and not looking ill is just one of the symptoms. It is just not possible to show the bad side of this without appearing whiny and weak. And it still doesn't help, so we just withdraw into ourselves, and at least for me, just avoid people that are critical or don't understand. Good luck-and keep writing!!

starflake

9/ 4/09 5:20am

Good day to you, I think I received the reply to "pride &pain" by mistake, my e-mail alerted me,but the greeting is to Jeff,my monicker on the chronic pain network is "Starflake" so if somehow I did something that made it appear that my REPLY to Jeff was actually Jeff I apologize,I'm not good at the computer thingy,but I keep working at it anyway, your comment on how we hide our pain is sooo completely acurate and sad especially when we withdraw as to have some place to not have to BE OKAY, be as well as you can, I wish you a low pain day,Starflake

Jeff L

9/ 6/09 12:19am

Thanks lorreann, I finally get a chance to put my English degree to work=] I don't teach English anymore, but I do miss the lit and the writing. Looks like I might get the chance to write that novel I always wanted to do.

Been reading Baudelaire again lately - I should probably stay away from that dark stuff, though it suits my recent mood:

... I'm the vampire of my own heart
- One of those utter derelicts
Condemned to eternal laughter,
But who can no longer smile!

from ~ The Man Who Tortures Himself

...Ceaselessly by my side moves the Demon
He swims around me like impalpable air
I swallow and feel it burn my lungs
And fill them with eternal desire and guilt

An alternate translation from ~Destruction

Saw a movie called Immortal. Had several quotes from Baudelaire in it - sometimes I forget how powerful poetry can be when you hear it read aloud.

You are right, it is hard to try to explain to people what you are going through without appearing whiny or weak - at least in my eyes. It doesn't help that I am kind of a big muscular guy. I might break the nose of the next person that tells me I don't "look disabled." I have a disability plate (it's a DAV plate), but am embarrassed to park in the handicap spots unless I am REALLY hurting. I have had people stop and make comments about my parking in a handicapped spot. I don't usually respond well. I've taken to just telling them they don't look like idiots, but...

I've been hiding out at home the last couple days just avoiding everything and everyone instead of enjoying a long weekend. All this stuff has really had me down.

I think I'll go fishing tomorrow. Try to clear my head.

Jeff

Jeff L

9/ 6/09 12:41am

Starflake, I am so glad to hear that you had a good dr. visit. I hope the procedure is what you need to get relief. It does sound scary, but it sounds like you have faith in the guys you are seeing and that they are good. Will you be doing this soon? I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

I've been very down lately with all the stuff going on, but the replies to my last post really made my day.

It is very humbling to read the posts from everyone here. I have not had such serious problems like you and so many of the others. I probably shouldn't feel this way, but I feel like my problems are nothing compared to the others here and the people I see at the VA hospital. My feet, ankles, knees, legs hurt, but at least I have them. There are so many vets that don't. I feel I got off easy compared to so many others. I feel guilty just walking down the halls at the VA hospital. I saw a great sign. It said that, "The price of freedom is evident in these halls."

Thanks for the reply, starflake. And helping me fight.

lorreann

9/ 6/09 3:07pm

If someone tells you that you don't look disabled just tell them they don't look like an idiot either. As for the stares about the handicapped plate-I understand since I still circle around the parking lot until someone leaves because I'm too proud to get one. But REALLY! why do we care what "THEY" think. After all, "THEY" don't even think we look sick!! What do "THEY" know.

Griff1950

9/ 3/09 9:08pm

Jeff, it's hard to keep pride from interfering with the way we present ourselves. I even find myself telling my doc that I've been doing OK, even when that is far from the truth. Most of my pain comes from DJD, movement of nearly any kind is painful. My disability stems from hereditary heart disease, and I worked for at least 2 years past the time I could have taken disability because I didn't want the stigma of disability. I also worry about being ticketed for DUI, but don't know what to do about it.

laughingwaters

9/ 4/09 1:02pm

I totally sympathesize with your pain. I have degenerative disc disease, osteo-arthritis, Fibromyalgia, CFIDS, scoliosis and spinal stenosis. I live with pain on a DAILEY basis. I had to quit work, give up a lot of things..not a home, fortunately. But what BILLS I had becamse unsurmountable. And I am on anti depressants and which at one time I wanted to commit suicide until the doctors found the right anti depressant.

I finally won my MEDICARE DISABILITY...whick took a long long time. But did have the right attorney. I AM UNABLE to work now. I cannot take pain medications orally because they hurt my stomach. I am not able to do narcotics either in an intrathecal drip or orally. I do have a non-narcotic patch that I am trying now....hoping to quell somed of my pain. I cannot walk more then a few feet right now. And am hoping to be able to walk a little more with the patches. But not so sure about them. I have had epidural coddles that my body rejects. Have had 5 spinal fusions and I am almost like a ROBOT .

I had to make concessions in my life that I did not want to do. I was a gym instructor, rode horses, and very active ...down to nothing. I was a major move to let go of all the things in LIFE I do enjoy or rather did.

Commiting suicide is only going to mafnify your problems on the other side. And think of all those people you would hurt that you would leave behind.

I also have a NEURO ELECTRONIC stimulator that does not work at all and the doctors cannot remove it because removing the paddle would be very dangerous and they had to do a lamenectomy and put a hole in my vertebrae to see the paddle conductor.

It was put in wrong.

Just know you are not alone... you need to go for your disability before you lose out all together with the new health reform package that is looming.

My parents never cared one way or another where I hurt or not. So, I did not have to worry about putting on the ritz around them. If they did not like it because I hurt...some of it came from when I was a child and thrown down the basement stairs, and tossed out of a pick up truck and beaten profusely almost every day.

Blessings

Faith

Jeff L

9/ 5/09 11:45pm

I just logged on tonight after spending a few days pouting, sulking, something or other...

I didn't expect to see all these responses. Thank you everyone for the advice and encouragement. I need it.

I'm going to just hit "reply" to the last one and hope everyone sees my recap of the last couple days of dr. visits. If anyone other than laughingwaters sees it, please let me know - or I guess I could copy and paste to everyone... I type a bit slowly and it takes forever to get my thoughts down sometimes.

I spent a couple days at the Indy VA hospital. They injected my ankle with the steroid/painkiller combo, in a different spot this time. I've had broken bones that hurt less. I would've used crutches if I had them. Two days of excruciating pain. They said that happens sometimes... Oddly enough, today it feels better than it has in a long time.

I had my follow up for the spinal facet injections. I told them that my back now hurts worse than ever, and the pain radiates down my legs to my knees - and my feet tingle, but no pain between knees and feet. Weird, huh?

I was told that my reaction to the shots is not uncommon. Just bad luck, I guess. I can actually feel one of my lumbar vertebra move. I get a grind and a click. The MRI shows I have Grade I Spondylytic Spondylolithesis - One vertebra has moved forward 25% I had to go look that up. Sounds like some made up words, but ok.

They did a couple x-rays to see if the vertebra moves when I do, but they said it is stable. I told them I could feel it move and offered to do it for the x-rays, but they said no, if you stand like this, then bend like this we'll see it... They didn't see it.

I also talked to the patient advocate about not getting anything before the injections. All that did was probably just alienate my providers. When I made the complaint, the advocate called the pain clinic and told them what I said, then asked if I was denied painkillers or anything before the procedure. They said I was never offered anything nor refused anything and that there was an anesthesiologist there... waste of time and probably destroyed any relationship I might have with them. But I did get to look them right in the eye and speak my mind about it at the appointment. Cathartic? Definitely. Helpful? Not likely.

This is turning into a huge post, so I will cut it short here and write more later.

Laughingwaters, sorry to hear that your pain goes beyond the physical. There is no excuse for abusing a child, or adult for that matter. I hope that that behavior is no longer a part of your life, and that this finds you well.

Jeff

Jeff L

9/ 6/09 12:57am

They mentioned the possibility of a spinal fusion the other day at the hospital. It would be my last lumbar vertebra, I guess. Could you tell me about your experiences with it? Like what recovery was like and how long that took and what kind of relief you got? Any restrictions of motion or activities?

Thanks

Jeff

Faith

9/ 6/09 1:13am

So much compassion do I have for you, Jeff. What a painful situation you have with your spine. I just plain think you have Degenerative Disc Disease which, in itself, is very ,very painful. I cannot even pronounce what the doctors told you that you have..My goodness how PAINFUL that must be. I could NEVER had an injection without anesthesia. I would come off the surgery table. I am not well and WANT to be.As YOU. The injections they tried to give me did not work. I am NOW on a pain patch, but that seems to not work 100%. I can rest a little more at night..but the patches have to be changed every 12 hours and I have to have a second person change them for me. What a pit. The patches are called Flector. The pain doc said "You are a hard one to treat, girl" hummmmmm...I KNEW that. Please KNOW that I am thinking of you and wellness thoughts go out to you every second. At least we are blessed with two eyes to see, a brain, and two hands and feet. GOD BLESS.

Write anytime you feel the pain coming on..IT DOES HELP.

Your "IN PAIN" bud

Faith

PS Not sure about the PRIDE...I think when we hurt so much, we do not want to burden OTHERS...but it comes to a point where we really cannot hide it. The ones who CARE the most can SEE it in our faces. And the Pain has aged me years before my time.

Faith

9/ 6/09 1:19am

Over the years I had many epidurals. And they all helped. But ONE DAY they did not help. This last series I agreed to do was in a desperate attempt to try "ONE MORE TIME" but they did not work. The body will accept so many steroids and then it just turns off and becomes immune. But if you have never HAD the injections, they may very well help you..and for a long period of time. Discuss it fully with your pain care provider.

Your "IN PAIN BUD"

Faithy

9/ 6/09 1:22am

I am half asleep...lol. You meant FUSION. I have had two. The first one really helped.

The second one, which was 8 years later, did not help. It was merely a repair so I would not be paralyzed. But, the first fusion provided me with 4 years of 100% relief.

Until my car wreck and then it was all down hill after that. I hope I have been helpful.

So much has really happened to my spine ...and I KNOW you have been in dire straights with yours...write any time, as I say

Jeff L

9/ 6/09 1:34am

Thanks Faith! If you are still awake, I've got a couple more questions.

Just worried about the down-time and what recovery was like because I live alone and if the aftermath of a fusion was something where I had to be taken care of, that would be a big problem.

Thanks

Jeff

Faithy

9/ 6/09 1:54am

Hi, Jeff...in my position, I had no one at the time to take direct care of me as my spouse had to work and I really needed dailey care. So the doctor ordered a rehab

place for me at Providence Hospital in Everett, WA. I was there for ten days. I really had to learn how to walk again, and how to do simple daily chores so I would not damage my fusion. Even though they were in solid. I had 8 stainless steel rods.

But now they do things so much differently. And the medical profession tries to do other procedures other then fusion if they can. Fusion is a last resort and in my case I had to have it. And thought it was all over until 2007 and had to have two more. As a reparative surgery. I KNOW I am looking at another some kind of surgery, but I cannot have any more fusions. I will prolong any kind of surgery. Have had way too many.

I will try to answer all the questions you have. But, mostly , yes, you do need care, and you just tell the doctors ahead of time so you can be assured your transition from the hospital to rehab will be a smooth one. Sometimes there are just no other answers BUT surgery. But just make an informed decision and get a couple other opinions, too.

I had my surgeries at Swedish Hospital in Seattle so I was really in good hand. Ny down time was about 6 months with the first fusion. About 2 months with the second one. But once you are beyond the stage where you have to have any kind of lab work, and constant bp checks, and you have decided that you can go home, make sure they DO send HOME HEALTH CARE to your home to make sure you are doing ok and that you are able to do the things you need to get back into your dailey routine.

You will not be able to take a bath/shower for a while so that would be uncomfortable. As long as you have stitches. But when they are out you can. Make sure you have a slip proof tub or shower. They will give you a grip to help you reach for things. And they will warn you not to bend over for a certain period of time or to not life more then five pounds for a certain amount of time. It is all worth it in order to get well. And just so you will know..I had very little pain AFTER my surgeries. At least not LIKE the pain before. As far as recovery.

Your "IN PAIN FRIEND"

Faithy

Jeff L

9/ 6/09 2:27am

Wow. Months of recovery time... This is scary. I don't know if the VA has any kind of care program I could get. I have to drive 3 hours just to get to the Indy VA hospital for my appointments. I'll have to see if they would allow me to go through a local doc.

My biggest fear is probably that every time they so much as stick me with a needle, there seems to be long lasting pain problems. What will surgery do to me? The VA has screwed up just about every procedure they tried on me. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fibromyalgia...

I will definitely do my homework on this.

Thanks for all the info. I really appreciate it. I gotta get out from in front of this computer for a bit - bad typing posture I guess. Going to see if I can stretch my back out. Hope to keep in touch

Jeff

Faithy

9/ 6/09 1:18pm

Fibromyalgia can be a nasty critter. One doesn't die with it but it FEELS like one could.

It is sometimes very painful. Your spinal issues can make your symptoms of the Fibro WORSE. Do you work at all? I read your bios at the beginning and it says you currently teach? Do you have any kind of insurance through that? But, do talk to your VA health care options nurse and see what IS available. It sounds as if you really really need this surgery. But are worried about the care afterwards. You might be surprised. The VA may just very well keep you until you are able to function on your own. Near where I live, there IS a long term care facility for rehab. Through the VA. If there is a Veteran's home in your area, you may well want to discuss what kinds of care they give, etc. I know there is help. But the Health Care nurse at your VA hospital would be the best bet to give you advice. I KNOW and will pray that you will have help.

I would not worry either about what other feel or say about your disability.

And I did read that you have a disability plate which means you have the right to get care. So are you on MEDICARE at all? like I am MEDICARE DISABILITY. It actually is no one business why you have that placard. What bugs ME is people who 'hop' out of their cars and practically RUN into the store. And I KNOW people who do use the disabled parking and I KNOW them personally and they laugh and say "I hate to walk all the way to the store door, so I use my Dad's or brother's or whoevers, placard" My brother and his girlfriend use my Mother's car...she has a disability plate...and they are constantly parking in the HC spots. I have yet to have the opportunity to turn them in. And I will. You just hold your head HIGH. NO ONE knows what goes on inside your body. Let them bark! I don't care. I am a person who does not let the 'stigma' of being disabled bother me. I earned my stripes and I think you have too, as well as all the other posters here. It is time to stand up and speak out. http://www.adanet.org/ Go to this address. If it does not show up...google ADA or put in Americans with Disabilities.

I will never give up. I will fight for my rights as a private citizen with all the rights of a person who has ZERO disabilities. Actually it is those who gripe and complain about that person parking in the disabled parking spot that has the disability. Those who do NOT understand.

Don't put off taking action for your cause. Get help. Have your surgery. But do your homework. You will not be sorry. We are our own best advocate.

Your "IN PAIN" friend

Faithy

Keep in touch

Faithy

9/ 6/09 1:22pm

I meant to say that my brother and his girlfriend USE my Mother's car..and she sits at home....they just take advantage of her disability plates. Sorry...sometimes I get ahead of my self. That is the FIBRO fog. Faith

reruho

9/26/09 12:27am

Faith,

Your brother and his girlfriend are putting your mother in danger of losing her tag. I would tell her this. I am not sure if she could be barred from getting another one, you would have to check the rules in your state.

In Florida, we have volunteer monitors that can ticket ($250) you for using someones tag the first time, the next time she would lose the tag along with a $250 ticket for that individual using it. The tag has the driver license number of the individual it is issued to so it is very easy to check it.

Reta

Faithy

9/26/09 12:33am

Hi, Reta...my Mother does not even drive anymore. I have told her about this before and she just goes in to denial. It is a sad situation. Thanks for caring, Reta....Faithy

reruho

9/26/09 1:17am

Faith,

Try printing off the rules and highlight things like the possible fines and the rules on misuse. She can't go into denial if it is in writing. I know it is very sad, I have a dificult father that will not listen, either.

I tried to get my Dad to bring my mother's tag with us this summer as be traveled crosscountry in a RV. His comment was, "How many handicapped RV parking spots do you see?" I mentioned the tag when we were traveling at one resturant,said they could have parked much closer with the tag. We had to park behind the building and up a hill. I let them use my car when they got here at my home, it would have been to have for my mother with the bad back.

Reta

Faithy

9/26/09 10:24am

My Mother is such a case, Rita. She has such wrath. My brother is perfect.

I don't think she CARES. But if you will give me the site where I would go to find

the rule, I will print them out. I am really in disarray about this whole thing, because brother and his gf have taken my Mothers beautiful BUICK and destroyed it. The GF drives it drunk...and there are dents all over it. One night she even had to come pick me up at the air port...we were almost hit by a semi. NOT GOOD. Things like this make my Fibromyalgia flare big. Then I go into a FOG and then I don't care.

SAD

Thanks for caring

Faithy

reruho

9/26/09 11:05pm

Faith,

I hope this will help. I was doing some research and found this website with links to every state to download an application. Check out your state and look for a FAQ section.

http://arthritis.about.com/od/driving/a/handicapparking.htm

The rules in Florida have changed. The Florida website had FAQ section and this is what they said in about improper use of handicapped tags.

What will be done if someone uses a family members' permit or person uses a permit that does not belong to them?

Anyone who obtains or uses a permit that does not belong to them can be charged with a second degree misdemeanor - $1000 fine or up to 6 months in jail. Improper use of the permit is now twice the fee of a disabled parking violation. This should deter people from loaning their permits to family members. It does not matter if you are running an errand for the person with a disability. If the person with a disability is not present -- the fine is $1000.

Reta

Faithy

9/26/09 11:13pm

Thanks, Reta....duly noted.My Mother is too old to care, and she does not care, and my brother deserves the fine. sorry.....that is my opinion Hugs..Faithy

reruho

9/28/09 1:04am

Faith,

Try warning them, then turn them in. Your mother letting them use her tags only creates problems for the rest of us. I know it sounds cold and heartless, but life isn't fair either. We have rules and laws for a reason.

Reta

Faithy

9/28/09 1:16am

You are so right. We do have laws for a reason. Thanks..Hugs...Faithy

delanolady

9/19/09 7:56pm

I have fibromyalgia and was unable to keep on teaching in the public school system. You should be getting statements from social security about how much you would make on disability. Check about your retirement funding through your school system. You may be able to swing this. I was.

Jeff L

9/19/09 11:13pm

delanolady,

The school corps long-term disability plan pays 2 thirds of my salary and no medical benefits. I have been teaching less than ten years - with only 3 years in this corp. Not sure what retirement payments would be, but I bet it's not much.

Social Security is another option, but everything I've seen and heard says it can take years, even with an attorney helping.

With the mortgage, bills and child support I pay, the pay cut would kill me financially. If I sell my house and car, I could get by.

I will be looking into everything I can think of. Any other suggestions out there?

Sorry, the future just doesn't seem so bright right now.

Faith

9/28/09 1:19am

Hi, Jeff..been keeping track of you, too. It did take me a long time to get my disability..HOWEVER. Once I hired an attorney, it took me about 8 months to a year.

Don't mess around. Get that attorney. Are you not old enough for MEDICARE?

I do have that set in place now. But things are changing ....I am having to purchase a different co pay insurance now...as my copay options are dwindling and will change by January 2010

Good luck...Hugs.

Faithy

reruho

9/28/09 2:12am

Jeff,

It may be time to see a disability lawyer about this issue.

Are you medically retired from the military? I would look into getting your disabilty rating increased.

You may need to go to court and see about getting your child support payments reduced.

Be advice is talk to a lawyer to make sure you don't get screwed by the system. Good luck.

Reta

Jeff L

9/28/09 7:20pm

Hi Faithy,

I'm 39 and only have a few years of teaching. The school corp will give me two thirds of my pay in accordance with my long-term disability insurance. They supposedly then work to get me on Social Security. Since the insurance co. has to pay me until I get Social Security, they are good and motivated.

Jeff

Pride is a terrible thing

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