Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Low Expectations

How's this for a cold splash of water on the face? My lawyer just called about my disability hearing tomorrow.
There are 5 disability judges in Delaware, and we have the 3rd lowest approval rating of all 50 states! He said he can tell by the way the schedule is arranged tomorrow that it will be one of 3 judges. Two of those have approval rates of 20% - that puts them among the lowest 10-15% of all the Social Security judges in the entire nation!! So, I have a 67% chance of getting a judge who almost always says no. Very discouraging! 
The whole process is just so unfair - the mere fact that it relies on which judge you get rather than the merits of your case is just crazy.
Wish me luck - I have a feeling tomorrow will be a difficult day emotionally.

15 comments:

Char said...

Dear Sue, We will say some extra prayers for you tomorrow. Maybe a Christmas miracle is in the making! Char

Never That Easy said...

SO MANY GOOD THOUGHTS coming your way. Fingers triple crossed. (And, remember, in case of stupid judges, that you can appeal, even though I HOPE HOPE HOPE you won't need to.)

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue, I read your blog but have never posted though I have on other ME/cfs that I read. So it's about time I thank you for your wonderful movie and book reviews and insights into this illness. And wish you good luck tomorrow. Leah

Kerry said...

Wishing you good luck for tomorrow. I hope you get the best possible judge.

Toni said...

I'll be thinking of you all day, Sue. I hope hope hope it goes well.

Rambler said...

I am another frequent reader who hasn't commented before but has learned a lot from your blog. Good luck tomorrow! I hate that the disability process is such a crapshoot.

ME CFS Self-help Guru said...

Best of luck! Make sure you believe that it could happen! If a judge senses low expectations they could feel more justified in saying no. Make it hard for them to say no by exuding confidence that you'll get what you need because its the right thing to do!

Sue Jackson said...

Thanks for the kind words and for taking the time to leave a comment, Leah! Nice to "meet" you!

Sue Jackson said...

Thanks for taking the time to comment, Rambler - I appreciate the support!

hkd said...

Thinking of you today Sue - i cant't imagine this judge will come across a more prepared person ! Good luck !

Patrick W. Calvin said...

Well, if you do get it, at least it will be that much sweeter. Hang in there tomorrow. Good luck!

upnorth said...

I'm hoping away for you. It sounds like you've done all you can to prepare so whatever the outcome, it's def. obvious that you deserve it whether or not the crazy system is willing to admit that.

Baffled said...

Hope it went well.

Anonymous said...

Sue, I'm wondering how things went with your hearing. I live in Indiana & have CEBV, HV6, fibromyalgia, & a host of other problems. My specialist suggested I apply for disability. I was denied twice & just hired a disability attorney. I have not worked for 2 yrs & my Dr says I can't & get well. According to my attorney, Indiana is one of the hardest states to get disability in. Sad, I've had CEBV for approx. 30 yrs & have worked while still being sick, taking off as I had to with flares. Now that the flare has been constant, I can't get help. Anyway, I hope your hearing went well. I would like to hear more about it. Thanks!

Sue Jackson said...

I didn't post after my hearing because I won't get an answer for 30 days...just in wait and see mode now. I'll let you know when I hear.

Good luck with your case - I;m glad to hear you hired a lawyer! It really helps to have someone who understands the system.

Sue