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Epilepsy and Disability
Tue, 11/21/2006 - 04:16Does a person with epilepsy qualify for any type of disability assistance? Although I am on medication and it helps, it still does not control the seizures and since I live in a small town, no one wants to hire me and everybody knows about my seizures becausr they have happened on varoius jobs in the past. I am pretty much starving and could really use some assistance from the Gov. I am not sure what is available to people who suffer from E and just thought I would ask you guys.
Douglas
Comments
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Epilepsy and Disability
Submitted by Stratovarius65 on Thu, 2006-11-23 - 19:53
I feel you Gina, what is causing your seizures (just curious)? I am just now getting involved in the gov assistance deal, but it seems to be red tape and one hell of a long reel at that. I know there is a lot of controversy surrounding epilepsy and disability because of the many anti-convulsant meds available ... all I can say is "don't belive the hype", living with this sucks and does for some people make it nearly impossible to work on any consistant basis. It has hindered me quite a bit over the years, but not until this past year has it put me out of work and in a hole finiancially which is quickly turning into quicksand. I hope 2007 will be a better year for me and you too! Happy Thanksgiving to you Gina and to all the rest of you as well.
Douglas
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Epilepsy and Disability
Submitted by wflisa on Thu, 2006-11-23 - 20:08
Hi Douglas (& Gina)
I have applied twice for Disability and been denied twice. I DO live in a major metro area and have a legal firm helping me. However, the gov (SSA) has decided that I am just fine because my seizures do not happen very often.
Yea, well tell it to the Marines.
I would advise one or two things. Yes it is possible to start your own business and still receive SSI, but there is a limit on how much you can make and still receive disability. As for any kind of "quick" financial help, I hesitate to suggest this, but it may work out. Write, call or email your local state senator or representative and tell them the situation you are in and ask if they would be able to help. Heck if other people in less life threatening situations can go to the media and get $$ help, we should be able to also.
Good luck. And know that, while we are all in the same boat, we are working together to make life better for all of us.
Lisa
Re: Re: Re: Re: Epilepsy and Disability
Submitted by Gina Marie on Thu, 2006-11-23 - 19:47
My father has been pushing for me to go on ssi for the last month. Very vocally pushing in fact. I can't telecommute or telework because I can't use a computer for more than half hour at a time without ending up seizing. I'm working on starting my own business but it takes time, my partners and I will be lucky to be up and fully running by March. Can you be a partner in a business and still get SSI? I'm thinking no. Can you be on SSI for only a few months? That would be nice, I'm on state medicaid for insurance but that's it. Finding and keeping a job is getting difficult, and it's focused around the seizures. I've had four jobs in the last year. Stress, lights, computers, driving, all reasons I couldn't keep it. I'm actually afraid to ask my neurologist if he'd support me trying for SSI. Because I'm young and otherwise healthy, in my mind there's no reason why I shouldn't be working. That's the frustrating part. I have no idea why I'm writing this to you, but the original post and your response was so inline with what I was thinking of that I had to respond. Continued success with your business.