Lost My Job and Doubting Myself

[BonesMS]

Thanks, Ami.

I'm sure more questions will come.

Bones

[BonesMS]

I'm also questioning my employability, especially given the current economic situation and my physical health issues.  I just don't know what to do.

Bones

[Hopalong]

Bones,
What do the disability bureaucrats say?

Do they turn you down flat, or turn you away "until you have a diagnosis?"

Meanwhile...have you checked with every agency possible?

I'm so sorry. You sound desperate and I hurt to hear it.

If it would help to brainstorm, I'll try to help.
I wish I knew more about the system.

You are cared for and you MATTER, even though it may not feel that way day to day...

love,
Hops

[BonesMS]

Bones,
What do the disability bureaucrats say?

Do they turn you down flat, or turn you away "until you have a diagnosis?"

Meanwhile...have you checked with every agency possible?

I'm so sorry. You sound desperate and I hurt to hear it.

If it would help to brainstorm, I'll try to help.
I wish I knew more about the system.

You are cared for and you MATTER, even though it may not feel that way day to day...

love,
Hops

Thanks, Hops.

The appointment I was supposed to have last week was canceled, at the last minute, by them.  I was informed that the counselor will be unavailable until further notice.  I have no idea what is going on with them.  I've applied for SSI and SSDI only to be informed that I cannot qualify because I have not worked long enough under the Social Security System before becoming disabled.  I'm too young to apply for regular Social Security.  I've checked into Medicare and Medicaid only to learn that I cannot qualify for Medicare because I'm too young and cannot qualify for Medicaid because I am not completely destitute and homeless.  (I remember the hassle I had to go through while NWomb-Donor was in a nursing home and my having to deal with Medicare and Medicaid to pay for her care.  There was NO way I could afford to pay for the nursing home out of my own pocket.) 

After setting up job search agents, plus sending out resumes and filling out job applications, I've run out of ideas.

Bones

[Hopalong]

What about Legal Aid?

If you are being denied any rights you're due, could a Legal Aid attorney review the situation and advise you?

Hops

[BonesMS]

What about Legal Aid?

If you are being denied any rights you're due, could a Legal Aid attorney review the situation and advise you?

Hops

I've also done that as well.  The lawyer told me that these policies are set in stone and no exceptions can be made.

Bones

[Ami]

((((((Bones))))))))                      I am so sorry you are going through this !           Ami

[BonesMS]

((((((Bones))))))))                      I am so sorry you are going through this !           Ami

Thanks, Ami.

Bones

[BonesMS]

I recently had another appointment with Voc. Rehab. where I was required to attend a workshop.  Turns out I was the OLDEST person in the room!     There were only two other clients with me so it was a very small workshop regarding employment.  However, this workshop covered only the basics, which I was already doing...i.e. networking, what to write in your resume', what NOT to write in your resume', how to write a cover letter, etc.  (I wish the workshop included stuff I didn't know.  Sigh!)

At the end of the workshop, I spoke privately with the voc. rehab. employee, gave him a brief overview of my situation, and asked for any brainstorming ideas.  He basically confirmed what I already knew.....age discrimination happens, but I can't prove it.  On top of that, because I have a Master's degree but lost my last job due to health related issues, the combination of (1) being over a certain age, (b) having chronic health issues, and (c) being "over-educated" makes me unemployable, especially in this economy.  Whatever jobs are currently available....I'm overqualified for.  He referred me back to my voc. rehab. counselor to explore the possibility of self-employment.  As soon as I got home, I sent her an e-mail because she had already left the office by the time the workshop ended.  I haven't heard any response from her yet.

Bones

[Ami]

(((((( Bones)))))  I wish I could say s/thing helpful  I have no words. I am sorry you are going through this.     Ami

[BonesMS]

Thanks.

I still have not heard anything yet from Voc. Rehab.  If there is still no word by Wednesday, I plan to send the counselor another e-mail.

Bones

[Hopalong]

I'm sending hopes and wishes and parachutes, Bones.

It's devastating to run into those realities.

love to you,

Hops

[BonesMS]

Thanks, Hops.

Bones

[ann3]

Hi Bones,

Thought this mite be of interest to you.  Maybe now, more people will understand.  I hope so.

xoxo,
ann



http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/04/health/04aspe.html?em

August 4, 2009

Asperger’s Syndrome, on Screen and in Life

By NEIL AMDUR

The three new movies would seem to have little in common: a romantic comedy about Upper West Side singles, a biopic about a noted animal science professor, and an animated film about an extended pen-pal relationship.

But all three revolve around Asperger’s syndrome, the complex and mysterious neurological disorder linked to autism. Their nearly simultaneous appearance — two open this summer, and the third is planned for next year — underscores how much Asperger’s and high-functioning autism have expanded in the public consciousness since Dustin Hoffman’s portrayal of an autistic savant in “Rain Man” 21 years ago


* * * * *

Ms. Simone, 45, who lives in upstate New York, was dating someone with Asperger’s several years ago when she learned that she, too, had the disorder. In an interview, she said she had just completed a second book, “Working With Asperger’s,” which she said she hoped would help people with the syndrome in the workplace. And she has begun researching a third about Asperger’s and females, a subject that she says is underreported and misunderstood. While four times as many boys as girls get the diagnosis, she said, “I’m absolutely certain that’s incorrect.”

Mr. Kaufman, of DisabilityWorks, said people were becoming more tolerant of Asperger’s “because it is front and center.”

[BonesMS]

Thanks, Ann3!!

Bones