<<FM-CFS Canada, Canadian lawyers, and law students are reviewing FM & ME/CFS cases in Canada. We're observing what does and doesn't work, patterns,
judge histories, and more. We're doing this strategic review so your lawyer
doesn't have to; so each lawyer doesn't have to reinvent the wheel. It's
free.>>
According to my lawyer (who is pretty well connected), no one in the US is doing anything similar.
We each need to put out some feelers in our own communities to get some qualified volunteers to do this, so that we can have a nationwide database.
Of course, I'm personally most interested in the judge histories, since documentation and statistics proving that my judge has never approved benefits for anyone under age 55 for any reason would not only give me one more ground for appeal, but also increase the possibility of having him removed from the bench for prejudice, thus benefitting hundreds of other applicants each year who have expert testimony that they are unable to work, and the judge ignoring anything other than your age in making his decision.
1 comment:
In 1990, CFS and FMS were both declared disabling conditions by the CDC. I applied for disability prior to this and was approved after the initial rejection. I believe the letter my doctor wrote was a big factor in my approval. The initial denial is fairly common. I believe that it was due to the person who was reviewing my case. He, later, reviewed my case as I was reviewed 7 years later.
Of the group of us reviewed about the same time, I was in the poorest condition. I was housebound, unable to walk, barely had a voice, and spent most of my time in bed. I was the only one of the group sent to a doctor for the review. (Opinion based on case manager) Of course, I had no problem staying on disability. One would have thought I would not had to be reviewed by a doctor as my condition was so poor. My thought is the case mgr probably could not imagine the effects of this illness.
Getting back to initially getting approved for Federal disability, I have not met anyone in California (with CFS or FMS) who was not approved. Most had to go before a judge. Once interviewed in person, it is quite evident how disabled we are. Sorry to hear you had a judge that was so unfair. Did you know you could appeal his decision and go before another judge? Most judges are not like him.
I often have wondered why anyone would think that being on disability is what we want. We can make much more money working and have the satisfaction of a rewarding career. I
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