by RubyUnicorn

Created on: November 07, 2008

This is difficult because I have applied for disability. In some cases I say more and in other cases I say less. The problem is that there are people who have learned well how to defraud the system and thus has made it extremely difficult for those of us who truly are deserving of it. So this is a difficult one to answer. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /

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I do not believe in entitlements and I believe in a capitalistic society. However, those of us who have worked our whole lives have been forced to pay into this via social security and Medicare taxes which I might add, the employer had to match dollar for dollar. This is money that I earned, money that I paid into the fund. There for I feel that those who truly are disabled should receive their money.

I am 45 years old and I have worked since I was 15 years old. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis the week I turned 40. I have been struggling with this debilitating disease for 5 years now. Let me tell you all, this has not been a picnic for me or a walk in the park. I am struggling to make ends meet. Even though I am still working only part time. Let me explain. I have a severely aggressive form of RA which has ravaged my body literally from my head to my toes. This disease is an auto immune disease in which your own immune system thinks that your cartilage is a foreign object or virus and there for attacks it. I have had the RA attacks my jaws, neck, shoulders, collar bone, sternum, elbows, wrists, hands, fingers, hips, knees, ankles, feet, and toes. Both sides have been attacked, and here is the worst part of RA, it also attacks major organs. For instance doctors have been watching an arthritic nodule in my left lung. This disease can also damage your heart. So you see my dilemma. I have exhausted all forms of treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis and I am now in an experimental drug treatment where I travel one hour to receive an IV infusion of this drug once a month. This is an immune suppressant, so guess what, I am now more open to colds, flus, viruses, and so forth. I am literally sick all winter long with sinus infections, colds, and yes flus. I take 13 different medications and get x-rays and blood work often to check my liver enzymes. This experimental drug and some of the other medications I am taking can severely damage my liver. One big factor with RA is fatigue. When I say fatigue, I mean exhaustion and weakness. I also suffer from migraines, I average

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