by Michelle Paszkowski

Created on: January 28, 2010   Last Updated: January 29, 2010

   Social security disability is one of many systems that I believe need a complete overhaul. For years I questioned the disability system, and some of the people I know who receive it. It's bad enough that you can be approved for things like drug abuse, and alcoholism. But what gets me is the denial rate for those who really need it. I have a friend who receives disability for chronic bronchitis, which falls under the copd category. I have a few problems with this, the first being that she was approved the first time she applied. Over sixty five percent of applicants are denied the first time. My second problem is that she never worked a day in her life, which means she has never paid into the system, which I feel should disqualify her. And the third problem I have is that her "disease" did not affect her ability to go out dancing almost seven nights a week, nor did it stop her from smoking like a chimney.

   I first took a look at the disability system when my mother was denied the first time. My mother had worked and paid into the system for forty years. She was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, multiple sclerosis, and emphysema. I couldn't even begin to understand why it took her three appeals to finally be granted her disability benefits. I couldn't believe that an alcoholic could get benefits, but my very sick mother was having trouble getting hers. It seemed more than just unfair, it was absolutely ridiculous to me. I wondered what kind of system ran this way. Once she finally got her benefits, I calmed down. For years I hadn't even thought about it. I didn't think about it until I ended up needing it.

   In 2007 I was diagnosed with severe clinical depression and severe body dysmorphia. My depression was so bad that I didn't leave the couch. I didn't open blinds, didn't shower, and didn't get dressed out of my pajamas. Body dysmorphia is a warped view of how a person sees themselves. Mine was so severe I was put on anti-anxiety medicine because going out in public caused panic attacks. On top of all that, in December of 2007, I hurt my back. My doctor ordered an MRI, and within days I too was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. I had two herniated discs and required surgery. In June of 2008 I had my back surgery. Somehow the surgery went wrong and I ended up even worse. I could barely walk, I couldn't dress myself, and I couldn't bend at all. About a year later I finally got the doctors to look at my back again. Another MRI revealed I had a disc in my lower back that was seventy-five percent deteriorated. I have also now been diagnosed with severe arthritis. I cannot even put my own shoes and socks on. I am currently on percocet, a narcotic used for pain. I have been on it for almost two years now. And that is on top of my anti-depressants, and  my anti-anxiety medicine. Which would, when combined, put most people to sleep, but I have also been diagnosed with persistent insomnia.

   I have applied for disability, and been denied three times now. One of my denial letters actually stated, and I quote: Although we believe you suffer from severe pain in your legs, back, torso, shoulders, and arms, we feel there are still some types of work you could perform.

That statement pretty much sums up what is wrong with the system

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