Good luck if you move forward to the reconsideration stage (which I think you should).

Relatively few people are approved quickly, for many of us this process takes YEARS. Try not to be too discouraged.

Are you working with a lawyer ?

Have you seen all of your medical records ? Are you sure that they PROVE disability ? Many people believe that being disabled should be enough. The SSA doesn't see you and how you get through each day. They rely on the evidence in your records. Often doctors, or even the applicants themselves, just aren't specific enough.

There are also many cases, like Hope's, where the SSA doesn't seem to read the info that they do have.