I'm so glad to hear you've "won"...what you paid into!
Is rediculous the way they deny people who can't even stand or sit like normal people.

When I went before a judge after years of being turned down, the judge asked me questions...
I was terrified, nervous AND having bouts of diarrhea, had to excuse myself...
here I was on "trial"...and I'm running off to the toilet!
But what can you do?
SSI people sent me to a Fibromyalgia specialist for second opinons.
He's pretty well known here in my area and everyone loves him as his bedisde manners are the greatest.
HE's very thorough, attentive and takes time to answer your questions.
BUT...he felt I could do SOMETHING to do for work and wasn't favorable towards my getting SSI...
I was devastated by what he'd written as there was no way I could work!
My muscle and joint pain was reason enough, not to mention the fatigue and brain fog.
I was making near 6 figure income selling real estate, was a top selling agent until one day....sigh...
The intestintal pain and constant diarrhea controled how my day went on top of the fatigue and muscle pains.
Why would I NOT want to work? I loved my job and enjoyed every moment of working until I became too ill.
The judge looked directly into my eyes, then asked me what I thougth of the FM specialist...he asked me this
"Tell me about your visit, what did you think of him?"
How could I say otherwise...the FM guy WAS very nice and I really liked him!

So I told the truth, stating I'd found him to be very freindly, informative and understanding...
but I was confused and shocked that he thougth I could work when I'm so ill..
that I didn't think he understood the big picture of what my life has been and
there ARE days when I look somewhat normal and can pull off looking like a normal person for just a short time,
but no one see's me when behind closed doors.

I exclaimed that I've worked my entire life, began with helping my mother while she worked,
then as a teen worked every waking hour...that I was ALWAYS a hard worker, until I became ill overnite.
When I finished stating this...I really felt I was losing because I was honest in saying
the FM guy was very proffessional and knowledgable but I didn't agree with his findings.
The judge began mumbling something then banged his gavel on the desk.
I couldn't hear what he was saying and my attorney was whispering to me as he smiled.
Thinking the worst I had no idea what he'd said and was told it would be months of reveiw after this hearing...but was not my case.
The judge has said he found me to be 100% honest and agree'd with my Rheumatologist that I could not work
and decided right then and there in my favor! Unheard of as it always takes months of review AFTER this hearing!

So always be 100% honest even if you feel will hurt your case.
It paid off in my case.
The judges words were "I'm awarding you this because I find you to be totally honest"....
wow and I was afraid to speak the truth but I did.
If I had tried to discredit this guy...would have cost me everything.

Sadly...I've gotten much much worse and my health has continued to decline over the last few years.
I was hoping I'd "snap out of it" and be able to go back to work one day.
I loved my job...it defined who I was and being "on top" all the time boosted my self esteme.
Most days I can't even get out of bed now...but I thank God I have a loving and supportive husband.
I feel so bad for many of you who struggle and are turned down time after time and desperatly in need of this money you paid into.
You can only trust in God...put this in HIS hands as He will take care of you and provide all your needs.

I have the hope in a much better life here after and thats what helps me live with this pain 24/7....
A life that won't include pain or suffering ever again.
I know its not easy...life is not fair as long as we live on planet earth will always be this way.
Blessings, cheryl