I don't believe our perspectives are different.

I did not pass judgements on my neighbors vacations. I merely reported my observations of her physical capabilities prior to SSDI approval and post SSDI approval as well as her physical condition when she thought she was being observed versus when she thought she was not being observed. While in church, the grocery store, library etc., she needed a walker and was slumped over moaning and groaning. She made a large hysterical display at church crying that she could not make it to the communion rail so the minister had to bring communion to her pew. The moment she returned home the walker was gone, and she immediately engaged in activities like operating tillers, climbing ladders to the third floor, throwing her grandchildren over hear head, digging up trees, etc. For ten years her "RSD" only reduced her to groans and a walker while in public. Never in ten years did I observe these behaviors in her back yard. She complained bitterly that her family "didn't understand her "RSD." How could they when she went jet skiing on vacations, pitched tents and went rock climbing.

After a winter storm my husband observed her in her back yard running a huge snow blower after just telling him how she could not tolerate noises and had told her doctor she could never lift anything over five pounds. When my husband later questioned her about how she could operate the tiller and endure the noise she said, "I had no choice, my husband was at work and I have to finish the driveway so we can get out to a party tonight." I forgot to mention that after she ran the tiller for one hour she spent two hours shoveling snow, then climber a latter and cleared part of the garage roof of snow for another hour. An hour later she was dressed up and heading out to the party but not before she tossed the walker in the trunk. This was standard operating procedure for her for ten years but she was "too disabled" to work.

Unfortunately some people do beat the system and make it harder for the rest of us applying for SSDI. My husband now regrets not turning her in to workman's comp. I do too.