Introduction (TBI and quest for SSD approval)
 

Hi! My name is Jen. I'm 38 years old. I sustained a TBI in January of 2004. At the time, I was employed as a marketing director and was also a freelance writer and author. I fell on some ice and hit my head pretty hard. I was taken to the ER and diagnosed with a concussion. My PCP referred me to the local Brain Injury Program, where I did 8 months of physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. I also saw a neuro, neuropsychologist and neuro-opthalmologist. My primary issues in the beginning were vestibular (balance, vision) and executive function (memory, organizing, mulit-tasking, concentration, organization, taking in new information, idea generation, creativity, etc). The therapy cleared up the vestibular issues and improved my executive function, though not enough to return to work at full capacity or to write at a professional level.

I was single and lived alone at the time. I know that I fell down the stairs at least twice during that time, but didn't seek medical attention. My employer was fantastic, and I was paid my full salary even though I was completely off work for months at a time. We tried a slow return with partial hours and a lighter load, but I was not able to keep up or represent the company well.

In May of 2006, I sustained a second TBI when I smacked my head against a counter. Shortly thereafter, I lost my job. I also lost my book contract.

I used to be an extremely independent, type-A personality. I had some savings and a healthy 401K, which I cashed out to live on while I slowly accepted my new reality. After my money was gone and I was facing foreclosure, I finally applied for disability in November 2007. (I married in July 2007, so am not eligible for SSI).

I tried working in a church bookstore one day a week, but even that was too much. The cognitive fatigue turned me into a zombie by the end of the shift, and made my headache worse. I have a headache everyday, most days it is manageable, but every few weeks it'll get worse, confine me to home and often my bed for a few days, up to a week at a time.

I joined this forum to hear from others with TBI to hear how they are living out their new normal lives, and also to learn if anyone with TBI has successfully been granted disability (I'm currently waiting for my hearing, which was supposed to be in two weeks, but was just pushed to August).

Jen,

I am sorry to hear of your struggles. Been there, done that.

Did you file a Work Comp claim after the impact with the counter? Work Comp is a no-fault solution. The second impact should be covered. Most states do not try to portion out causation between different injuries.

Were you on the job during the first concussion?

welcome jen
 

hi jen

I know exactly how hard it is, because we have been there, and still struggle on, our life has changed, beyond recognition , but I remind myself . of the things I have, and look for good in most situations , cold comfort with mounting dept and a system that won,t recognize this hidden disability, if it was not for a head injury charity hooking us up with the right departments I dread to think were we would be, I too tried to return to work, employers are good until they realize its long term, I try to tell new head injured people, I meet that going back to work may not be the best thing for them , but like me they hope things will improve , but in some !!! cases unfortunately they do not

hope some one on the board can give you some piratical advice regarding SSD

A head injury charity is a good place to start, its always a good thing to have a advocate that can think fast at meetings or on the phone, forms ect I am intelligent, but sometimes I mis the plot or get angry, in these type of situation

my very best wishes, and please keep the posts coming , you maybe helping others more than you know :)

Thank you both for your responses. I should add that I applied for disability in November 2007. After two denials, I'm awaiting my hearing. It was supposed to be April 26, but they just called and are pushing it back to August. Sigh...

Neither TBI happened at work, so I wasn't eligible for worker's comp. The initial accident happened at a Speedway gas station. I did file a report the week of the accident, though I thought I would be fine at the time. A few months later, I requested a copy of the surveillance tape, but it "disappeared."

The second one happened at a friend's house.

I have a lawyer helping me on the SSD case. He wasn't involved until I got the hearing. He's actually glad for the delay so he has more time to build the case. He has an 80% approval rate, but says I'm 50/50 due to it being a TBI (hard to prove) and fairly high functioning, except that I'm inconsistent due to headaches and cognitive fatigue.

Glad to know I'm not alone...

Mark, I'd love to hear more about your SSD process...

It took me just two months shy of three years to get my SSDI approved. I did not get approved due to my concussion caused cognitive difficulties. I was approved on psychological grounds. My attorney told me to expect the psychological angle.

The psychological/behavioral issues are concussion caused so it really does not matter. I am easily overwhelmed in crowds and noisy places, especially if the noise is voices. I can over-react to stressful situations. I also do not drive.

Have you had a neuropsych assessment?

Did your state's Disability Determination Service send you to a psychologist for an evaluation? They did with me. He approved me for disability at my second application but the DDS office denied me anyway. I think they had some concerns about whether I had met the Substantial gainful Activity threshold. I did not find this out until just before my Admin Hearing.

You can ask you Senator to light a fire under the SSDI people. SSDI was supposed to have hire a bunch of judges to get the back-log cleared up.


My best to you as you go through this process.