You've been given excellent advice LoriLee.

I got approved on my first attempt, but here in Oz they do things a bit differently. I was only given 2 years SSDI, because my local doctor (for some unknown reason) thought I might be much improved by the time I came up for re-assessment in 2 years time, therefore......come September I have to do it all over again.

I have MS, not RSD, but SSDI for any reason probably has similar rules.

Don't ask me why he thought that the symptoms I've had for 32 years of MS will suddenly improve this year. How he thought that, immobile as I am, I could return to my position of critical nursing in a high dependency hospital unit. How he thought that the short term memory that I used to have... would suddenly come back in time for my re-assessment this year? Don't ask me what I'll do if they refuse me this time.

I agree with what the others have told you. Tell it how it is, but how it is on one of your worst days. Take your notes with you and refer to them if you want. If you occassionally need a chair.... use it on that day. If you wear continence aids, wear them... and let them know they are there and you might need to take a break to change them.

No make up! Look the same as you do when you get up on any day at home. If you'e a teary person, use them to your best advantage. If you don't think you can tell it like it is, take someone with you to be your spokes-person, but let them know how you want to come across.

Play on everything Lori, but always tell the truth. Never tell a lie!

Good Luck.