okay .. here's somemore good news ..

for the non-profit quilt corp ... I applied for a program within the state that promotes products made here in Wisconsin:: Something Special from Wisconsin ...

today I received the acceptance letter and logo stuff .. and will be able to include this label on anything I make, sell and donate (to the children etc)!!

even when I make the totes, runners, quilts ... will be coming from the corporation - and the monies earned will go to the program ... this is so cool!!

Good for you Vonn, I wanted to let you know I went to my first quilting get together at church and was learning to "ride the ditch"

I am starting a block a month group at one of the shops here with a friend in September. It really is alot of fun and rewarding too.

Again congrats on your new enterprise...Sue

Congrats Vonn, I am so happy for you, see today didnt turn out too bad now did it congrats

let us know deb stills wants a tote bag, let me know perhaps i can surprise her for xmas

thanks everybody .. I kept my head about myself ... and good things came out of it ... and more coming ... thanks so much!

Vonn

What is the reason your doctors do not want you to work? I don't mean to be hard on you here. Really, I don't. But sometimes you just can't listen to everything that the doctors say. And they should not be saying some of the things that they say because they are too far removed from the real world.

Even before I was diagnosed with MS, I have had doctors telling me I should not be doing a variety of things, including work. I asked them if I continued to work or to mop the floor or do some lifting, would that hasten along the grim reaper? Of course, it wouldn't. Okay, then.....

I mean really, who do they think is going to do these things for me? The cabana boy who cleans the pool?

Just last month, my MS neuro expressed surprise that, given my condition, I was still working. I came right out and asked him if he was willing to contribute to my finances.

I know that it would be easier on me not to work. There are days that I pray to God just to let me get across the street, up 4 floors, down 2 halls and to my desk.

But I have to work. Period. That's it. I am the one who carries the health insurance. The idea of me not working is not even in the equation.

As long as I am ambulatory or have a great scooter and as long as I have enough of my faculties to get by, I will be working. There's no choice.

I know the day will come when I absolutely cannot work and it scares me to no end but until then.....

Trust me, I cry alot too. But, if you are able to get a non-profit organization up and running, then there should be something that you could do at least part time. I think it would do you a world of good, especially for your mental health.

Okay, enough preaching. I just worry about you and I think you are much more capable than some of your doctors have led you to believe.


Sandy, unfortunately, it doesn't work like that and yes, it is not fair. It's been my experience that the more a person calls SS, the more harm he/she does.

To the extent that anyone calls, I believe it should be the attorney. They tend to listen to an attorney more. (And Vonn, you DO have an attorney, DON'T you?)

The SSA cannot help Renee right now. Her case is at the Appeals Council. If she is lucky, she will either win or her case will be remanded but there is not any new evidence that can be submitted. Her attorney should have written an appeal to go along with the forms that have to be submitted. The council uses the evidence, transcript and notice of the ALJ from the first hearing and the attorney's appeal to make their decision.

Sometimes we have had the decision in a couple of months and just recently, we received the Appeals Council's decision right over the two year anniversary! There's really no rhyme or reason.

Anyway, I certainly wish everyone luck and they get favorable decisions and benefits quickly!

thanks, Carolina ...

I understand what you're saying ... and the odd thing is - there is no one close to me that has ever had to go thru this sorta thing ... I was at a loss and felt like I was in limbo ...

I did try to return to work (my old job) .. but, it was just too frustrating and stressful (was making me worse) .. and I felt like I wasn't making a difference ... and the drive was ridiculous .. and I wanted to move .. but, now I was in a financial bind ... and then receiving work disability ... while getting that, I applied for online classes to do something!

Lost my job because they said I didn't try - but I did .. and wouldn't help me find another position within the company .. they said that I would have to come back into the same position ... and that wasn't going to be good.

Starting the corp ... all on paper ... no shop or studio .. and the quilting has helped me keep the stress down .. and this was something I was pursuing before I was dx'd ... and just decided to really do it ... going slow ...

doesn't pay for me to have a lawyer ... still waiting now after the appointment on Tuesday and go from there ...

should I push myself and work out? I was trying to ... but couldn't find anything that would encourage me to 'stick with' ... and the stress of applying and interviewing was draining me ... sorry, if this sounds like whining.

Vonn, glad to see everything seems to be falling into place for ya.

~~~~

I finished a couple of paintings today, but our camera is dead at the moment. Seems to be a common electronic gremlin day for our house today, LOL!

Not sure if I should post the one though. I did a painting about the feeling of vertigo. Yep, definitely expressed it well. I get dizzy when I look at it too long

What stage of the process are you at? Have you applied yet for a Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge? (You would have had to be denied twice to be at this level)

And, no, I don't feel like you are whining. Never think that. And, even if were, so what? Everyone's entitled to and that's what we're here for. Whine, rage and vent away! You're with friends.

Carolina, I know all about the process thanks to Renee and for sure today is harder than ever to get approved. Jim was approved on the first time but that was about 15 years ago. The system is flawed and I blame all those people out there who faked the system and ruined it for those who really need it.

I was just venting for my friends, nothing more. But thanks anyway! lol

As far as Vonn or anyone else who is told they can't work don't feel bad if you can't. It's much easier to have the luxury of time to get things done than with a job where you must perform within a certain amount of hours. Not to mention once you are home things need to be done there as well. Having a quilting corp where it's all non profit and works around your schedule doesn't mean one can work a full time or part time job. That is the type of job that can work around your schedule if need be and from home. Some day's one may be able to get up and go to work and other times they can't, not to mention if you are in the process of trying to get SSDI. For those who can still work, congrats and keep on trucking man. But for those of us who stay at home we aren't just sitting around all day. We still have houses and things to keep up just like before. Only now, the time is more flexible. JMHO

If I sound defensive about this subject it's because I watched my husband fight his disability to the core of his being and his health suffered big time. He didn't stop because he felt guilty if he didn't work and no one could tell him different. It didn't help when some people thought he should continue working. He did attend college even after he stopped working in hopes to get back into the workforce but it didn't happen.

I too can no longer work and went through the 5 year fight with social security. I loved my job as the marketing director at a casino, the pay was good, and who wouldnt love giving away cash, cars, houses, trips etc.

After getting hurt and realizing the pain wasnt going away I continued to work even through the pain. But about a year and half later the casino was forcing me out because they said my job performance was low, and getting lower. So I got a job at another casino....what a fiasco that was. That is when it became apparent to me that work was something I was only gonna dream of doing ever again.

Believe me nobody would quit a job that pays very well, and has perks up the wazoo to chase the measly amount you get from SSDI. Although that was what the first judge said I was doing!!!???

You are on the right track, and finding something to do to distract you from the pain and limitations is the best thing you could do. For me it is computers, I love to build them and fix them, and surf the net, play games, and visit my friends in the forums