Man - had this beautifully written, detailed account of what my situation was and my daughter closed it before I could post it! UGHHHH. Almost as frustrating as trying to get social security!

So now I am no longer in the mood to go back a retype everything, but I may at some point if someone is interested in hearing ir or thinks it might be applicable.

However, for now I will just stick to whats relevant to SSDI for our purposes here this evening and for your reference use!

I am a 41 year old mother of 3. I was gainfully employed as an executive marketing assistant for the past 10+ years. My last employer was Baxter Healthcare. Many of you have probably heard of them if not seen their name on your medical supplies or medicine.

My symptoms of neck and back pain started in 2003, I began having surgeries in 2006 followed by dibilitating migraines 6 months later. I was then diagnosed with depression and fibromyalgia, insomnia and mild anxiety disorder. I have ahd 5 total surgeries, approx 16 hospitalizations and numerous other tests. My last day of work was Jan 23 2007. I was placed on STD and when those benefits ended I was terminated and switched to LTD through Hartford Ins. My first SSDI claim was filed in March of 2007. Hartford supplies an advocate for the process and mine was Allsup Inc. They are one of the best in the country and will not charge you unless there is a favorable outcome. I would suggest that any of you going through this without an advocate get one and do it yesterday.

My first 2 claims were denied. Despite overwhelming evidence I was still denied. Folks dont be discouraged. This is not uncommon at all. The next step was having the case reviewed. OFten the ALJ does this or another attorney. Again, a favorable decision could not be reached. I was told that I would have to wait for my hearing. I was also told that in my area hearing could take 18- 36 months to get scheduled. That was about 7 months ago. 2 months ago I got a letter statingmy case had been scheduled for a hearing Feb 3, 2010.

I spoke with my assigned attorney a few times by phone who prepped me and told me what to expect. She thought I should have been approved long ago but that was just her opinion. She was optimistic to say the least. Shes been doing this a long time and at this level Allsup has a 93% approval rate. Given that I still didnt think I had a chance. My biggest problem was my age. I am young. Far younger than the norm getting approved.

At the office I met my attorney for the first time in person and we waited in a conf room and she reviewed my electronic file. She said she has never seen one like this in someone so young. That was comforting. We were brought into a small hearing room where there was a third party medical expert, a vocational expert the court reporter and then the judge came in. They did their legal mumbo jumbo and the judge asked me a few questions. How long could I sit, how long could I stand, how far could I walk... I answered as briefly as possible as instructed my my attorney. If I said too mcuh she would tap her notepad. NEVER say more than neccessary so they cant turn your words against you.

The judge then spoke with the medical expert who reviewed my entire file. He stated that the file was complete and credible. The judge said a few more things and stated he would issue a bench decision. My lawyer scribbled "you won" on her pad. The judge did a few more things and then informed my attorney that he was electronically submitting the decision for processing which apparently does away with the 6-12 week wait for the award letter or something to that affect. And then we left. My attorney said that was only the 2nd time in her career doing this that a judge submitted the decision electronically on his own. She said it was unheard of but good for me.

So there you have it. Another opinion and story to add to the pile. I have had 2 cervical surgeries and 3 back surgeries. I still have little relief and live on narcotics. I do the best I can like most of you but its usually hard. Money has been tight even though we have insurance which many of you dont . We are a little in the hole so the back pay will help but a lot of it will go back to the HArtford. I am curious what my actual benefits will be and how much my kids will get. Its a guessing game until everything starts showing up on the mail. Or I wake up and find money in my account. I do wonder though how mcuh quicker his filing from the bench will make it. I'll keep you posted. Good luck everyone. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer them. Been at this for 4 years now so I know a little bit....