I'm sorry that I didn't notice your post sooner. I hope that you were just blowing off steam and don't have a serious plan to hurt yourself. Many of us have felt very hopeless. There is help out there.

You can get a lawyer at ANY stage, even from the beginning. Many lawyers might not want to start at the beginning of a claim because of the way the normal contingency based reimbursement works. They get 25% of your pay up to a cap of $6000 (last I heard). They don't want 25% of your first check, they hope for the full $6000 fee.

Make sure that your application is accurate and clearly indicates why you are disabled. In consistencies can cause a denial. You mention here that you are bedridden. In another post you say, "mostly bedridden." If your application says bedridden and you walked in or had a WC at the ALJ hearing, and didn't have a video conference or you transported in a stretcher via ambulance, that could cause them to think that the severity of your issues have been overstated. Reviewing all of your application, including the medical record, really needs to be done by a lawyer (or professional in this area). If you have brain fog/concentration issues as I do at times, you could be missing what your record does and doesn't say about you and your disability.

Your past lawyer sounds like a schmuck, quitting now that the tough work lays ahead. I wish you luck in finding someone who will pursue this for you.

I'm sorry to hear about the new developments on the medical front. Sad, but true......that should finally get their attention. Best wishes facing this latest medical challenge.

your right "finz".about feeling stressed,anxiety,depression,etc.because it can lead you to want to "hurt your self".and about that we all had been where you are at.its is how this section got started.it was started by me another member here.her name is "legalMania".i was at my last straw and no one to turn to .but i was lucky and found this site.now i had people who listen and understand what i was going thru.and maybe give me some tips on whatto do.but what i discovered was that so many member here are all in the same boat.so i brought up to one member here "legalMania"could we have a "chatNite".where all us members can get together and just talk and relieve some pain.but what she had suggested was this way instead.so with her help,ginnie and a few others it turned out to be a great move after all.but please dont do anything drastic to yourself.i (we all)know how your feeling.were here and gots your back

Thanks you guys. I am not planning on doing anything drastic to myself. I just don't know how I will be able to live without disability income. I won't be able to. Yeah, you are right about being clear on the application. I have brain injury and it is hard to be clear about what is happening. I say mostly bedridden or bedridden because I am unable to stand, walk, sit for very long. 2 hours or less for sitting and way less then that for walking, standing. I struggle to bath and dress myself. I mostly have to lie down all day on the couch or bed. I say bedridden because it feels that way. I have only been out of my house for a few hours in the last 4 years. I get bed sores. So to me it is bedridden. But to them I guess it is not. Now that I am having neuropsychological testing done I am hoping the report will explain things to the disability people. I am unable to be around too much stimuli for very long as my brain just shuts down and I get terrible migraine headaches and other symptoms. I think this report from the neuropsychologist will really show my cognitive impairment. I applied the first time on just chronic pain as the main issue. Now that I have started having seizures and finally went to a neurologist and got the diagnosis of PCS, TBI etc. I am thinking this will be sufficient for disability. I thought all these cognitive issues were because of pain but have learned that is not the case. Now with report from neurologist, MRI showing problem, impairment letter from pain doctor and neuropsychological testing report I have evidence. Can any of you think of anything else I could or need to submit? My family is writing a letter telling them that I would have to be in an assisted living center if not at home with them as I am not independent in a lot of ways.
Thanks,
Brain

sounds like you have/did all the best you or anyone can do.this is tough and a strain on you.i think its more emotionally than anything else.its all this waiting is also can be tense full to.but that lawyer you had..good riddance.but we here got you

When I got my denial letter I was suicidal and had to go to the ER....I still cannot understand how the judge denied me. I have extreme anger against her.

that is exactly how i felt when i got my to!!!..i all most got "commented"it was so hard...its how i found this site.but anyway.my lawyer called me immediately for the "appeal".but what happen to me now until then!..Hmmm..that was me "what happen till then"?I went to my congressman for help ..even to the "VA".i was such a wreck when i went to the "VA"they were the ones who wanted to keep me in the hospital!

[I do know how you feel. I felt that way three times during the 4 years it took me to qualify. In that time, every dime two generations saved for was gone. A person cannot help getting sick or injured. This process is painful, and justice doesn't always work. Keep fighting for your rights and don't give up. I know Don too, and the anxiety this cause him and me both. I am sorry this has come into your life. I hope you have a lawyer or assistant to help you re-file and continue your fight. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. ginnie