Yes, that much I know for a fact, because we looked into both programs
and the amount I would have gotten from SSI was much lower than the
amount I got from SSDI. I know that how much you get from SSDI is
based on how long you worked before becoming disabled, but I don't
remember what the SSI amount is based on.

SSI is definately not enough, and I bet SSDI is just as bad. (Spoken true word after being nice and supporting (I had no choice... I wouldn't have heard the end of it) five other people.

People keeping sick or elderly just to get their SS check...Social Services can come in and take you out of your home if you are being abused or not cared for... But most likely if you can't show you can care for yourself you may be put into a nursing home...

Well, my mother is convinced that I "can't take care of myself", but she's
the one who's triggering my asthma with her smoking and chemical cleaners.

I'll give you an example: right now, she's out in the living room, where
she'll be until 2:00 or 3:00AM. When I get up a few hours later and go
out to the kitchen to have breakfast, the first thing I do when I get
back to my room is use the nebulizer machine so I can breathe again.
Why? Because the whole time she was out in the living room, she was
smoking cigarettes, knowing that they would trigger an asthma attack!

She's really "taking care of me", huh?

If I was living by myself, half of my medical problems would be solved...

Please don't hate me for suggesting this. I'm only suggesting this so you can breathe without your machine... Your mom (yes, I said mom) should definately look into it.

I hope you find it in your state!

http://www.sunandearth.com/ProductsPage.aspx

Raven got me up at 2:00AM to go outside. As soon as I opened my
bedroom door, I started having trouble breathing because of the
cigarette smoke. So, I had to use the nebulizer again. I just used it
before I went to bed at 11:00PM!!!

The only thing that's going to help me is getting out of this house.

Is it providing you with oxygen or is it like what severe asthmatics use, but it's only a machine? If it's providing you oxygen, she needs to stop for your safety. Or at least go outside and smoke away. Don't you think? After all, she made the decision to smoke, you didn't male the decision to have all theese problems for the rest of your life.

I don't know a lot about breathing problems...But I do know if you have oxygen in your home your treatments can be stopped since cigs can cause the oxygen tank to exploid...

No, it's not oxygen, it's medication: albuterol sulfate. As a matter of
fact, I'm using it now. But, she doesn't feel like she should have to
smoke outside. After all, "it's her house".

The other problem is that there's a virus going around (which I've had,
of course) that causes a lot of chest congestion. So, imagine what
that's like for a person with asthma. I finished the antibiotic, but
I've still got the coughing and the chest congestion. As a matter
of fact, a friend of my mother's said that her husband had the
exact same thing...for a month!

I'm not looking forward to this.

Now I know what you mean by "nessity" (of being "forced" out of your home) At least, you are going to have a place to breathe freely sooner or later, yeah, I know it's not what you want to do, but like most people in situations like ours, we have to take whats given to us. (Like it or not.) It's a shame a large majority of the "healthy" (aka non-hydrocephallic community, I bet the same goes for anyother group of people with a certain illness.) thinks we take things for granted since it may seem to them we don't WANT to do anything with our lives and expect others to take care of us.

I just hope she's not acting like a stubborn person to "get her revenge" on your life, since you have breathing issues, I bet you were rushed to the ER more with that issue then your hydrocephalus. (JMHO. Your mom needs a good kick in the butt to realize what she is doing to you. You are virtually a prisioner (in more ways than one) in your own home.)

I bet you spend a lot of time outside when weather permits. At least you'll have a decent ammount of clean air to breathe. (I am outside as much a possible when my dad starts his "pointless" indoor projects.) No, I am not an asthmatic, I thought I was, but it wound up being something funky with my bronchial tubes. (Is that correct, but it wasn't bronchitis.)

Maybe SHE should be outside smoking since she obviously craves it when you are having issues, it could do a world of good for you.

Please take care, I'll be here to listen....