Janke, I hope to get a job. I'm taking an STNA class in May to hopefully be a nurses aid. Do you know what epilepsy consists of? It's the reason I don't drive; my Dr won't let me. In a way I don't want to because I have a high chance of causing an accident. I don't want to possibly hurt or kill someone. I could have a seizure at any moment & in my case I don't know ahead of time when it will happen (some people do). Right now I could have a sz. & break my computer, kick my dog &/or fall off the couch. (Not alot now but most anything is possible). A few yrs ago I was ironing & had a seizure & dropped or put the iron on my leg. I got a 2nd & 3rd degree burn on my thigh. (A 3rd degree burn doesn't hurt because the nerves are killed but a 2nd degree hurts like mad.) I don't know because I experiance unconciousness(sp) for a few seconds.

I want to thank all of you for your responces.

I read the post about neuropathy & that in a way seems to fit me. I don't always know what happens at first when I have a complex partial seizure but I know the results when I come to. I was waiting for my ride home once & I found myself walking a few blocks away across the street. I don't know how I got across (did cars swerve to miss me, I wonder). I forgot about my grand mal seizures. I fall to the ground & have convulsions were I can hit my head on a nearby object or choke on saliva or my tongue. I've been to the ER a few times because of grand mals. I remember one time my husband called 911 (I don't remember that part), when the parametics came I was sitting down & when I saw their shoes I knew I was going to the hosp. & I ran in the other room, they gently talked to me & I left with them.

I don't have epilepsy so I don't know first hand what it is, but I am familiar with the illness. But, the name of the illness is not as important as the symptoms. Some people with epilepsy do go to work every day. If your condition is mild, you may be able to work and you will not be found disabled for SSI or SSDI. If your condition is severe and you are found disabled, you cannot get SSDI if you have not paid into the Social Security system for enough years. Doesn't matter how severe your condition is. If your condition is severe and you are found disabled, you might be able to get SSI (a welfare disability program) if you and your husband's income and assets are under a certain dollar amount. If your husband or you have too much in other income or countable resources, you can't get SSI under any circumstances. Wouldn't matter how severe your illness is.

Not being able to drive, for whatever reason, does not equate to being too disabled to work. You could take a bus to work, or walk or get a ride from someone. Might be more difficult to get hired, but in many big cities, a car is actually a hindrance to getting to the job. You would need other severe symptoms and unresponsiveness to medication. Go to socialsecurity.gov and look at the Blue Book about neurological disorders. Not being able to drive is one symptom and one limitation. Not enough in and of itself for a finding of disability.

I have been trying to answer the questions you raised, but you should never rely on strangers on the Internet. Good luck on your training and job search. Working as much as you can for as long as you can will help you in many ways, not just paying today's bills. You will earn credits with Social Security so that you do have a possible source of income when you really can't work at all any more.

Thankyou Janke, I knew the info about driving, but I didn't know the rest. BTW: I agree with "don't rely on strangers on the internet". I like to talk to help & get help. I go to forums for other disabled people and ask info. or 'things' or to give my 2 cents but we tell each other "I'm no Dr. but ......"