Welcome to the club Kelly! I would suggest you set up an appointment now with an attorney who specializes in SSDI claims so you don't get side blinded at the last moment in your quest for benefits. It takes some time and lots of paperwork from your doctor to go through the approval process. The attorney usually will not charge you up front, but waits till you receive your approval and then takes a small percentage as their fee.

When I filed for mine, I already had all the copies of my office notes, many doctor letters from my various tx physicians stating I was disabled, labs, MRI reports and all other related test reports in hand for the attorney. It paid off because I was awarded my SSDI benefits on the very first attempt. Keep your ducks in a row and be sure you stay on top of things. I even hand delivered my completed application after my attorney and I finished it, with all the paperwork attached, to my SSDI field office where I live. Approval was so fast that my attorney never even took a fee out of my award!

This is the beginning of the rest of your life! You go girl!!

Carolyn

I have to say your attitude is great!! Your plans for volunteer work are awesome.
It is so hard not to work, I totally resisted stopping work until my neuro insisted and here I am a year and a half later....time does fly!!

I still have days where I miss work SO much, but then I sit back and wonder if it's the work, or just the socializing with my co-workers that I miss?

It is both, I miss using my brain on a constant basis [I was a charge nurse on a cardiac telemetry floor] and i miss goofing with the staff.....then I try to do something simple, like going upstairs to run the washer and reality sets in and I know I physically cannot do my job. I have come to terms with my situation [most days]

Like others have said, start your SSDI application ASAP.
I was one of the lucky ones who was approved on my first try, applied in September 07 and approved in Feb 08.
Hope everything goes smoothly for you.
Keep us posted !

Kelly - I think a lot of us have been where you are at some point. However, making the best of it is healthier all around. It sounds as though you have a very healthier attitude about it and the company being so kind and supportive helps a lot as well.

I hope all works out with both SSDI and any new endeavor you now choose to do.