Disability Round 1

Ok so as I stated. My husband and I are not only the best of friends but we are totally dedicated to one another and to our family.

In 1995 I found a wonderful job that was very well paying. However, John and I believe that children NEED a parent at home. We discussed for some time what would be best for everyone and decided that he would stay home with the children while I took on this new carreer.

John was a wonderful stay at home parent. And though even his family gave us a hard time about this decision, we were happy that we did it.

For a year and a half I happily worked at this company and John dutifully stayed home and cared for the house and children. He would even stay up until I got home sometimes and cook for me. (I worked 5pm to 2am)

Suddenly, one day on the way home from work, I felt like I was having a heart attack. I pulled the car over and layed down in the back seat. I was having a hard time breathing and the pain throughout my body was frightening. When it passed I continued on my way home.

Over the course of a couple of months I began having worse pains and more odd episodes that varied in symptoms. Finally I became unable to continue working.

Now, if you have ever had to fight for disability then you will understand why I said disability round one. I began seeking medical help. At first I was told that this was all in my head and that I just needed to stop. WHAT?!? I was made to feel like I was faking and/or crazy. This brought on a major depression.

For years I tried to figure out what was going on with me. Sometime during this experience I finally applied for disability, as it was becoming apparent that I would not be able to return to work.

Finally I found a doctor who cared and who understood. She did a full physical, the first one I had gotten since this all began, and told me what she thought it might be. She referred me to a specialist and they confirmed her belief that this was a severe form of fibromyalgia with all the trimmings, meaning with every imaginable side effect, symptom or accopanying issue that goes with it.

During this process I learned that most doctors do not care if you are in pain. I learned that some doctors prefer to blame you. I learned that most doctors will not do anything for you to make your life more tolerable. And I learned that no matter how bad you feel, you can be made to feel worse.

It still took several months before I finally got approved for disability but it did finally happen.