Fibro Disability

[Lassy63]

I am 47yrs old, have had arthritis for over 30 yrs and fibro for 25 yrs.  I am at the point in my health where I can no longer do my accounting job,have tried other jobs unsuccessfully and am considering applying for disability benefits or at least financial assistance of some sort.  Unfortunately I do not know where to go or how to go about investigating any of these avenues.  I have tried all fibro web sites to no avail.  I cannot collect EI as I cannot work long enough to qualify.    I have been unable to get a Dr. in Alberta as they will not take any fibro patients. (even Rhuematologists)  My lack of ability to earn an income has broken up my marriage and I cannot even afford to move out - I have not one cent to my name, no family support, no Dr., no one to talk about this with and am extremely depressed and feel there is no hope but to camp out at the psyc ward of the hospital to protect myself from doing something I may regret.    If there is anyone out there that can help or advise where I could possibly get help, I would really appreciate it as I don't know how many more days I can endure.   Someone please find it in your heart to help a very defeated, sick person.   Thank you.

[mommyandwife]

http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?pagename=topics_disability

[dustybrown]

Hello Lassy63,
Please do not feel defeated just yet. There are many folks who gloss over these forums and I am sure someone out there has been in your shoes who may respond. I personally have not come to the point where I need to file for disability yet. I too suffer from arthritis and fibro and understand how debilitating it can be and feel for you intensely. You mentioned Alberta, so you must be in Canada. I am not familiar with the disability benefit system in Canada when it comes to Fibromyalgia. I am hoping someone who does will chime in soon.

Here in the U.S. you must be unemployed for a certain amount of time before qualifying for SSI and hiring an attorney is not required, but extremely helpful. Most people in the US are turned down at least once before they win there cases and it is not uncommon to lose several times. It is a long process and the court systems do a wonderful job of breaking the spirits of those who are ill.

Another great website to check out that may be able to help you find others who have experience if not with disability information, but with fibro in general is Patients Like Me. You may be able to get your question answered there if not here. They do require you to sign up and it's free. It's up to you if you want to join. I am on that site as well. Good luck to you and keep your chin up sweety.

http://www.patientslikeme.com/