Dear Anita and all,

When my mother was 56 she suffered three heart attacks that resulted in her losing 1/3 of her heart function.

She had been working as a private sitter at a nursing home for several years, and could no longer do her job. No way could she care for her patients like she should.

I went to the local Social Security office and had all the appropriate forms filled out by her doctors for disability. (Not a pleasant thing at all..........I think they would like everything documented in blood!)

After sitting down with the social worker and giving him all the completed forms, the first thing out of his mouth was, "When you receive word that your Mother has been turned down for benefits, please come to me so that I may resubmit the forms." Granted, this was off the record, but he told me that the vast majority of disability claims are automatically denied. It seems that there are so many 'wannabes' out there that this is the state's way of 'weeding out' the flukes. Their reasoning is only those in need will go through with filing the second time.

Yes, Mom was denied instantly, I returned to the social security office, refiled, and she was accepted. She was paid retro from the date of her disability.

We've all seen the so-called disabled on TV bowling and leading an easy life on the tax money we all pay. I guess this is the state's way of having a check-and-balance system in place.

Love,
Mandi