It’s a sad reality, but many people who are unable to work and are entitled to Social Security disability benefits are denied by the Social Security Administration because their condition cannot be formally diagnosed.
One man who used to work as an executive for the Toyota Corporation was forced to quit working when his degenerative nerve disorder made it difficult for him to stand or sit for periods of time.
The man, who is married and has four sons between the ages of 2 and 14, underwent an operation in 1999 after he suffered a brain aneurysm. A metal clip was left in his head after the procedure, meaning that he is not able to have an MRI taken to officially diagnose his nerve disorder.
Without that diagnosis, the SSA has denied him disability benefits, a decision he is appealing. For the time being, it means that his wife is working full time to support the family. Still, it is hard for them to make ends meet, so their friends and family organized a fundraiser that took place recently.
Aside from the obvious financial challenges the family is facing, the man’s aunt says that the physical limitations have been hard on her nephew. She describes him as a hardworking and energetic man who would help people with tasks like shoveling snow or working on a car. She says, “It saddens us all so much to see him in pain and frustrated that he can no longer do these things.”
Source: Leominster Champion, “Helping a friend and family in need,” Danielle Ray, June 15, 2012
Tags: degenerative nerve disorder, Social Security Administration, social security disability insurance
