September is Pain Awareness Month Allsup offers free posters, explains how chronic pain is evaluated for SSDI benefits Belleville, Ill. – August 29, 2011 – Chronic pain affects an estimated 116 million American adults—more than the total affected by heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined, according to a recent Institute of Medicine report. Allsup, a […]
Most people may not be not aware of the prevalence of those living with disabilities. In fact, there are probably more people living with disabilities in the United States than people realize. According to the Institute on Disability, “If people with disabilities were a formally recognized minority group, at 19% of the population, they would […]
“Just add it to the bottomless list.” Ever felt that way? As though the world and all its demands expects you to keep going until you’ve finished everything on your plate, so to speak. Including the Brussels sprouts. It’s an image that reminds me of long-ago decades growing up in Fargo, North Dakota. The dinnertime […]
In the last two years I have lost four people I cared for very much. They both were about my age, 45. Losing these friends forced me to face a mountain of loss that I was not familiar with. Standing at the bottom of this mountain, I had no idea what to do next. There […]
“Perseverance is a long word followed by a short attention span.” While I wrote that quote for a recent weekly business column, it applies universally, especially so for patients. If you’ve been in nursing for awhile, maybe you’ve observed what I’ve experienced firsthand – a decrease in the time patients, myself included, are willing to be […]
Port Hope, Ontario resident, Selena Forsyth, gives of her time to make her town accessible for people with disabilities. “Ms. Forsyth is Port Hope’s Accessibility Advisory Committee chairwoman and since 2004, the committee, through its ‘Access for All’ activities, has increased awareness of barriers people with visible and invisible disabilities in the community face each […]
It takes time to appreciate the value of climbing a mountain. You do not know if you will be able to make it to the top, get stuck half way, or be so frightened you stand at the bottom, afraid to take the first step. Choices in real life are the same. Some things we […]
Morven Da Fomo of Ullapool, discusses summer challenges for parents of children with Autism and Asperger’s. Morven says they want the children to have fun, but there are always concerns with the break in routine. Many parents of children with other developmental differences may also relate to the challenges. Morven said, “Parents of a child […]
Heather Saunders, mother of 12 year old Alice, was told her daughter could not fly on her own due to having Down’s Syndrome. Heather said: ‘When I asked why she said: ‘‘Because we’ve had problems in the past.’’ ‘They ask you to let them know of any additional needs. I asked: ‘‘What if I hadn’t […]
Are You Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits? SSA uses a five-step evaluation process to determine SSDI eligibility Belleville, Ill. – June 1, 2011 – An aging population and the struggling economy are factors in the rising number of people applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, but eligibility requirements remain strict, according to […]
“A what scan?” A scanner connoisseur, I added a new scan to my appointment this week. The oral surgeon’s office has a newfangled scanner called a CBCT: Cone Beam Computed Tomography. I’ve had MRIs, CTs, tomography (um, regular??) and now CBCT. It rocks. The CBCT scanner is quick, easy and tunnel-free. It provides standing room […]
Allsup Explains Impact as SSA Eliminates Endocrine Disorders from its Listing of Impairments for Disability Benefits Diabetes, hypoglycemia and other hormonal imbalances no longer reach “listing-level severity” Belleville, Ill. – June 7, 2011 – Effective today, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will remove endocrine disorders from its Listing of Impairments used to evaluate Social Security […]
“Tick tick tick.” I take it for granted. My ticker, that is. It’s one part of me that, as far as I know, still works as it was designed. Four decades of arthritis has not affected my heart. I’m fortunate. At age seven, four decades ago, attempts were made to figure out what the heck […]
“What are you – a comedian?” Nope, these professionals aren’t – aren’t comedians, that is. They operate on a different spectrum. They sometimes share similarities with comedians, but their humor is often more subtle, more cerebral. Who are they? They’re humorists. There’s even one month a year dedicated to them. March is always ‘Humorists are […]
“A gadget guru’s paradise. Really?” A medical office? As soon as I was called back into the inner sanctum for my appointment, I knew something was different. This was merely the warm up act. I walked over to the scale. While not exactly a gadget, it was creatively updated. Ready to step up and onto […]
Social Security Benefits Go Electronic May 1 Paper checks no longer an option for anyone applying for federal benefits. Belleville, Ill.– April 28, 2011 – Anyone applying for federal benefits on or after May 1, 2011, will receive payments electronically, as the U.S. Department of Treasury phases out paper checks. As a result, it’s important […]
“Well, hello there, stranger.” You’d think that after living with the same body for four decades, there wouldn’t be any surprises left. That is, other than the usual age-related changes. I’m getting all too used to them. You, too? My sympathies. Much in the same way, I’ve gotten all too used to the weirdities accompanying […]
In Recognition of National Autism Awarness Month – April What is Autism? According to the Autism Society, “Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is […]
“Please pass the attitude.” We routinely recognize the genes that pass from one generation to the next. After all, we see evidence of hand-me-down genes looking back at us each morning in the mirror. (“When did I become my mother??”) While we recognize genes that are passed along, what we don’t often recognize are the […]
As many of you know, my husband has been in and out of the hospital since last October. He is battling a rare form of lymphoma in his brain called PTLD. During this time, I have received a lot of generous support, wonderful encouragement, and helpful suggestions from family, friends, and even strangers. People have […]