Help Norman's Family After SSDI Loss

What's up everyone, I am Samantha, the wife of a 40+ visually impaired husband and mom of 5 children. My husband Norman lost his vision after being diagnosed with the flu and pneumonia in 2009. His lungs collapsed, he lost function of my kidneys, and was placed on a ventilator. Norman was in an induced coma for two weeks. Soon after, scar tissue invaded his eyes and took over his central vision. He always says losing his vision at a young age has been life-changing in many ways; but the moments we have often taken for granted (reading books together, driving, attending sports games with our children) now mean so much more.

Nevertheless, we have learned to walk by faith and not by sight.

Norman has been employed by Lions Services Inc., a company that empowers blind individuals with mobility skills, which is crucial for fostering their independence and enriching their lives, since 2017. He was recently named the 2024 Lion Service's employee of the year due as a result of his dedication and hard work. Working there has allowed him to build relationships with people who are also visually impaired and to help take care of his family financially. Although he enjoys his job as a machine operator making essential items for the military, and finds purpose helping those with disabilities like his, he often struggles to financially make ends meet in the home, making only $13 per hour.

As a result of Norman's visual impairment, we have had to rely on social security disability to supplement income and meet the financial needs of our home. In June of 2025 my husbands benefit check had not been deposited into our account so we called the administration office for assistance and were advised that he had made too much money between October and December of 2022. SSA decided to abruptly, and without ANY advanced notice, terminate his benefits, and later sent a letter stating he was responsible for paying back a substantial amount, $52K. All recipients attached to his case (4 of our children) also received letters stating funds received during this timeframe had to be paid back (approximately $17K).

This immediate and abrupt stop in my husbands approved benefits has had a major impact on my family's livelihood, leaving us with minimal options to pay our bills.

If you know anyone who receives disability, you know we often live on a "fixed" income and have no savings, or extra finances that carry over month to month.

My family needs assistance, as we continue walking in Blind Faith!

Any help will be greatly appreciated.