Hi. My name is Jeffrey. I am fighting the Social Security Administration and am just needing money to survive until I win. Here’s my story.

I’ve lived one of those lives where something always seems to be blocking the path and obstacles abound. But I never complained and always found a way around. I have always been fiercely independent and, for the most part, lived a successful life. But the last two years have broke me in all ways possible.

In May 2022 I was 51, living in Anaheim CA, working at my retirement job at Disneyland, had a husband and a dog and was enjoying life.

But something physically was wrong that I had been hiding. My left hand didn’t quite ‘work’. It wasn’t weak – just didn’t connect with my brain properly. I finally gave in and told my physician. A dizzying 3 months of Labs, x-rays, mri’s poking and prodding gave me a preliminary diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease.

I’ve got blogs that I have been writing for anyone who is interested, but for now I will fast forward quite a bit.

I was deteriorating quite fast (which is not normally what Parkinson’s is like), but by early 2023 I was unable to stand without losing my balance, walk long distances, use my left hand for most anything (I’m left handed). My handwriting is tiny and illegible. I have moments of ‘white out’ where I forget who I am, where I am or what I was doing. My memory is failing. I started having night terrors that are debilitating.

So in Feb 2023, as I was starting to begin the disability process, Disney decided they could no longer utilize my services and cut ties (pending litigation prevents me from saying much more).

On March 24th, I started the arduous process of applying for Social Security Disability, after all of my doctors agreed it was the correct course of action. Thus began the worst experience of any government entity anyone could have.

For anyone who has an account on the SSA website you might be familiar with the (fake) percent timer that gives you a sense they’re doing something. I watched over the days… weeks…. Months and it ticked up. But in early June it stopped at 28%. I called for a status update, got a generic answer that it was ‘in the system’. I did this once a week for 6 weeks. Until July 17th, when I met an angel at the SSA phone bank.

The gentleman took the time to chat and heard the stress in my voice. He had a twitch in his eye that told him something and asked if I’d be willing to wait. Of course! After about 15 minutes, he came back on the line and told me there was indeed a problem, that my file was still on hold in the Anaheim field office, was slated to be released to the Determination Department the first week of May, but it never happened. The only fix, to call the office. So I did.

Several calls, arguments and threats from my caseworker and my case was released – as it should have been months ago, to the next level.

The local office admitted no wrongdoing and refused to expedite my case to make ip for time lost.

3 more months, timer ticking up again, phone calls revealing nothing. I finally got the 50 page questionnaire and immediately sent it in. I called to verify it was received. Yes, but they need medical documents. My provider had sent, but I had them send again.

December 10th I call and am told, again, they have no medical documentation. I have them send again. I am scheduled for a mental health evaluation, so I think we’re finally on track.

Jan 3, 2024 and I’ve had enough. I contacted my U.S. Congressman for help. Within 24 hours, the Anaheim office calls me and assures me they will get to the bottom of it. Later that afternoon she calls back and says that after repeated attempts, they will close my case if they don’t receive my medical documents within 24 hours.

Email is not an option unless you are the medical provider. It is either print it out or fax. 2147 pages. I tried explaining logic to her, but no, that’s the only way. So I downloaded a program and proceeded to fax 2147 pages in 10 page blocks. All night.

I called the next morning. Was told I can only speak to my caseworker. The one from last year who threatened me. Luckily, he couldn’t remember that far. While I was on the phone with him, you could tell he was frustrated with his computer. He asked who told me to fax and why? And then told me that yes, they indeed received them but he wasn’t sure why - because my provider sent the file in July, October and December.

He put a note to the determination case worker to please rush. When the manager called back, she said 2 weeks Tops. In 2 weeks, I called the determination case worker. She, without looking me up, said she already released my file.

Late February, my congressman emailed me for a follow-up. They were flabbergasted this was not over yet. 48 hours later the determination case worker called me - the one who ‘released’ my file a month earlier – and did an interview, claiming she never spoke to me.

And, of course, last week I got the denial.

When I called inquiring if it was complete, the caseworker asked my file date three times. She was stunned to silence. They are currently processing applications filed in August. Under her breath, she told me this was totally botched and I needed to talk to someone.

So began round 2, the reconsideration. Only this time with representation.

Briefly, 5 more months of exactly the same, revealing nothing.

On Aug 9th,2024 I received my second determination letter from the SSA. One that you could hold up to your pet goldfish and get a ‘DISABLED’ response. It listed everything my doctors stated. That I have no use of my hands, that I can’t walk, that my cognative abilities aren’t there anymore. BUT…. They determined I am not disabled enough to not find gainful employment and denied me once again.

So that leaves me where I am right now. I have used up all of my savings, I have family tapped out, I have utilized community resources to help with bills. But it’s just not enough. My property manager has been an angel – but I understand there comes a time when a business needs to be run.

Tony, my partner, was working, but now is the most wonderful full time caregiver for me. My night terrors have increased and my memory loss is now nightly. I need a walker to get around and daily chores are a struggle.

The next appeal is a hearing in front of a judge. My attorney is confident we’ll win. But, the SSA won’t schedule that hearing for a minimum of 10 months from now.

I don’t wish the SSA on my worst enemy.

I thank you for reading this far and donating anything you can.