How do you make it?

[beachcomber13]

I'm in kind of a bad place, mentally and physically. I am looking at going on Social Security Disability, and I check how much I will get. It's not enough to pay my mortgage, much less phone, utilities, medications, etc. How on earth do people survive?

I'm not married and have no family. The picture in my mind right now is losing my home and living in a shelter or something.

[doublevision1]

Do you have a local MS society and/or a social worker at your MS clinic? These or similar community resources may be able to help you to work through making decisions without getting too overwhelmed. Alternately, is there someone in your life - a close friend or trusted relative - who could provide support and advice?

[HVAC]

I am so sorry you have to face all this. It must be terribly overwhelming. I would be scared, angry, depressed, and frustrated. I would also feel like I was facing all this alone. I know it does not matter much but we care.

Alex

[karryon55]

I guess I would turn that statement around and say homeless people manage being homeless the best they can because they have to. You aren't homeless though and I think you need to look at the situation without looking at the worst case scenario which I know can be hard if you have so much ahead of you that you are so uncertain of.

I'm thinking maybe ask your local chapter of MS Society for some assistance with planning all of this? It certainly wouldn't hurt especially if you explain that you are struggling with your cognition.

I'm really sorry for your situation. Maybe someone else will have some better ideas than I do. I can only base things on my life experience but as I said before this could be very different to others.

Take Care,

Karry.

[beachcomber13]

I guess you can say that we cope because we have to, but I think a lot of homeless people would say that it isn't always possible.

I am hesitant to go part-time, for two reasons. 1. I can't predict bad days, and they will sometimes happen on a day I am scheduled to work. 2. I think SSDI is based on your earnings for the last few years, and if I go part time, my earnings will be low. I don't want my SSDI to be even lower than it already is.

By mentally, I meant cognitively. Sorry I wasn't clear. It's overwhelming for me to try to figure out where I can move to, how to set it up, packing, and of course how to pay for it when I won't have money coming in. It all involves research and planning, which I've become bad at. Used to be a strength. This brain damage really damages the brain.

But of course emotionally I am not doing well, what with these worries. And I get stressed about having to do all of this when I can already barely keep up with work, and I am letting things slide, like figuring out where the heck my neurologist is. He said he was moving to another hospital, but I don't hear back from them. I need to call the previous hospital, but I haven't gotten around to it. Task overload.

BC

[karryon55]

I'm really sorry for your situation and I hope you find some solution other than selling your home or becoming homeless. As I live in a different country this may not apply to your circumstances but I have been on disability benefits for at least 14 years now.

I had a very short career really as my rheumatoid arthritis was quite debilitating & the DMD's for this made me very immunocomprimised. I didn't choose this life as I was always a person to want a nice marriage with children and the whole house with a white picket fence but this was obviously never meant to be.

I have never owned a home and have always rented which I know will never change. I have learnt to not want for much really and budget carefully with every cent. I don't have credit cards mainly due to the interest payments involved and I only purchase something if I have the money available. If I know I have a bill on its way I will go without.

I know things are different the world around and what I get may be nothing like what you may get from benefits but my point is that you will manage because you have to. It's a bit like someone asking how you cope with having MS and RA...all I can say is I have to because that is my life.

I do know that making big decisions when you are not mentally stable is never a good idea. I know this all too well. You need to consider your options before going onto benefits with things like if part time work is available or a different type of work? If you will have insurance cover and if the local chapter of MS Association can financially assist with medications?

I spend a lot of time applying for what I can get and making lots of phone calls to try and get something like a four wheel walker. I've been working on the 4 wheel worker at my local hospital for over a year now but I won't give up. They say I have an electric wheelchair already so I'm not entitled so I say well that's crazy because not everyone who uses a wheelchair cannot walk. So they are trying to get the funding for me. It just takes time and lots of reminders to them to keep at it.

I hope this helps a little. Please don't give up.

Take Care,

Karry.

[HVAC]

I know it is tough. Are you still working?  You are in atough situation.

Alex