An Observation in the Neuro waiting room...

[Scooter24]

Jules A- thats 3 times now we have agreed, well said. I agree that some of these threads are closed way too soon. Not only do we have to support each other but sometimes we need as my dad called it "a smack upside our head" to look at things from a point of view other than our own. It doesn't always have to be hugs and roses.

[Tawanda]

Jules A- thats 3 times now we have agreed, well said. I agree that some of these threads are closed way too soon. Not only do we have to support each other but sometimes we need as my dad called it "a smack upside our head" to look at things from a point of view other than our own. It doesn't always have to be hugs and roses.

Uh-oh! Has this thread turned into yet another thread about closing threads? I agree that threads have been closed before their expiration date. However, I have seen some truly mean spirited trolls posting things that 99% of us would deem inappropriate and I am GRATEFUL to see those disappear. I do thank the moderators for cleaning these messes up so MSW can remain a civilized place.

Maybe this was one of those "all over the place threads", but I don't recall reading anything offensive...

[Thinkimjob]

Judge not, lest ye yourself be judged.
The girl you saw was probably scared to death and trying a little black humour.
I do it myself. Sometimes it works, sometimes it goes down like the proverbial.
You were probably feeling tense and anxious and not in the mood for it.
Ask yourself whether you're sure she was trying the scam a SSDI. If you're not, let it go.
Life's too short and potentially miserable to worry about it, either way.

[futurmil2b]

The thought that comes to my mind about this topic is.. you can't just read the book cover and assume what the book is all about.. you need to read the book.. in other words.. we can't judge a book by its cover. I also get my nails done, get my hair done and would continue to do so if I was receiving SSDI.

I still work full time with ms but I really wish I could get SSDI. Don get me wrong, I prefer to work but some days are more challenging than others.

However, most of what I am going through is not ms.. I am having menopausal issues and that's a REAL challenge all by itself. I am blessed thus far with my ms because it is not bad.. its "mild" . My last MRI (Nov 2011) show some lesions decreased (and this was without taking ms meds) but did show a new lesion but again, MRI showed "mild" But I decided to take Copaxone every other day... just started about a week ago.

Jay

Ms. Jay

[jumpinjiminy]

Honestly, I believe there are more people getting assistance that need it as opposed to cheaters. It seems to me the cheater issue has been hyped beyond all reason and only serves to perpetuate hate among the people that need to bind together to promote the cause.

I see it as a political strategy to divide and conquer the 'little people.' It also serves as a distraction that protects the real thieves of the tax system. None of this was an issue until someone coined the term 'welfare queens' as a justification for slashing funds for public assistance. It's all been rolling downhill ever since.

It saddens me, too, to see so much suspicion and hate cast against people who have probably been suffering in silence for years. I like to work on the assumption that we're all doing our best. Sure, there are crooks and bad people out there, but the majority are fine people who work until they just can't go anymore. That includes healthy folks too.

The problem is, we only hear about the worst apples in the bunch. This leads people to believe the problem is far bigger than it really is.

[kingrex]

My two cents here...

As an MRI technologist (please don't call us technicians), I see a lot of the sort of fakes/cheats being alluded to on this thread. But to my knowledge none of them are aspiring MS patients. I do hear fibromyalgia and RSD a lot, though. Basically, most people who are seeking a bogus disability are using chronic pain as the vehicle, because who can say with certainty that you're not in pain?

Please, though, don't get me wrong - I know about chronic pain personally, and it's not an automatic scam. I'm just saying that using MS as a vehicle with which to get a bogus disability is an unnecessary longshot, as there are many easier and proven ways to go about it.


rex

[jazzgirl]

I didn't get the feeling that this person was trying to run a scam on the doctor (at least not from what I read in the original post).

I did, however, get the feeling that the poor soul was looking for someone to connect with, but I wasn't there so I can't know for sure.

Look, I was given a provisional diagnosis long before MRI was even used for detection of ovoid-shaped lesions, yada, yada, yada. I had no interest in hearing that this doctor believed I had MS. I was 22 years old, pregnant with my one and only child, and a dancer. Seriously? Multiple sclerosis? I didn't want it. I went 14 years between my first episode (optic neuritis) and the big one that gave me my definite diagnosis. The years in between were filled with little things that were obviously neurological, but not one doctor could put it together for me.

My point here? No judging.

[Imagine]

One more thing

Hey guys; been a BAD week- spacicity, fatigue, blah,blah,blah. AND yeah, boo hoo hoo, ms emotional too b/c no one on this site said Happy Chanukah back to me. Now, I know I am not the only Jewish person on this site and I know that per my roman calendar it is christmas eve; watch this: MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!!!

Back to Biz- just wanted to add that for YEARS, I was told I had fibromyalgia. I even apologized to one specialist, after telling him that the diag was nothing more that a wastebasket diag of, " there is something wrong and since we don't know what it is, here's a name that will pacify patients." Poor man. He pulled out a large sketch of the human body w/pressure points circled and told me that it was the template used to diagnose.

This physician really believes in fibro as a concrete, working diagnosis. He is also very kind and has an awesome bedside manner. I told him he had convinced me. Perhaps it is a diag in and of itself... I doubt it. I also seriously doubt people w/that diag are making things up- and often, too often, GIVE UP; and suffer in lonley silence. That was my experience anyway... and I fought the disability thing tooth and nail.

Enough Already! Damn I'm tired

Seriously, HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND EMBRACE JOY WHERE EVER YOU FIND IT OR MAKE IT. THIS IS IT! IT'S YOUR LIFE, SO TAKE WHAT YOU GET... AND MAKE THE MOST OF IT. IT'S NOT A DRESS REHERSAL. Love and Light...
Shalom,
Suzanne

[jazzgirl]

Ohhh...Happy Chanukah, Suzanne!

[futurmil2b]

Honestly, I believe there are more people getting assistance that need it as opposed to cheaters. It seems to me the cheater issue has been hyped beyond all reason and only serves to perpetuate hate among the people that need to bind together to promote the cause.

I see it as a political strategy to divide and conquer the 'little people.' It also serves as a distraction that protects the real thieves of the tax system. None of this was an issue until someone coined the term 'welfare queens' as a justification for slashing funds for public assistance. It's all been rolling downhill ever since.

It saddens me, too, to see so much suspicion and hate cast against people who have probably been suffering in silence for years. I like to work on the assumption that we're all doing our best. Sure, there are crooks and bad people out there, but the majority are fine people who work until they just can't go anymore. That includes healthy folks too.

The problem is, we only hear about the worst apples in the bunch. This leads people to believe the problem is far bigger than it really is.

WELL PUT i LIKE YOUR TAGLINE...

Ms. Jay

[Imagine]

Ohhh...Happy Chanukah, Suzanne!

You're very kind By the way, Earnest Hemmingway is one of my heros and his quote that you use as your signature is one of my favorites. I have many inspirational and thought provoking quotes by Hemmingway all over my home; many books by and about him too. Be Well.
Shalom,
Suzanne

[kingrex]

I do still wonder what makes her think an MS diagnosis makes getting SSDI easy.

Maybe that's another detail the poster will provide shortly for further added perspective.

Seriously...I don't like to mistrust what I read on the Internet out of hand, but in truth, very few of us actually "know" one another. So when I read anecdotes like the one that began this thread, I weigh it against my own standard of what's believable. Others may disagree, but for my part, as it has developed, this tale just doesn't have the ring of truth.


rex

[jifr]

Wow. And double wow.

So, the original question boils down to how do you feel about the people who intentionally scam the system. People who are taking advantage of the system. It can and does happen on a daily basis. Billions of dollars are stolen by these kinds of people.

But, I guess that's not what people wanted to talk about here.

Really. Whether this girl was or was not in fear, on drugs, nervous or being coached did not serve the illustrative purpose it was intended to serve and the trial of judgement appears to have been more appetizing. That is quite... telling.

Never mind the details of judgement that you don't agree with or consider hateful (where on earth did that come from?!). This was not a hateful OBSERVATION. (At least, it wasn't to me. But I guess my statements have been judged to have been hateful for some reason).

Not that i have to justify my "observation" - I work in insurance. 1 out of every 10 claims seems to be outright fraud from the start. 3 out of 10 times or more, people take advantage of a real situation. (Try to get more than they are entitled to or exaggerate an actual injury) That costs everyone more. I see people taking advantage obviously more than the average Joe. So, knowing that it makes me as a professional and a MSer disheartened about some people... Wondering in such a forum how it makes others feel did not strike me as something that would cause such...whatever happened here!

Wow. And double wow.

What an eye opening experience.

[Imagine]

Sorry honey

I am so sorry that you came looking for support, and instead, felt attacked. Everyone who comes to this site, comes with their own issues and, well, moods.

I look at it this way- we come from so many different backgrounds and bring with us a wealth of information; like a huge jigsaw puzzle. Working together, the pieces connect and answer the questions/complete the puzzle.

You see 1 piece of the puzzle, as an insurance adjuster. I see another piece of the puzzle, as a Social Worker. I could go on, but you get the point.

IMO, no one w/ms should ever come here and feel like they've been ganged up on. I am truly sorry that that occured. You appear to be a very intelligent and kind person. You did an excellent job of clarifying your initial post. It seems to me that what happened after that, took on a life of its own, so to speak. People are just angry sweetie... angry about ms; angry about the way they are or are not being treated; angry about "the system;" angry about feeling like **** all of the time; angry about feeling lonley; angry about the way they see others being treated... and the list goes on.

I am here for you- as are the vast majority of those who visit this site. Please know that. Be Well.
Shalom,
Suzanne

[Bob698]

I guess the moral of the story is that we should keep an open mind.
I also have a beef with people who cheat the system, they make it rough for the folks who are honest. Then again, the system could also use some work.
Once upon a time I had Blue Cross/ Blue Shield but I lost it before I got sick. Should I feel mad that I helped fund someone's rhinoplasty or just sluff it off as bad timing?

We should be careful about basing ideas on appearance. If you ever get caught short there's always food stamps, right?
If you're single (no kids) and you're eligible for food stamps, in many states that's about all you're getting (no matter how much in taxes you paid into the system).
Try washing your clothes with a pot roast. Try cooking that pot roast without an oven. Forget soaps, detergents, or any kind of paper (like toilet paper). You don't need them as long as long as you have free food.

Like I said, both sides of the issue could use some work.