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One of the reasons I have been having so much difficulty in finding a job is that the joint problems I have in my knees, ankles and feet limit the kinds of jobs I can take. Most of the readily available menial jobs in Bellingham -- fast food, retail, custodial, day labour -- are not jobs that I can do, because they require standing for long periods of time, and walking, bending and squatting a lot. I'm capable of working desk jobs -- within the limits of my mental health issues -- but those jobs are very hard to come by in the current job market. As I am fond of saying, I graduated from university at the end of August, just in time for the economy to tank.
I have known for a couple of years that I have degenerative osteoarthritis in my knees, which will eventually have to be replaced. I also have had acute foot and ankle problems for over a decade, which are caused by a combination of my height/weight, and the fact that my legs didn't grow in exactly straight -- I pronate when I walk, which means I tend to walk on the outsides of my feet, wearing down the heels of my shoes unevenly. This causes progressive distortion of my feet and ankles over time, as my feet and ankles compensate for the pronation. I also have flat feet (plantar fasciitis). The foot and ankle problems are corrected (mostly) by custom-made orthotics, which enable me to walk -- albeit at a rather slow pace -- and minimize the frequency at which I need to replace my shoes. But standing for an 8-hour work shift is just not possible for me at this point.
Until today, however, DSHS didn't have any proof of this, that my joint condition was affecting my ability to get physical work. I was focused on working with my mental disabilities, and was not attempting to get help for the physical ones.
When I attempted to go back on disability a couple of months ago, I mentioned the joint problems to my social worker, and she gave me a referral to the local free clinic for an evaluation. It took me almost two months to get an appointment, but I finally got in this morning.
The PA who looked over my medical records and examined me concurred, that I was incapable of doing jobs that required constant standing and walking, and is sending the evaluation to DSHS that I am only capable of sedentary work. This is fantastic news, because if I can get state disability payments reinstated, I will be able to pay my rent, and I can seek eviction prevention assistance from the Opportunity Council for the back rent I owe.
Then I'd have a some relief from my financial crunch, so I could stay where I am while I keep looking for suitable work.
She also is making a referral for me to a podiatrist which accepts Medicaid, in order for me to have new orthotics made -- because my current ones are starting to fall apart and are becoming more of a hindrance than a help. And she is also referring me to a physical therapist, to help me strengthen the muscles around the joints, to provide better support.
Here's hoping this is the light at the end of the tunnel!
I have known for a couple of years that I have degenerative osteoarthritis in my knees, which will eventually have to be replaced. I also have had acute foot and ankle problems for over a decade, which are caused by a combination of my height/weight, and the fact that my legs didn't grow in exactly straight -- I pronate when I walk, which means I tend to walk on the outsides of my feet, wearing down the heels of my shoes unevenly. This causes progressive distortion of my feet and ankles over time, as my feet and ankles compensate for the pronation. I also have flat feet (plantar fasciitis). The foot and ankle problems are corrected (mostly) by custom-made orthotics, which enable me to walk -- albeit at a rather slow pace -- and minimize the frequency at which I need to replace my shoes. But standing for an 8-hour work shift is just not possible for me at this point.
Until today, however, DSHS didn't have any proof of this, that my joint condition was affecting my ability to get physical work. I was focused on working with my mental disabilities, and was not attempting to get help for the physical ones.
When I attempted to go back on disability a couple of months ago, I mentioned the joint problems to my social worker, and she gave me a referral to the local free clinic for an evaluation. It took me almost two months to get an appointment, but I finally got in this morning.
The PA who looked over my medical records and examined me concurred, that I was incapable of doing jobs that required constant standing and walking, and is sending the evaluation to DSHS that I am only capable of sedentary work. This is fantastic news, because if I can get state disability payments reinstated, I will be able to pay my rent, and I can seek eviction prevention assistance from the Opportunity Council for the back rent I owe.
Then I'd have a some relief from my financial crunch, so I could stay where I am while I keep looking for suitable work.
She also is making a referral for me to a podiatrist which accepts Medicaid, in order for me to have new orthotics made -- because my current ones are starting to fall apart and are becoming more of a hindrance than a help. And she is also referring me to a physical therapist, to help me strengthen the muscles around the joints, to provide better support.
Here's hoping this is the light at the end of the tunnel!
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You can do it sweety!!
i wish i was there to give you real hugs.
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*sets up future nag routine for Kevyn to go to his PT*
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