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Stacy Kannenberg

Posted Tuesday, August 19, 2008 5:02 PM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Sunday, July 19, 2009 4:01 PM
Posts: 9, Visits: 30

Hello...I'm new here. I'm Stacy, and I'm 22. I was diagnosed with RA about 3 weeks ago. At this point, I'm on the waiting list for a Rheumatologist. I have no medical insurance whatsoever, so I have to wait for one that is covered by charity assistance. Therefore, I have not been treated and been couch ridden for months. I'm sure you can relate.

I've had this nearly 3 years and I've been unable to work. Or at least, I probably shouldnt have been working and I forced myself to even though it made me more miserable than i had to be. I had fractured my feet 3 years ago, and had been in a boot FOREVER. Little did we know it RA emerging. Anyway, it started in my feet. I worked as a counselor for about a year. Getting up and down and walking around the office was painful - but more importantly it triggered RA in my knee. Pretty soon it was too much, and I quit. I haven't worked since May mainly because my condition is worsening. Its spread to my hands and shoulders now. I go to school still, and i've been living off student loans and money i don't have lol. I barely made it through last semester, half the time i couldnt get to class. Writing is also a challenge. I'm really worried about that - the semester starts next week and I'm a lot worse then I was spring semester. Getting around and concentrating on something other than the pain is what is worrying me.

I applied for food stamps and the medical card yesterday. I was denied because I am a student. Yes, ridiculous. My family is completely non understanding of this. They just think I'm being lazy, even with the doctors diagnosis. So they don't help me other than letting me live with them, which is hell, and they want me out anyway. I've lived with my aunt and uncle since high school, they never liked that.

I want to apply for disability. I am worried that I wont get it because of my age. I was told to hire a disability lawyer rather than apply myself. I think I'll have to do that based on the fact that I'm 22. I was just wondering if there are many others my age who got disability? What did you have to go through to get it? Does anyone have any advice for this? Anything would be appreciated! Thanks so much!

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