The CDA is a non-profit organization committed to informing and educating the American public about the widespread and growing frequency of disability, and the financial impact it can have.

Since it began in 2005, the Council for Disability Awareness has engaged in communications, research and education about disability. A large part of our mission is providing helpful resources and information to wage earners, their families, the media, employers and anyone concerned about disability and the devastating impact it can have on the finances and lifestyle of American families.

Our mission is:

• To expand public awareness of the growing likelihood of disability occurring among the working population;
• To increase public knowledge about the financial hardship that disability can have on wage earners and their families;
• To demonstrate the value of planning responsibly in the event disability prevents one from earning a living.

Our client’s condition took many months to properly diagnose, and surgery was eventually needed. Physical therapy was also required for many weeks following the surgery. Parsonage-Turner syndrome is not a disease that is included in Social Security’s Listing of impairments. The Administrative Law Judge assigned to hear our client’s case gave significant weight, however, to the treating physician’s medical source opinion and to the side effects of our client’s prescribed medications.

Even though the medical expert present at the hearing did not give an opinion that our client was disabled, the judge gave greater weight to the treating physician’s opinion and found our client was disabled.

About the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It was founded in 1967 by Irwin M. and Suzanne Rosenthal, William D. and Shelby Modell, and Henry D. Janowitz, M.D.

Four decades ago, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation created the field of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis research. Today, the Foundation funds cutting-edge studies at major medical institutions, nurtures investigators at the early stages of their careers, and finances underdeveloped areas of research. Educational workshops and symposia, together with our scientific journal, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, enable medical professionals to keep pace with this rapidly growing field. No wonder the National Institutes of Health has commended the Foundation for “uniting the research community and strengthening IBD research.”

About Us

Although Social Security implemented changes in its “Malignant Neoplastic Diseases” criteria in November of 2009, determining disability as a result of cancer can still be difficult. In many cases, extra time is needed for Social Security to decide whether or not disability may be granted. This is due in part to the large number of treatment options available for most cancers. Often, combinations of treatments are prescribed and rotated, enabling deferment of a decision until treatment options have been exhausted (13.00E3). Additionally, if symptoms can be attributed to “temporary” reactions to cancer-treating drugs, a disability decision may be deferred until these symptoms subside and allow for clear judgment based solely on the presence or absence of debilitating cancer (13.00G3). These symptoms resulting from therapies can last up to a year and, in some cases, even longer.

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Disability Issues

Although it may seem that Hodgkin’s affects only young adults, there are many individuals over the age of 55 who suffer from the condition. Males aged 45 and older are at risk for diminished success in treating Hodgkin’s, which is generally considered to be a highly treatable cancer. Challenges that prevent these individuals from receiving disability can be severely detrimental to both health and financial viability.

When attempting to collect Social Security disability benefits based on cancerous diseases, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma can be especially difficult. If it reappears over twelve months after completion of treatment, Social Security considers Hodgkin’s a new disease rather than a recurrence (13.00K1c).  This can be frustrating, as a new disease often takes longer than a recurrence to receive a disability decision. Initial disability may also take a year to obtain, as Hodgkin’s must resist treatment for twelve months in order to merit disability. The only other option is to undergo a bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, which secures disability for at least twelve months following the procedure.

Bio: Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She often can be found blogging about general education issues as well as information on college scholarships. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

The basic change is that veterans will no longer be required to provide evidence of the specific incident that caused their PTSD symptoms, but will have to prove only that they were serving in an area that was exposed to potential incidents. The change seems to be aimed mainly at troops who served in non-combat roles, but should benefit anyone filing for PTSD benefits.

In the United States, 5.3 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and a new individual is diagnosed with the disease every 70 seconds. Unless something is done, by 2050, up to 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s, and a new case will be diagnosed every 33 seconds.

The Brown family reunion has always been an event everyone looks forward to. Family visits, games, stories and everyone’s favorite foods are always on the agenda. On the top of the menu is Grandmas Lemon Coconut Cake. Grandma always makes the traditional cake from her old family recipe. This year, however, the cake tasted a little on the salty side, perhaps a half cup full of salty.

Though the family was disappointed over the cake, of more concern was Grandma’s confusion with the recipe and her similar confusion about the loved ones around her. Could something be wrong with grandma’s mental state?

One might say that for an elder person a little forgetfulness or confusion is normal, but when do you know if there is a serious problem, such as dementia?

An online article from FamilyDoctor.org outlines some common symptoms in recognizing dementia.

“Dementia causes many problems for the person who has it and for the person’s family. Many of the problems are caused by memory loss. Some common symptoms of dementia are listed below. Not everyone who has dementia will experience all of these symptoms.

• Recent memory loss. All of us forget things for a while and then remember them later. People who have dementia often forget things, but they never remember them. They might ask you the same question over and over, each time forgetting that you’ve already given them the answer. They won’t even remember that they already asked the question.
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People who have dementia might cook a meal but forget to serve it. They might even forget that they cooked it.
  Problems with language. People who have dementia may forget simple words or use the wrong words. This makes it hard to understand what they want.
• Time and place disorientation. People who have dementia may get lost on their own street. They may forget how they got to a certain place and how to get back home.
  Poor judgment. Even a person who doesn’t have dementia might get distracted. But people who have dementia can forget simple things, like forgetting to put on a coat before going out in cold weather.
• Problems with abstract thinking. Anybody might have trouble balancing a checkbook, but people who have dementia may forget what the numbers are and what has to be done with them.
• Misplacing things. People who have dementia may put things in the wrong places. They might put an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. Then they can’t find these things later.
• Changes in mood. Everyone is moody at times, but people who have dementia may have fast mood swings, going from calm to tears to anger in a few minutes.
  Personality changes. People who have dementia may have drastic changes in personality. They might become irritable, suspicious or fearful.
• Loss of initiative. People who have dementia may become passive. They might not want to go places or see other people.”

Dementia is caused by change or destruction of brain cells. Often this change is a result of small strokes or blockage of blood cells, severe hypothyroidism or Alzheimer’s disease. There is a continuous decline in ability to perform normal daily activities. Personal care including dressing, bathing, preparing meals and even eating a meal eventually becomes impossible.

What can family members do if they suspect dementia? An appointment with the doctor or geriatric clinic is the first step to take. Depending on the cause and severity of the problem there are some medications that may help slow the process. Your doctor may recommend a care facility that specializes in dementia and Alzheimer’s. These facilities offer a variety of care options from day care with stimulating activities to part or full-time live-in options. Sometimes if patients tend to wander off, a locked facility is needed.

In the beginning family members find part time caregivers for their loved one. At first, loved ones need only a little help with remembering to do daily activities or prepare meals. As dementia progresses, caregiving demands often progress to 24 hour care. Night and day become confused and normal routines of sleeping, eating and functioning become more difficult for the patient. The demented person feels frustrated and may lash out in anger or fear. It is not uncommon for a child or spouse giving the care to quickly become overwhelmed and discouraged.

Family gatherings provide an excellent opportunity to discuss caregiving plans and whole family support. It is most helpful if everyone in the family is united in supporting a family caregiver in some meaningful way.

“The first step to holding a family meeting, and perhaps the most difficult one, is to get all interested persons together in one place at one time. If it’s a family gathering, perhaps a birthday, an anniversary or another special event could be used as a way to get all to meet. Or maybe even a special dinner might be an incentive.

The end of the meeting should consist of asking everyone present to make his or her commitment to support the plan. This might just simply be moral support and agreement to abide by the provisions or it is hoped that those attending will volunteer to do something constructive. This might mean commitments to providing care, transportation, financial support, making legal arrangements or some other tangible support.” The Four Steps of Long Term Care Planning

Professional home care services are an option to help families in the home. These providers are trained and skilled to help with dementia patients. Don’t forget care facilities as well. It may be the best loving care a family member can give is to place their loved one in a facility where that person is safely monitored and cared for.

The National Care Planning Council supports caregiving services throughout the country.
www.longtermcarelink.net

1817
The American School for the Deaf is founded in Hartford, Connecticut. This is the first school for disabled children anywhere in the Western Hemisphere.

Mission Statement

To provide a safe, clean beautiful environment free of economic barriers for special needs individuals of all ages.

Vision

Our vision at Morgan’s Wonderland is to establish a special place where  smiles and  laughter make wonderful memories with family members caregivers and friends.  Where the common element of play creates an atmosphere of inclusion for those with and without disabilities so everyone can gain a greater understanding of one another.