Category Archives: Disability

Increasing Demand and Declining Funds for the Mentally Ill in North Texas

Written On September 21, 2009 By Bob Kraft

The current economic crisis has resulted in many more North Texans seeking taxpayer-funded mental health care as people lose both their jobs and, with it, health insurance.  At the same time, the company that runs the state program is preparing to cut its budget. Demand has increased by about 17 percent since July 2008 and [...]

Posted in Disability, Social Security Disability

ALS and Social Security Disability

Written On September 15, 2009 By Bob Kraft

A number of our Social Security Disability clients suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Individuals suffering from this disorder frequently experience the following symptoms:

weakness in the hand, foot, arm, or leg,

difficulty speaking and swallowing, and

difficulty walking.

The course of prescribed treatment can include night-time breathing assistance, a prescription of Riluzole [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources, Social Security Disability

PTSD and Social Security Disability

Written On September 2, 2009 By Bob Kraft

A number of our Social Security Disability clients suffer from post-traumatic-stress-disorder or PTSD. Individuals suffering from this disorder frequently experience the following symptoms:

re-experiencing symptoms (for example, a car backfire reminds a veteran of gunfire from battle),

avoidance of situations that remind a person of the traumatic event (for example, avoiding television shows with natural disasters [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources, Social Security Disability, Veterans Benefits

New Lupus Drug on the Horizon

Written On July 23, 2009 By Bob Kraft

Lupus is a disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, causing damage to the joints, blood vessels, skin, lungs, and heart. The disease more frequently affects women, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians. Steroids have frequently been used to treat symptoms such as joint pain in lupus patients, but for over [...]

Posted in Disability, Social Security Disability

When Sonia Sotomayor Talks, Disability Groups Listen

Written On July 18, 2009 By Bob Kraft

One of our Houston Social Security disability clients finally got his checks started a few weeks ago. He was talking with our office, and he asked attorney Matthew Stewart about Matt’s thoughts on Sonia Sotomayor and whether she would be sensitive to the needs and concerns of those suffering from a disability. Michelle Diament has [...]

Posted in Disability, Political and/or Judicial, Social Security Disability

Heart Attack and Social Security Disability

Written On July 15, 2009 By Bob Kraft

A number of our Social Security Disability clients have suffered from heart attacks. Individuals suffering from this disorder frequently experience the following symptoms:
∙ shortness of breath,
∙ chest pain, and
∙ dizziness.
The course of prescribed treatment can include physical therapy, medications, and, in some cases, a stent placement. While not all individuals who have been diagnosed with [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources, Social Security Disability

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Social Security Disability

Written On July 14, 2009 By Bob Kraft

A number of our Social Security Disability clients suffer from the relatively rare Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. This is a disorder of the connective tissue, and it is hereditary. Individuals suffering from this disorder frequently experience the following symptoms:
∙           loose joints or “double joints,”
∙           small, fragile blood vessles, and
∙           abnormal scar formation or wound healing.
The course of [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources, Social Security Disability

Keeping Mom and Dad Safe at Home

Written On May 15, 2009 By Bob Kraft

Generally, elderly parents want to remain living in their own home. However, remaining in the home becomes a concern when children see their parents slowing down, perhaps even having trouble with handling stairs and doing general daily activities. Yet, with parents’ mental and physical health currently not creating problems, there seems to be no imminent [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources, Uncategorized

Featured Link – Caring From A Distance

Written On May 15, 2009 By Bob Kraft

Caring From a Distance is a nonprofit organization created by men and women who personally struggled with the anguish, stress, and frustration of long distance care. Their strength lies in this shared experience and in bringing together our diverse backgrounds to help Caring From a Distance service and help unite the distance-care community. Here is [...]

Posted in Consumer Information, Disability, Featured Link, Medical and Health Resources

Dallas Arthritis Walk – Saturday, May 16th

Written On May 11, 2009 By Bob Kraft

Kraft & Associates is a proud sponsor of the 2009 Dallas Arthritis Walk this Saturday, May 16th. Participation in the Walk is free. For detailed information about the Walk, including time and location, please visit the Dallas Arthritis Walk Web site. Here is a summary from the site:

The Arthritis Walk® is the Arthritis Foundation’s annual [...]

Posted in Arthritis, Disability

Arthritis and Social Security Disability

Written On May 4, 2009 By Bob Kraft

A recent study shows that nearly 48 million Americans have a disability, which is a significant increase from the reported 2 million a decade ago. Arthritis tops the list as the most common cause of disability. It is expected that baby boomers will, as they age, cause a rise in the prevalence of arthritis by [...]

Posted in Arthritis, Disability, Social Security Disability

Long Distance Care Givers Receive Help

Written On April 14, 2009 By Bob Kraft

This guest article is from the National Care Planning Council:
Living
in a different city or state — miles from aging parents — can be very
difficult. Keeping in touch by telephone and making long trips to help
parents or aging relatives with their needs can be time consuming and
not nearly as effective as being available full time in [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources

Disabled People Hurt By the Social Security Backlog Need to Share Their Woes

Written On March 8, 2009 By Bob Kraft

The National Organization of Social Security Claimant’s Representatives (NOSSCR) is encouraging disabled people who have been impacted by the terrible Social Security disability hearings backlog to speak out. The Social Security Disability attorneys at our law firm are sustaining members of NOSSCR. We encourage everyone impacted by the backlog and the long wait to get [...]

Posted in Disability, Government, Social Security Disability

ERISA: License to Cheat, Lie, and Steal for the Disability Insurance Industry

Written On February 21, 2009 By Bob Kraft

The headline says it all in this Utah Bar Journal article.

Posted in Disability, Insurance Company or Government Misconduct

Texas AG Sues Company for Marketing Candy as Alzheimer Cure

Written On February 6, 2009 By Bob Kraft

According to the Austin Business Journal, the Texas Attorney General has filed suit against Nature’s Candy Inc. of Fredericksburgs for
deceptive trade practices and violations of the Texas Food, Drug and
Cosmetic Act in marketing their candy as being helpful to Alzheimer patients. Here are excerpts from the article:
According to the enforcement action, the defendants unlawfully
marketed their [...]

Posted in Consumer Information, Disability, Social Security Disability

Governor Declares Overhaul of State Schools for Disabled a Priority

Written On February 5, 2009 By Bob Kraft

I've written several times about the deplorable conditions in the Texas state schools for the disabled. Now the Dallas Morning News reports that Governor Rick Perry will declare protection of residents in state schools for the disabled a legislative emergency, a move that follows reports of widespread abuse and neglect and a broad federal investigation [...]

Posted in Disability, Government

Featured Link – Lupus Foundation of America

Written On January 20, 2009 By Bob Kraft

Support groups exist for almost every disabling condition. We were recently hired by an individual who needed help with a  Social Security disability appeal in a claim involving severe lupus. Because our firm speaks with many local support groups, we were able to give her a referral to the Lupus Foundation of America – North [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources, Social Security Disability

Texas – State Of Neglect, Part 2

Written On January 11, 2009 By Bob Kraft

I wrote recently about a continuing series in the Dallas Morning News, and how it reflected my loss of pride in my native state. The second of a four-part series is in the paper today, and continues to discuss in blunt terms the failing of Texas government to protect the weak, the needy, and the [...]

Posted in Consumer Information, Disability, Government, Insurance Company or Government Misconduct, Medicaid

Featured Link – Living With Diabetes

Written On January 8, 2009 By Bob Kraft

David Mendosa is a medical writer who has written and collected many excellent articles about living with diabetes. Check out his excellent Web site. My thanks to Tom Mighell for pointing out this resource.

Posted in Diabetes, Disability, Social Security Disability

Disability Resources For Social Security Disability Claimants

Written On January 7, 2009 By Bob Kraft

Last month we posted about how nearly any disease can be disabling if it is sufficiently severe. A good information resource for individuals with various disabilities is available from The U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes. As the Web site points out, a significant percentage of the population has some form of [...]

Posted in Disability, Medical and Health Resources, Social Security Disability