Don't really know what to do now...

[Trista80]

I was diagnosed on my daughters first birthday January 14th of this year. I have extreme fatigue, balance issues, Optic Neuritus,back pain, IBS, incontinence, etc. The MRI showed three lesions on my right side and the LP showed evidence too. However, I am unable to get disablity because they don't consider me disabled enough. It's really hard to prove fatigue and muscle weakness from what my lawyer says. I appealed and it will take several years to get a hearing with my lawyer. In the meantime, I can't work and I am now pregnant with my second child. A wonderful surprise and blessing but a completely seperate facet to my financial issues. My husband works so hard and we are barely making it. He's had the same job for ten years. But we fall under the "Very low income" bracket the USDA Housing Rep said. I applied for a Housing Loan from them and am waiting to see if they will help us. Losing hope though! We have no expendable income right now. I'm kind of pissed I can't get help. I'm 30 and have been working since I was 13. I paid into all of these programs my whole life and so far we can only get food stamps (barely enough for a week of food). What can I do? For me? for my family? to change the course of our future? I'm enrolling in college for art. That way even though I can't work at least I can give me and my family some enrichment and fulfillment in our lives while I still can use my hands. Has anyone else gone through this? What can I do??

[jimmylegs]

sorry to hear of your troubles you're not alone dealing with this disease and financial issues at the same time. i'm sure there will be a TIMS member in the US that will chime in with some words of wisdom. welcome to TIMS lots of ppl here to help