For all those who think that our disability checks are some sort of hand out or a free ride. I am here to set the record straight. I had worked for 20 years before I was classified as disabled. I had a great job and was on my way up at my place of employment. I now am forced to live on about 25% of what I was making before. I have had to make hard choices about my living conditions, choices I should never have to make:
· I have to decide if I should get my medications or food.
· I have to decide if I can afford to do tests and procedures that my doctors order.
· I have to decide if I can afford to go into the hospital.
· If I have two doctor’s appointment, I have to choose which one is more urgent.
· I have to decide if I can afford simple things like clothes and shoes.
· I have to decide if I can pay my mortgage.
· I have to decide if I can pay my light bill.
· I have to decide if I can buy my kids a birthday present or a Christmas present.
Believe me when I say that for someone who is used to paying their own way it is a humiliating walk of shame that I maneuver every day. So if anyone thinks this is a free ride, you are dead wrong. The majority of us would rather be working than crying over a light bill each month.