Sheena Timko's Story
i have club feetHello. My name is Sheena and I was born with severe bilateral clubfeet. I have been thru 13 surgeries, years of castings, crutches, wheel chairs and therapies. My last surgery was a triple arthrodesis in 1986. I do NOT recommend this to anyone. I lost most of my motion in my foot and I can not turn or twist my foot. I can not stand on my heel or toes. I suffer every day from intense pain. It feels like someone smashed my feet with a hammer or keep stabbing them with knives, every time I first stand up in the morning. My feet are in a lot of pain 24/7. I have to be on my feet a lot because I am raising 5 young children. Orthotics are not covered by my insurance. I can never run or do any sports because my feet give out and I fall or trip a lot just doing regular walking. My feet hurt to even walk on any unlevel ground(gardening or going to the park to watch my kids play baseball and soccer). I have had arthritis and tendonitis since age 13 in my feet. Do I qualify for any disablity or other help and if so, what steps do I need to follow to apply for disabilty? Do you have any other suggestions? Thank you.
Added on 23 May 2007
Comments
All times are in GMT -04:00Comment added by Linda on the Fri 27 June 2008 a 04:08am
If you get turned down for disability, keep trying. It takes 3 tries (rejection letters) before they will look at your paperwork. Then if they continue to deny you disability, it might be time to hire a lawyer.
Good luck.
Comment added by Bonnie on the Sun 7 October 2007 a 12:28am
Hi Sheena,
In leiu of hiring an attorney, try and locate a disability agency. This would be an agency who helps people with disabilities. Call your local social services department and ask them for an agency such as I described.
They will have not only people who you feel comfortable around (as most who work their will be people with disabilites!!)but they will have representatives that will help you with all your paperwork. They also often have attorney's who assist you and they do not charge.
Good Luck,
Bonnie
Comment added by Rita on the Wed 27 June 2007 a 11:41am
I also have severe bilateral clubbed feet. I read your story and wanted you to know that I am going through the same thing. I am right now trying to get my disablity. What you need to do is go to the Social Security office and sign up for disablity. Then they will send you to one of THEIR docters to see if you really have a disability which is uncomfortable emotionally. Then you will receive a letter in the mail from the Social Security board letting you know if you have been accepted or not for disablity benefits. IF you get turned down for disablity benefit, you then need to go and hire a lawyer to fight your disablity case. You don't have to pay the lawyer up front. The lawyer will get a percentage of your disablity backpay only if you are accepted for disablity benefits. Email me anytime!