Update 2
Today brought me some peace of mind. After spending a few weeks fidgeting nervously and waiting to hear from Vocational Rehab, I finally (with Jaimes' help) was able to get everything in the right place and go to my first appointment with the agency (Path Forward) that will be helping me look for a part-time job to work around my physical limitations. I filled out some paperwork, chatted with a nice lady about what I could and couldn't do, and some reasonable suggestions were made. I'm still worried about being hospitalized without warning, as that would be difficult to work through with any job, part-time or not, but I am hoping that with some money coming in I can at least pay for a much needed doctors visit to ensure I'm taking all of my meds correctly and taking care of myself.
A few weeks ago, my friend Rachel approached me with an out-of-the-box idea of writing my congressman, John Yarmuth, about my troubles with the SSA. I was on the fence about the idea, since I'm naturally mistrustful of politicians anyway, but Rachel pointing out that helping people get their SSA benefits is one of Mr. Yarmuths duties, as shown on his website. I went to go meet with one of his assistants. She took the details of my case, and I used up three extra sheets of paper in an angry rant to explain what happened. She was a nice lady, but I got the sense that there are an awful lot of people angry at the SSA right now and that there was only so much that she or Mr. Yarmuth could do. I've gotten a few letters from Mr. Yarmuths office since then updating me on the case. I'll probably have to take another medical exam, hopefully from someone who is an actual physician with a medical degree.
I'm thankful for John Yarmuth and his assistant, but the Social Security side of my issues still fills me with dread. After being lied to repeatedly, sent to a voodoo doctor for a check-up, and the looming budget cuts in social services on the horizon (as Fark constantly reminds me), I really don't think there's any hope that the SSA is going to treat my case with any kind of fairness. My therapist asked me during my last visit if I was nervous to go to my appointment with the job placement agency. I replied, "No, because this is not connected to the Social Security Administration." The people at Path Forward came off as empathic, resourceful, and trustworthy. I was excited to go there and meet with them, and they gave me a little bit of hope for the future. I feel like I actually have something to look forward now, instead of being a poor cripple in constant fear.
Do you have any idea what I'd be capable of if I could just reach some plateau of stability? I want that so badly.