SSDRC: 1/6/08 - 1/13/08

Thursday, January 10, 2008

A great family blog

I just thought I'd throw this in because it is a great example of how blogs can be used to chronicle the events of one's life or family life. In my opinion, this blog truly exemplifies the spirit of blogging. And the photos are quite interesting. The nature photos look very good and some of the family information really has that picture-postcard look, i.e. real americana.

It's really as they say: a picture says a thousand words. And by that reckoning, this one blog says quite a bit.

A great family photo album online

Crystal Angel

This website is a personal website/blog created for anyone affected by MS and/or Transverse Myelitis. The site was created by Crystal Nason-Rivera, a forty year old female from Georgia who has Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and Transverse Myelitis.

The website/blog rings the tone of most personal websites, with a guestbook, twice monthly newsletter and personal stories.

Crystal shares her own MS story, tells about her experiences throughout her own battle and is an advocate of LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone).

In addition to personal experiences the site offers a variety of links, articles and videos about the diseases, drugs, pharmaceutical companies and online support groups, forums and chatrooms.

For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center

Additional Resources

Who handles my case if I apply for Social Security disability?
What is DDS, or disability determinations services ?
How do you appeal if you are denied for Social Security disability ?
How do I check the status of my Social Security disability claim ?
Should I apply for social Security disability or SSI disability ?
What is the difference between Social Security disability and SSI?

Modern Veterans

Modernveterans.com, also known as Veterans of Modern Warfare (VMV), is a comprehensive resource center for recent war veterans. According to the website their purpose is to support war veterans and their families by providing education and information about benefits earned and assistance in obtaining those benefits.

The site has several sections, from a job board for vets and information on events, hearings and legislation, to separate sections for women, families and children. The site appears to be updated frequently and has information about local and national chapters, weekend retreats and resources for a variety of issues facing the veterans of today. Their newsletter is available online and can be obtained by subscribing.

The site also offers applications for membership for current active duty service members and any veteran of the United States Armed Forces who has served since August 2, 1990. These individual memberships are $25 a year. They also offer memberships for friends, families and supporters. Family memberships are $65 a year.

For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center

Additional Resources

Do you have to see a judge to get disability benefits ?
Where do I go to apply for disability ?
How often will my disability claim be reviewed ?
How long does it take to be approved for SSI disability ?
Do you get medical healthcare benefits with Social Security disability ?
Do you get medical health care coverage with SSI ?

Pathfinder Associates

Pathfinder Associates is comprised of Tony Langton and Spencer Mosley. Their website, pathfinderassociates.net, is the home of their business and teleseminars, and a place for vocational rehabilitation programs and agencies, workforce centers, employers and persons with disabilities to learn about their various consultations, trainings and technical assistance.

On the site I found many resources, from case studies and papers, to quick reference, publication and training materials. The site also offers an FAQ page about their services.

Most notable on the website is the information regarding their interactive teleseminars. It appears they can be a cross between phone conferencing, hand-outs, powerpoint presentations, online and audio instruction, as well as face-to-face consultation. This training is aimed at training staff that may be in need of practical information in a wide variety of employment settings.

According to their website, they will travel to implement these services and the teleseminars can be broadcasted with real-time captioning for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing, and can be customized to fit the client.

For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center

Additional Resources

How long does it take to get an SSI decision ?
Can you apply for disability on the basis of multiple health problems ?
What medical conditions can you apply for disability for ?
Can you get temporary Social Security disability or SSI benefits?
How long does it take to get a decision on Social Security disability ?
What medical conditions can you apply for disability for ?

Sunday, January 6, 2008

ODSCF - Forum Website

The Ontario Disability Support Community Forum website, odscf.com, is a useful place to go if you are currently receiving or applying for benefits in Ontario, Canada. The site offers articles, old news archives and late breaking news items that are updated daily, as well as several pages of informative resource links that are grouped into: Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD), Social Security Disability (SSDI), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW) and the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB).

Other than links, the site also has a couple interactive sections such as the community forum, a place to share experiences; the ListServe, an email based list that allows members to speak directly in a shared email environment: and a blog, Ontario Disability Support Community Blog. At this time the blog doesn’t appear to have been updated since November 2007.

As far as I can see, this website has extensive information available for Ontario residents to understand the complexities of disability programs. Be forewarned, some portions of the site require JavaScript.

For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center

Additional Resources
Process for approving Social Security disability
Social Security Disability - can benefits be stopped or cutoff ?
Approved for Social Security disability, how long does it take ?
Disability will my children receive benefits ?
Disability benefits, are children eligible ?
Your children, how do you apply for disability ?
Social Security disability benefits - how long can you receive ?
Social Security disability doctor visits
Apply for disability with a mental condition

ALS Care Project

The ALS/Neuromuscular Education Project, also known as The ALS Care Project for Lou Gehrig’s Disease, states on their website that they are a nonprofit organization with a mission of improving the care and management of ALS - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Their website, alscareproject.org, offers many pages of articles and resources for understanding ALS, physical care, respiratory management and how to cope, as well as spiritual care, home care and a long list of abstracts on ALS.

The website also offers an extensive list of resources for national and international ALS Associations and ALS Centers.

The site has a section called ‘ASL Research’, which is planned for the future.

For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center

Additional Resources
Multiple sclerosis and Social Security Disability
Social Security disability cases approved for back pain
Qualify for Social Security disability with heart attack
Lupus and Social Security disability
Bipolar Disorder Social Security Disability
Severe Condition - awarded Social Security disability
Social Security disability benefits how long?
Approved - How long to receive Social Security disability after?

Second Archive Page

Website for Dr. Teitelbaum

Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum is the director of The Annapolis Center for Effective CFS/Fibromyalgia Therapies and author of ‘From Fatigued To Fantastic!: A Manual For Moving Beyond Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia’. His website, jacobteitelbaum.com, offers information on Fibromyalgia for patients and physicians.

For patients, you’ll find resources, from a list of Usenet Newgroups, Websites and practitioners, to articles, frequently asked questions, along with a place to ask Dr. Teitelbaum your own questions. He publishes some of these questions and answers anonymously on his website and in his column “Vitality 101: CFS and Fibromyalgia Solutions” on Planetthrive.com, a grassroots community for wellness.

His site also offers an online computer program questionnaire that will automatically analyze your symptoms and offer you a detailed treatment program, but it is presently inactive.

There are two newsletters offered, CFS/FMS/Pain Therapies and Vitality 101.

For physicians and health care practitioners the site offers scientific research and studies, as well as a three-part certification program in a series of workshop CD’s. After completion, practitioners receive certification and are added to his referral list.

For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center

Additional Resources
Decision on a disability case
Disability claim denied
What is the process to file a Social Security Disability appeal?
Chances of winning disability benefits
Qualify for Social Security disability?
SSI different from Social Security Disability?
File for Social Security disability - mental disorder

SSDRC