SSI and update

Because of the divorce and our financial status change, last month I applied for SSI for Ricky for the first time since he was a baby (we were turned down back then for having more than one car and some money in savings -- but now neither of these is the case). I know that CF is already considered a disability by Social Security, at least according to the intake worker I spoke with on the phone, and I completed a mountain of paperwork and signed consents for them to get information from his doctors as well as his schools in regard to his other disabilities, which include learning issues and bipolar disorder. I was told that it could take up to 6 months for a determination.

The latest thing that has happened is that I got letters on Friday ordering Ricky to go to a physical examination and mental examination by a local doctor hired by the state, I guess to see for themselves what his disabilities are. The logistics of getting to these appointments is complicated because they scheduled one for a weekday morning when he is at school, and the other for a Wednesday evening when he has a standing group therapy appointment (at least for the next six weeks). I called to have the appointments changed (at least the evening one -- although I'll need to miss work to bring him to the morning one, and pay for day care for Misty) and the caseworker (a different one, at a central office in another part of the state) was really stern with me about how they would be reluctant to change these ever again, and that they have little control over how the appointments are set. What a screwed up system... Apparently they expect you to drop everything and go to their appointments even though they ask for no input as to when you are available. I understand the need for an independent evaluation of a person's health and mental status, but jeez!

Later in the day today, a person from the clinic called and said that they had a cancellation and can see Ricky tomorrow night, at 7! This would be after his individual and group therapy... A bit late since he usually goes to bed by 8, but we can swing it.

I wondered if anyone out there can help with this stuff? What should we expect at these appointments? I mean, aside from my bringing his list of meds, how are they going to tell if he has CF or decreased lung function or whatever just from a physical exam? Do they do spirometry? Or, what other kinds of tests? The mental exam, I am pretty sure I know what that will be like, maybe some learning and cognitive testing and some questions asked to Ricky and me about his functioning and understanding. Anything else I should expect? Also curious about how long it will take, of course.

If anyone can offer any insight, I'd appreciate it!

As for Ricky, he is doing really well. He takes his last dose of Prednisone on Thursday morning. He has been sounding a little nasal, which could be due to a sinus infection, but time will tell. Overall he is more active and happy and doing great in general, which is a huge relief. We dodged the hospital bullet!

Last night I uploaded Misty's pony pictures (taken on Sunday) to Flickr. That prompted me to go back and find the boys' pony pictures, and I found them in an old backup. That included this one of Ricky, taken when he was four years old. It turned out that he was admitted to the hospital that day, and he also had sinus surgery around a month later. (Edited a few minutes later to add: You can also see that his left eye crosses a little bit. Later that same year he got glasses and a patch to correct the lazy eye... Still wears glasses but no more lazy eye now!)


Okay, when did he stop being that little boy!?

(If you click through, you can see the rest of his pony pictures and also those of Andrew and Misty.)