Mark's Story

I've worked hard all my life in the printing business and when I first got sick, I thought it was just temporary. But after sixteen months of doctor’s visits and two hospitalizations with all kinds of tests and biopsies, I was finally diagnosed with Wegener's Disease. I knew that my career in printing was over.

I tried to take on other odd jobs that friends of mine arranged but my symptoms limited me. I was tired all the time and could only sit up for part of a day. As my disease progressed, it was obvious that I could no longer work at any job that I could think of---and that was really depressing.

Actually it was my doctor who suggested I contact a social security disability attorney to help me apply for benefits. She told me that my condition was disabling but complicated and that it would probably take an expert to help me present my information. When I told my doctor that I couldn't afford an attorney, she told me to look for one who took cases on a contingency. That way, I only had to pay a portion of my back benefits if I was awarded disability.

Well, my disease is continuing to limit my ability to do any of the things I really like to do, including work. But the good news is that my attorney was successful. He helped me get the benefits I qualified for, including some health insurance, food stamps and minimum cash assistance until my disability checks started arriving. What a difference that has made in helping me get the medical attention I need and money to pay for my rent and food.

You know, when you're young and working, you never think twice about losing your ability to work. Then you find yourself ten or fifteen years from retirement and suddenly things have changed and you can't work. Thank heavens for the great service my attorney did for me in helping me obtain disability benefits so that I could continue to provide for my family and myself.

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