Well, I have been officially labeled as disabled, finally!

[Lyric]

Last edited Mon Nov 28, 2016, 06:25 PM - Edit history (3)

My psychiatrist says that my PTSD and panic disorder are severe enough to qualify me as disabled. Still working on the physical disability designation, but I am praying that this is enough to start qualifying for SSI. At least until/unless Trump and the Nightmare Squad kill the program. It's been a long struggle for my family, and an expensive one when I lost my ability to bring in income to help with bills and expenses. I can now apply for a TANF check until my SSI gets approved, or at least that is my hope. I *should* qualify since I have zero income of my own, I am not married, and I am basically living on the charity and kindness of the people who take care of me.

Of course, that doesn't help much right now, so if anyone is looking for a kid to "adopt" for Christmas, my teenage son could use some DU love.

LyricKid is an incredibly talented young guitarist--a total natural who has taught himself and grown leaps and bounds in skill and talent from the first moment he ever touched a guitar, roughly 2 years ago. He has a beaten-up six-string acoustic guitar, but I can't afford to buy him what he wants most--a good quality 12 string acoustic or acoustic/electric hybrid guitar. I can't even afford to get him a crappy one, to be honest. And that is literally the ONLY thing he has asked me for. He says he doesn't mind getting something small and inexpensive, but it's breaking my heart. He puts up with so much and I have so little but love to give him...he deserves better than me.

There's one on Jet.com for $138 that LyricKid said he would like, but I know that it's just the cheapest one he could find. Still, it's better than no guitar at all! So if someone would like to get that for him, please PM me. I can prove my disability and lack of income if needed.

Also, if anyone knows anything about the programs that train and pay for service dogs for PTSD patients, please let me know? My psychiatrist thinks that a service dog might be extremely good for me, but I don't know much about the process of applying for one. It needs to be a *service* dog trained to stop flashbacks, interrupt nightmares and terrors, and to keep me warm, assisted, and safe through my severe panic attacks. I am not looking for an "emotional support" animal or a "therapy" animal. Those don't have the training and credentials I need.

Thanks all, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS

EDIT: I have $200 donated toward his guitar. I have found a Fender 12 string guitar online for $250. If anyone else can spare a $50, let me know!

Link to guitar: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-cd100-12-string-acoustic-guitar

Further edit: My Paypal address is [e-mail]. Feel free to send donations there. Anything more than what we need for his guitar will be put toward buying him a hard case and extra strings for it. LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Congrats on your new designation, my dear Lyric!

You have really been on the road from (or is it to?) hell!

I hope that this will lead to all good things, and put your life on a much better and happier path!

[Lyric]

2. I am hoping for the same, Peggy.

It's been very hard for all of us, and mental illnesses carry such a huge stigma. But mine are the result of severe abuse, neglect, and rape when I was young, and unfortunately that trauma is too severe and too longstanding to be "cured". The best I can hope for is management through meds and avoiding triggers.

*hugs* I love you to pieces Peggy. You know why.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Loveya back!

[Rhythm]

7. ...

[Lyric]

10. My sentiments exactly.

I told her we were both in tears last night...

[Lyric]

4. Kicking for my baby

[barbtries]

5. a google search for ptsd service dog

brought more responses than i can post here. good luck, they are definitely out there.

[arithia]

6. much

PTSD and anxiety disorders (such as GAD) are indeed enough for a permanent disability qualification. These disorders change the physiological structure of your brain, not to mention function. They *are* physical.

As someone who got her disability in 6 months vs the normal 2 years I offer this bit of unsolicited advice- call them. Frequently. Multiple times a week. Crawl so far up their butts about your status that they pass you just to get you out of their in box. It was the advice given to me by the rep when I first filed- the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

I know the demons of trauma and anxiety well. They are pernicious, creeping things that steal your life away, bit by bit. Hang in there and never feel that you aren't good enough or that your kiddo deserves better. Love alone is a whole hell of a lot more than a lot of kids get. Love + the dedication to keep trying in the face of mental health issues? That's some powerful stuff right there.

[Hekate]

8. Best of luck to you both in the New Year

[Lyric]

9. Thank you so much

I am feeling very cared-about tonight, I have to say...

[Lyric]

11. Thanks to everyone who has helped so far.

LyricKid got his Fender acoustic guitar AND a good quality hard case for it AND some accessories.

I have another son, too, if anyone else would like to help. The gift he wants is an Xbox One. I can buy one used at the local pawn shop, if I need to.

Love you all so incredibly much...