#138: How Do You Deal With Negative News?

Today on my Friend Feed I wrote, "Don't let negatives get you down."

After receiving depressing news today, I've fighting to not let the negative overcome my normal positive thinking.

Those of you who read my blog submissions know that I rarely talk about myself and my situation, preferring to compose messages that I hope are encouraging and inspiring. But now I must use this forum to vent my frustration.

Here's the situation: In March I applied for disability due to severe bone spurs in both heels, nerve damage to my left foot, degenerated discs in my lower back and other physical problems. The upshot is that it is difficult to stand or walk for more than 10 minutes without pain. Added to the mix is obesity and sleep apnea which is contributing to bouts of insomnia and sleep of one-two hours then being awake for a few hours, etc., so during the day I fall asleep in front of the computer and even while stopped in the car for red lights.

My judgment was and is that at least for the present it is difficult, if not impossible, to find full-time work considering the inability to stand and walk and to stay focused for eight hours a day. So, after 40 years of working I applied for help.

The application was initially denied, but none of the physical problems were considered. An appeal was recently also denied, but once again the physical problems were not considered. This decision said I was claiming a cardiac condition which isn't true, anxiety which isn't true and brittle diabetes. I've had diabetes for two years and have never heard the term brittle. I don't know what that means and so never claimed it.

The next step was to ask for a hearing before an administrative law judge. The letter I received today said Social Security statistics show it takes an average of 527 days to have a hearing set. Who knows how long after that for an actual hearing and decision?

How is a person expected to survive for so long in the face of such incompetence which, incidentally, was what I wrote about yesterday?

I don't have an answer. I'm worried and feel my mood sinking into despair but am trying to follow my advice and not let the negative get me down. But it is. Thinking of losing the house and what else follows from not having sufficient income has given me a migraine.

I have several vacant lots in FL for sale but no offers. The same with two burial plots I inherited. No offers.

I am at the end of my rope and don't know how to hold on longer.

I'll try to be more upbeat tomorrow. But for now I see no positive solution to a situation brought about by government incompetence.

This is likely the most personal I'll get with these daily blogs but I truly need to know how others in similar situations have coped or are coping.

Please feel comfortable Spark mailing me if you don't want to post a public reply.

Thanks for allowing me to vent. Have a blessed weekend.