About my official SS disability
It took three full years for me to get my permanent disability. It should never take that long, not for anyone. It's disgraceful. Every piece of mail I got from SS was trailing red tape.
I'll try to describe my disability simply and without the life story. I hope to hear from others with similar afflictions.
The first part of my disability is ADHD. I was fired from my last two jobs for my inability to understand tasks, do things without numerous errors, etc. Multiple repeated training sessions proved worthless, despite my copious, detailed notes. I couldn't get things right.
The other part is mental illness. Bipolar, MDD, SAD, it goes on.
I'm not ashamed of being on disability. The things that disable me are just part of me, like my gray/blonde hair and my (somewhat inordinate) love for my fishes. 🐟🐠🐡 It took decades for the mental health problems, but now they're just one of the things that make me up.* The ADHD was always there, too; I just didn't know it had a name.
I don't tell people I'm on disability (unless they ask how I make a living). I just say I'm retired, which is true enough.
It makes me feel weird if I say, when asked why I'm on disability,** "ADHD," because half the world has it. It's chic. If I say, "I'm bipolar," I'm looked at like I'm a lunatic.*** And if I say "major depression" - well, one reply was, "Then why isn't half the world on disability?" (She had a point, even though she rolled her eyes at me.)
Hell, I may as well have told you my life story: this has become a tome. Thanks for listening.
Does this resonate with anyone? Please let me hear from you.
* A preposition isn't such a bad thing to end a sentence with.
** Shocked hell out of me the first time I was asked. Isn't that rather private?
*** Happens more than you'd think
= new reply since forum marked as read
Good luck. Sounds like the fishes are a great thing to love
saying you're retired is good enough for acquaintances, and hopefully you can befriend the kind of people you can confide in without judgement
and you always have us
Thank you for this. Thank you.
Thanks for your good wishes. 
"Do not let others define who you are, keep up the good fight and never forget that you are worth it." Thank you. I try.
I'm sorry to hear of your family's troubles. It is maddening for you, I know.
Frustrating isn't nearly a strong enough word.
I was turned down twice. I hope yours comes through a lot sooner.
I am .
If you don't make money... well, you are less than dirt. At least dirt grows things. The USA's obsession with money is why this occurs, and there is no way to stop it. Greed is the only 'American Virtue' left. 
Thank you for asking.
Specifically, I am exhausted. Two days ago my wife and I began the return half of our road trip across the country. I'm almost 60; she's 70; and we fully underestimated the toll that driving all day on most days would take on us.
We left on September 8. We'll be home on October 4. It can't come soon enough.
Too long a non-relevant answer?
