Honoring the Beneficiaries of Social Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: October 26, 2017
Social Security is committed to the principles and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which improves the lives of our beneficiaries and our employees who have disabilities.
We also want you to see and hear from the people who rely on Social Security disability benefits to thrive as active members of our communities. Our Faces and Facts of Disability website highlights the real life stories of people who have disabilities.
One person we are featuring on our Faces and Facts of Disability website is Lynne Parks. She is an artist from Baltimore, Maryland. First diagnosed with metastatic fibrosarcoma at age 14, she has lived with this illness for nearly 35 years. It started in her face and moved to different parts of her body, including her abdomen and leg. She also has various tumors on her shoulder and arm.
Inflammatory responses, infections, and new tumors are complications that Lynne deals with every day. “Because of the tumors, I have limited use of my left arm,” Lynne said. “I have weakness in my legs. There’s fatigue because my immune system has taken such a big hit from the cancer and the cancer treatments. I get sick all the time. There might be a day that I can be at home and resting and I’ll try to make the best of it. I’ll wake up, fix breakfast and eat, and that takes a while because of my physical limitations, but also because of my first tumor that was in my face.”
Having been helped by Social Security, Lynne tries to help others. “I’m also helping people who have issues learn to cope with them, because they see in me someone as a role model, essentially. Life without Social Security benefits, it’s a horror story, because I imagine myself on the streets.”
The disability benefits Lynne receives are a crucial resource for her quality of life. Our disability programs continue to be a mainstay in the lives of many people — people just like you. Social Security disability beneficiaries are among the most severely impaired people in the country. It’s something that can happen to anyone.
We invite you to learn the facts about the disability insurance program, and see and hear these stories of hardship and perseverance at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityfacts.
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Tags: Disability
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Joan W.
I want to know why I’m not getting the social security monthly payments that I am entitled to from the disability act that I’m entitled to. It states that people in their 50’s are entitled to the amount of 2,173-2,600. I keep telling social security repeatedly about this disability act n they say it doesn’t exist. I am entitled to this money. I need your HELP!
AKA
Listen to those who tell you that what you are referring to does not exist, it does not exist.
alyce c.
I have problems a mile long, psychological and physical. I still got denied at the appeals level. The reason I was denied originally was totally lame. I have so much documentation. However my psychiatrist doesn’t document very well. Of course he is my second and he didn’t either. As a matter of fact he lost most of my chart.
All I can say from my experience, is if I have to see that same judge. they will have to duck tape my mouth. The judges from my experience, believe you don’t WANT to work. YOU WANT TO SIT HOME AND DO NOTHING……NOT MY IDEA OF A GOOD TIME JUDGE IDIOT.
DON’T TRUST THEM.
alyce c.
I MEAN DON’T TRUST THE SYSTEM…..THEY WILL LEAVE YOU HIGH AND DRY.
Loretta M.
I am 80 and have been severely hearing impaired I was told a few years ago I could not apply for Disability. Is this true?
AKA
No.
Mr. &.
Thank goodness for programs such as Social Security Disability that is available to help those in need.
Vipul
The only social security disability help me to survive without that I will be on the road. I became a schizophrenic and still mentally ill and disability helping me to survive. I am divorced because of my illness and unable to work. I return $20 Saved from Social Security benefits this month return to Department of US Treasury. I do not want to abuse the system.
Patricia E.
I am always inspired to hear about other peoples stories of disabilities where they are still trying to cope and live like everybody else.
I truly believe people on earth do the absolute best with what they have, are given each day.
I am still working to achieve my 1st college degree, college #9, at the age of 54 next month. I have multiple disabilities, I worked in the past, and it has not been easy. I am my sole support though I know, as long as I do not give up, my dreams and goals are doable too.
I used to hate the word disability, and was so in denial, I refused seeking services from SSA years ago, because I did not want to be a burden on society. I finally saught my benefits, which I contributed towards for years when I was able to work, just a few years ago, and all the SSA personnel in my case told me there is no shame in being disabled and seeking the services to help make your life better.
Hearing that and receiving the wonderful services from SSA state and local, was just wonderful, and I am just so absolutely grateful SSA is here for me and millions of other Americans!
The Social Security Administration is a Life Saving and Affirming American Social Service Institution, and is one of the Very Best!
Thank You for helping Live in my disability proudly and still dream and work towards graduating from college one day, no matter what!
Irene O.
Reading about disabled persons and how they cope is inspiring . I thank God for all our benefits. Am 89 years old and these stories make me proud on how a person can and do cope. Thanks for all the information published.
Sharon F.
Like myself a beneiifiscery for life I try to maintain a good outlook on what ever it is I endeavor and I try to keep my children in mind because they are always on my mind and I care about what they are doing sometimes and I want them to be happy with me and the people that are surrounding them but business is fore more greater in the community that keeps all of us together may my children learn to respect the goverrment in which they choose so others can see them as they are not as some commodities as I have learned to avoid in my self.
James L.
Hello Social Security Team,
This is a great wed-site…
to inform Bay Boomers that may need to plan to retire or need it now because they are now retired.
Note: I am now 71&1/2 and I was forced to retire over 3 years ago. I am into Social Security. It is great because my income paid for 30 or 40 years.
I am now trying to figure out how to get into the great ….Cash For Patriots Program?
Thanks for adding this Reply.
Good Luck,
Jim Myers
AKA
The cash for patriots program hoax. Do not invest one red cent into this.
Treva
Is gout and mild levoscoliosis considered a disability
AKA
Could be if it is bad enough so you can’t work or are expected to die within a year.
MD S.
Dear honorable administrative team.I allways beloved any difficult problem smoothly sultions working under of administrative of team
request to resolved Issued SSN for me.