Did you know that just because you have an invisible illness or chronic condition that is granted disability, it does not mean you qualify? Even if that illness effects and alters your daily life?
To qualify for disability with Crohns Disease you have to have:
"one of the following:
Bowel obstruction. You must have an obstruction, other than just adhesions, of narrowed areas in the small intestine or colon, with dilation and swelling. The obstruction must be confirmed by medically acceptable imaging or by surgery and have required hospitalization or surgery to compress the intestines. The obstruction must have occurred at least twice, 60 days apart, within the same 6-month period.
OR
Other qualifying complications. You must have two of the following symptoms, despite adhering to your prescribed treatments. The two complications must happen within the same 6-month period.
Anemia with hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL in two blood tests at least 60 days apart
Serum albumin of 3.0 g/dL or less, after at least two blood tests at least 60 days apart
Tender abdominal mass felt on physical exam with abdominal pain or cramping that you cannot control with prescription pain medication, documented in two doctor visits at least 60 days apart
Perineal disease with a draining abscess or fistula, with pain that you cannot control with prescription pain medication, documented during at least two doctor visits at least 60 days apart
Unintentional weight loss of at least 10 percent from your starting weight, documented on two medical evaluations at least 60 days apart, or
Need for supplemental daily nutrition by a feeding tube in the stomach, nose, or small intestine, or by chest catheter."
Last summer, I had to quit my job due to working in the heat, or working so much my body shut down and I had to go to the ER. I have had numerous ER trips because I am in severe pain or having severe symptoms.
Just because I don't fit into what they think IBD looks like, doesn't mean that I don't suffer any less. Just because I don't fit into what they think IBD looks like, doesn't mean that IBD doesn't rule my life. Just because I don't fit into what they think IBD looks like, doesn't mean that my life is forever changed.
Cite:
Yours truly,
Kaitlyn
@trusting.my.gut