b'Life with MSthe condition. A rapid increase in the EDSSSecurity judge is a notebook that summarizes during a short period is very concerning, asall the decits and how this affects the persons these patients will predictably be the mostability to work any job in the future. That is the disabled. standard the patient must recognize and accept.African American patients have a muchThe judge is not a physician and does not higher risk of aggressive disease and disability,have a medical understanding of exam ndings and the presence of spinal cord lesions is alsoand reports if they are is not clearly dened and an additional determinant that places the MSspelled out. In my opinion, the reason most patient at a very high risk. If a patient has lesionspeople do not receive disability is because they in the entire spine and brain, this would be denedare asking a judicial officer to make a medical radiologically. The neurologic examinationdecision. Without ample evidence spelling out denes any decits in motor strength, spasticity,completely why the person requires disability; gait ataxia, and presence of pathological reexes.it will most assuredly be denied.How do you obtain disabilityA major aw in the disability system is that through the Social Security system? physicianswhoexamineMSpatientsare Qualifying for SSDI requires that the personusually not neurologists and not MS specialists. has previously been employed and paying intoTheir medical opinion rarely reects the reality the system for a minimum of ve of the last 10of what an MS patient faces. The SSDI system years. Individuals who are extremely young withallows an independent physician to examine a debilitating condition that affects their abilityyou if your application does not have substantial to work from a young age may also be eligibledocumentation of impairments.to apply for Supplemental Security Income.When seeking a disability determination, Before applying for SSDI, it is recommendedthe following are recommended to strengthen you have copies of your complete medicaland substantiate your case:record. This will allow you to analyze theImportant factors evidence regarding how your providers haveto document in disabilitydocumented your condition.Functional capacity examination: This is the Medical records can be difficult to readonly objective way to determine exactly and process if you are not a physician. Therewhat the patients physical capabilities will are many abbreviations. The record may notbe, such as length or ability to stand, bend, explain in detail many of the challenges youand twist. face daily. Neurologists can look at the results of Generally performed exams by physical an exam and recognize certain decits listedmedicineandrehabilitationspecialists in the reports that may not be fully explained inknown as physiatrists and physical therapists. the record. My recommendation is to obtainNeurologists do not generally do these exams. a notebook with section dividers and compose Cognitive/neuropsychological examination: a detailed compilation of the notes from each ofIf at all possible, a person should have a the providers you see. Examples include reportsbaseline neuropsychological examination from your neurologist, ophthalmologist, urologist,when diagnosed. If a person has cognitive physical therapist, mental health therapist,or memory issues later, a re-evaluation MRI reports, and psychologist.can document the change. The most effective piece of evidence a person Objective testing to include MRI, neuro-and their attorney can present to the Socialdiagnostic testing, neurologic examination. msfocusmagazine.org 28'