| ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease) and Disability Benefits |
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If you suffer from disabling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also
known as Lou Gehrig's Disease and can no longer work a full time work
week, I would be happy to help you obtain your rightful Disability Benefits.
You may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, even if you will
eventually recover.
Start by filling out the FREE online Social Security Disability Claim Evaluation
Form (see Tab, on Left Hand Navigation), calling me at 201-317-0610 or
emailing SsiHelp@ptd.net or sojlaw@ptd.net.
Dedication: This page, and my work on behalf of ALS sufferers, is
dedicated to two people, neither of whom did I ever get the chance to meet.
One is the father of a prior manager of mine, where I worked moonlighting as
I built this disability advocacy practice early on; the other is the husband of a
childhood friend of mine (also a lawyer) whose husband passed away not too
long ago of ALS, while only in his 30s.
known as Lou Gehrig's Disease and can no longer work a full time work
week, I would be happy to help you obtain your rightful Disability Benefits.
You may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, even if you will
eventually recover.
Start by filling out the FREE online Social Security Disability Claim Evaluation
Form (see Tab, on Left Hand Navigation), calling me at 201-317-0610 or
emailing SsiHelp@ptd.net or sojlaw@ptd.net.
Dedication: This page, and my work on behalf of ALS sufferers, is
dedicated to two people, neither of whom did I ever get the chance to meet.
One is the father of a prior manager of mine, where I worked moonlighting as
I built this disability advocacy practice early on; the other is the husband of a
childhood friend of mine (also a lawyer) whose husband passed away not too
long ago of ALS, while only in his 30s.
| What is ALS? |
Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurological
disease that attacks the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling
voluntary muscles. In ALS, both the upper motor neurons and the lower
motor neurons degenerate or die, ceasing to send messages to muscles.
Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, waste away, and twitch.
Eventually the ability of the brain to start and control voluntary movement is
lost. Individuals with ALS lose their strength and the ability to move their
arms, legs, and body. When muscles in the diaphragm and chest wall fail,
individuals lose the ability to breathe without ventilatory support. In most
cases the disease does not impair a person's mind, personality, intelligence,
or memory, nor does it affect a person's ability to see, smell, taste, hear, or
recognize touch. A small percentage of patients may experience problems
with memory or decision-making, and there is growing evidence that some
may even develop a form of dementia. The cause of ALS is not known, and
scientists do not yet know why ALS strikes some people and not others.
Is there any treatment?
No cure has yet been found for ALS. However, the FDA has approved the
first drug treatment for the disease—riluzole. Riluzole is believed to reduce
damage to motor neurons and prolongs survival by several months, mainly
in those with difficulty swallowing. Other treatments are designed to relieve
symptoms and improve the quality of life for people with ALS. Drugs also are
available to help individuals with pain, depression, sleep disturbances, and
constipation. Individuals with ALS may eventually consider forms of
mechanical ventilation (respirators).
What is the prognosis?
Regardless of the part of the body first affected by the disease, muscle
weakness and atrophy spread to other parts of the body as the disease
progresses. Individuals have increasing problems with moving, swallowing,
and speaking or forming words. Eventually people with ALS will not be able
to stand or walk, get in or out of bed on their own, or use their hands and
arms. In later stages of the disease, individuals have difficulty breathing as
the muscles of the respiratory system weaken. Although ventilation support
can ease problems with breathing and prolong survival, it does not affect
the progression of ALS. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure,
usually within 3 to 5 years from the onset of symptoms. However, about 10
percent of those individuals with ALS survive for 10 or more years.
What research is being done?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
conducts research in its laboratories at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
and also supports additional research through grants to major medical
institutions across the country. The goals of this research are to find the
cause or causes of ALS, understand the mechanisms involved in the
progression of the disease, and develop effective treatments.
disease that attacks the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling
voluntary muscles. In ALS, both the upper motor neurons and the lower
motor neurons degenerate or die, ceasing to send messages to muscles.
Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, waste away, and twitch.
Eventually the ability of the brain to start and control voluntary movement is
lost. Individuals with ALS lose their strength and the ability to move their
arms, legs, and body. When muscles in the diaphragm and chest wall fail,
individuals lose the ability to breathe without ventilatory support. In most
cases the disease does not impair a person's mind, personality, intelligence,
or memory, nor does it affect a person's ability to see, smell, taste, hear, or
recognize touch. A small percentage of patients may experience problems
with memory or decision-making, and there is growing evidence that some
may even develop a form of dementia. The cause of ALS is not known, and
scientists do not yet know why ALS strikes some people and not others.
Is there any treatment?
No cure has yet been found for ALS. However, the FDA has approved the
first drug treatment for the disease—riluzole. Riluzole is believed to reduce
damage to motor neurons and prolongs survival by several months, mainly
in those with difficulty swallowing. Other treatments are designed to relieve
symptoms and improve the quality of life for people with ALS. Drugs also are
available to help individuals with pain, depression, sleep disturbances, and
constipation. Individuals with ALS may eventually consider forms of
mechanical ventilation (respirators).
What is the prognosis?
Regardless of the part of the body first affected by the disease, muscle
weakness and atrophy spread to other parts of the body as the disease
progresses. Individuals have increasing problems with moving, swallowing,
and speaking or forming words. Eventually people with ALS will not be able
to stand or walk, get in or out of bed on their own, or use their hands and
arms. In later stages of the disease, individuals have difficulty breathing as
the muscles of the respiratory system weaken. Although ventilation support
can ease problems with breathing and prolong survival, it does not affect
the progression of ALS. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure,
usually within 3 to 5 years from the onset of symptoms. However, about 10
percent of those individuals with ALS survive for 10 or more years.
What research is being done?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
conducts research in its laboratories at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
and also supports additional research through grants to major medical
institutions across the country. The goals of this research are to find the
cause or causes of ALS, understand the mechanisms involved in the
progression of the disease, and develop effective treatments.
| MySsiCase.com |
| Brought to you by the Social Security Disability Law Office of Stephanie O. Joy, Esq. Helping clients, one-on-one, in all 50 U.S. States Ph: 201-317-0610 Email: SsiHelp@ptd.net Fax: 570-424-2384 |
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