I began practicing Social Security Disability in 1998, taking a pro-bono case for Volunterer Lawyers Project in Massachusetts (www.vlpnet.org). The case was for a spanish-speaking client, who happened to be a child. Although I have only handled a small number of children's cases since, this experience showed me the opportunity to make a positive impact in people's lives.
I moved back to Kansas City in 1999. This city has provided me a great central location to represent folks through out the country. While my focus has been to represent people west of the Mississippi, I have attended hearings with clients before Administrative Law Judges in 45 states and Puerto Rico. I have enjoyed seeing so much of our diverse, wonderful country. Most hearings are held in Federal buildings and since 9/11, this has often meant various security protocols are in place. However, Social Security often holds hearings in "remote hearing sites" if my clients are more than 75 miles from the normal designated hearing location. As a result, I have represented many clients at hearings held at hotel conference rooms, in a rented space in a strip mall, or in a bank building.
Several years ago, SSA started offering video-teleconference hearings in an effort to get more cases heard in a more timely fashion. While I have attended many hearings with clients in this manner, I believe that there is no substitute for sitting across the table from the decision maker in these cases.
Of the more than 1,000 hearings that I have attended with clients, many of them have required a translator. SSA provides a translator for whatever language is required. Personally, I have utilized translators at hearings for the following languages: Spanish, Korean, Khmer, Greek, Samoan, and Polish. I have also represented many individuals who are illiterate and this has an impact on the determination as to whether someone is capable of performing certain jobs that exist in the national economy.
One of the things I have learned is that disability does not discriminate in that men and women, young and old, and people of all ethnicity, races, religions, and sizes encounter physical and mental impairments that can prevent the performance of competitive employment. No one ever plans on being disabled. Impairments, sickness, disease, car accidents--all of these happen unexpectedly and somehow at some point people have said to me, "How did I end up here?" (going through the process of applying for Social Security Disability).
I have immensely enjoyed intersecting with people at this point and being able to help. I am hopeful that I will be able to continue helping people obtain the benefits they need and deserve for many years to come. |
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