Amber

I am 70 percent P&T and on IU bringing me to the 100 percent rate. I was working when I was awarded because my position is outside my industrial and academic background. I lost my position paying me 90 K a year several times I am highly intelligent but I have a hard time sometimes. I think that I am actually 100 percent but have not been rated as such at this time and I will work to change this to 100 percent as time moves on. The CFRs are really confusing and there are so many people that tell you that you cannot work when you have PTSD. I can tell you with the internet, ability to work from home, and caring support that you can work. I have family help me when I have trouble completing my work. You can also write books, blogs, create products, etc. do things that help you make money when you are sleeping so if you are not able to work it is working for you. I also find it helpful to help others in my situation. There is the term peer support specialist and coach. You can help people by sharing your coping skills and get paid. Just because someone has no limbs does not mean that they cannot work. The same is true for mental disabilities I mean everyone watched "A Beautiful Mind" right? How about the Hicks Bozeman. To say that someone cannot work because of a disability is discriminatory and negligent in nature. Especially PTSD! Of course you can work you just have to find the right type of work for your disability and personality. I tried not working and it made my symptoms worse. I need to feel like I am making a difference by helping in some way. Hopefully together we can stop the people that are speaking from a place of opinion instead of personal experience or law. Compensation is for the money you could have earned or a life that you could have enjoyed it is not income replacement like social security. Also I had a Vietnam friend that worked his whole life. He did pretty well for himself and many times the SWAT team would come to his house due to his illusions. Work was great for him. It kept him sober and allowed him to burn off some steam on the farm and the community supported him. He eventually locked himself in his RV and lit it on fire. At times Dennis was great other times not so much. He did have consistent problems and work was a form of therapy. Therapeutic work keeps all of us with PTSD from jumping off a bridge. I hope this helps! All my love to all of you!