Your Social Security Disability hearing is the chance to explain to the Judge what it is like to live with your conditions, illnesses and diseases.
Remember this is the person who will decide whether or not you are disabled.
The Judge will ask about your ability to perform household chores.
The Hearing is the opportunity to explain your limitations when you try to do laundry, cleaning, cooking and shopping.
It is the time to explain problems with pain, concentration, focus.
It is the chance to describe restrictions with sitting, standing, lifting, walking, reaching, gripping, and fingering.
It is not the time to pretend that you are fine and are not really experiencing any problems with daily living.
It is not the time to pretend that you may able to do some type of job if you try hard enough.
It is not the time to act strong and neglect to tell the Judge about your ongoing pain.
Sometimes the Judge will ask you if you could do your former work. If you tell him that you may be able to keep doing it, then the Judge will deny your case because Social Security rules provide that if you can do past relevant work you are not disabled.
The Social Security hearing is very important and can make a big difference in whether you win.
Going to see your doctor and explaining your problems and limitations is also a big part of your case.
However, do not miss the opportunity to look the Judge in the eye and paint the picture of what is like to live in your body for a day.
Questions about Social Security Disability? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.