After the Settlement: Treatment Options for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A long term disability settlement can offer some invaluable peace of mind, but it is only one step on a much longer recovery journey. In that regard, the settlement is a tool that provides you with the time and resources you need to focus on your health. The ultimate goal is to find a way to manage your condition so you can get back to work and your regular routine. So what happens after you settle your claim with your insurance provider? The answer will largely depend on the nature of your disability. You’ll want to consult with your doctor to come up with a treatment...

Do I Need To Keep Seeing My Doctor If I’m Involved In A Long-Term Disabilit...

You’ve received your diagnosis, submitted your claim, and are managing your symptoms as best you can. So do you really need to keep seeing your doctor? You have all the info you need about your disability and are managing fine on your own. The answer to this is very straightforward — YES.  If you’re involved in a long-term disability claim, it may seem unnecessary to continue seeing your physician or mental health care professional on a regular basis. The truth, however, is that it’s just as important now as it was before your claim was filed. This is for multiple...

Gambling Addiction and a Denied Disability Claim: Mohammed’s Story

Mohammed was working as a shipping manager for an online clothing retailer. He loved his job, despite the fact that it was often stressful. He got to work in an industry he really enjoyed while becoming friends with his close-knit team of coworkers. Every now and then, they’d even start playing some casual games of poker during their downtime and on their days off. Despite being a great poker player, he wasn’t a sore loser or a terrible winner. He knew how to play the game and loved to play it with his friends.  One day, Mohammed mentioned to a friend that he and his...

No Rest for the Weary: Shona’s Story

Shona had always enjoyed an active lifestyle. She was naturally a social creature and found that she was happiest when her calendar was filled with as many people and events as it could hold. Now that she was 42, she was proud to say that life had never been more fulfilling. Her day job as a receptionist at an accounting firm gave her plenty of opportunities to chat with clients. Her two children, her volunteer work, and her various social engagements kept her just as busy when she left the office. On many days, the clock would hit midnight before she went to...

Fibromyalgia: Triggers, Signs, and Treatment

For years, Fibromyalgia was written off as a catch-all disability, something doctors diagnosed when they couldn’t find another answer. The truth, however, is that Fibromyalgia is an insidious invisible illness. The symptoms can be crippling, often leaving those who live with the condition feeling helpless, and incapable of leading normal lives. But what is it that causes Fibromyalgia flare-ups? What do you need to look for to spot the signs of an oncoming flare-up, and how can you treat them when they happen? Fibromyalgia affects approximately 900,000 Canadians, roughly...

A Home Invasion Nightmare: Rosie’s Story

As a contracts associate at a large publishing firm in Vancouver, BC, Rosie was a stickler for details. Her job gave her a sense of purpose when she was able to deliver an airtight document to a client. Everything changed after a burglar broke into her home, although Rosie didn’t realize how much it would affect her at the time. Her roommate had been out of town during the robbery. Rosie, on the other hand, had been asleep in her bedroom and was completely unaware of the burglary as it was happening. She only learned about the crime when the police knocked on her door....

By the Numbers: Canada’s Growing Awareness of Invisible Disabilities

Invisible disabilities are far more common than many people realize. According to the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD), more than 2 million Canadians are currently living with a mental health-related disability, and even that number does not fully reflect the scope of the issue. Pain-related conditions are the most common cause of disability for adults over the age of 25, and many of those conditions – including fibromyalgia and arthritis – may not be immediately apparent to a casual observer. Unfortunately, even our best metrics are imperfect. The previous CSD...

Selena Gomez and Disability Visibility

It can be difficult to live with a disability, especially an invisible disability, in a world that treats them as something to hide, mask, or be ashamed of. They’re not, and it’s high time we shifted the how we think about those with disabilities. Some celebrities are helping to shed that stigma by making their own disabilities more visible, and not shying away from being part of the public discourse. Selena Gomez is a shining example of this.  At about 20 years old, Gomez was diagnosed with lupus. A chronic autoimmune disease, lupus essentially causes the body to...