Published on: July 24, 2014
June is National Scleroderma Awareness Month, and the Tampa disability advocates at Disability Experts Of Florida would like to help raise awareness of the condition. Though we are still learning about scleroderma, there are a few things everyone should know about the condition.
According to the Scleroderma Foundation, scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease typically classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Hardening or toughening of the skin is one of the most evident symptoms of the disease. Scleroderma is not contagious, infectious, cancerous or malignant, but it can be serious. The symptoms of scleroderma vary from person to person, and the effects of scleroderma can range from mild to life threatening. How serious the effects are depend on what areas of the body are affected and how extensive or advanced the condition is. A mild case can become more serious if not properly treated. Prompt and proper diagnosis and treatment by qualified physicians may minimize the symptoms of scleroderma and lessen the chance for irreversible damage.
Scleroderma and Getting Disability
Like so many other medical conditions, getting disability benefits in Florida for scleroderma will depend on many different factors. Yes, the severity of the condition will be taken into account. However, like many other conditions, including RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and lupus, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will also consider your ability to work.
It is always to your advantage to speak with a compassionate disability advocate when trying to decide whether you should seek Florida disability benefits. It's always free to call DEF. We can even initiate your case over the phone. While doing so, we'll go over every question you might have about your condition and about what the SSA requires, and cover everything you will need (medical records, etc.) and what the SSA's vocational experts will examine when considering whether you meet the criteria for Florida disability or compassionate allowances. Due to recent federal budget cutbacks, it is more important than ever before to seek assistance when pursuing disability benefits for scleroderma or any other condition.
- Have you been diagnosed with scleroderma? Call us. We will assist you with everything you need to know about Florida SSDI and SSI
Is There Help in Florida For Scleroderma?
If you have been diagnosed with scleroderma in Tampa or anywhere in Florida, there are useful resources to which you can turn for answers. Above, we posted a link to the Scleroderma Foundation. At their website, you will find an vast array of resources for education, fundraising, news, research and many other topics related to scleroderma.
You can also go to the Southeast Florida Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation for Florida disability and scleroderma news. According to the Scleroderma Foundation, there is currently not a Tampa Scleroderma Foundation in existence. However, by contacting that chapter, you can let them know that you are in this area and are suffering from the condition. They might be able to help you and direct you locally to agencies who can assist you.
