This is a true story as told to Allsup.
Alaska mom copes with the mysteries of a debilitating disease…
Anchorage, Alaska—Cheryl Creighton is no stranger to the struggles of
multiple sclerosis. At just 46, she has been living with the disease for nearly three years, somehow managing to maintain an optimistic attitude.
Her parents’ divorce during her early teenage years prompted her to relocate from her native Washington State to the snow-drenched wilderness of Alaska, and she eventually settled in Anchorage. Today she is married, the mother of three, and a grandmother as well. Off and on since the 1980s, she worked in accounts payable and receivable.
“I really enjoyed interacting with the people,” Ms. Creighton said, reminiscing on one of her favorite aspects of her former job. “All the personal interaction is probably one of the things that I miss the most.”
Ms. Creighton didn’t expect that her working days would end so soon, nor so abruptly. Nothing would prepare her for the startling news that she was about to receive.
It was November 2005 when she noticed a pain in her neck. She could not move her head from side to side. She went to a chiropractor, but continued to experience severe pain. Her concerned husband took her to the emergency room of their local hospital. There she received a shot of Demerol, but there was no relief from the pain. Ms. Creighton left with a neck brace.
One month later, after a bout with the flu, she awoke and could not feel her legs, stomach and face. Her doctor told her it was probably a virus and to return in two weeks if she did not improve. Two weeks later, the only change was an odd tingling and tightening sensation in her legs, stomach and face. Her doctor ordered an MRI, and a subsequent visit to a neurologist resulted in two more MRIs. That’s when they discovered a lesion on her spine.
It was February 2006 before Ms. Creighton received a reasonable explanation for her mysterious ailments—she had multiple sclerosis. Doctors informed her she may have had the illness for up to 10 years, and it had gone undetected. Adding yet another layer to the many mysteries of MS, there is no known, definitive cause.
MS affects the brain and spinal cord. Early symptoms include weakness, tingling, numbness and blurred vision. Other possible signs are muscle stiffness, thinking problems and urinary difficulties. A diagnosis is made by the history of symptoms as well as a neurological exam, such as with a MRI or a spinal tap. In Ms. Creighton’s case, MRIs revealed lesions on her brain and spine.
“I was adopted,” Ms. Creighton stated, “but I was eventually able to track down my birth mother and, as far as I know, no one on her side of the family ever had MS. Plus, I’ve always been very health-conscious, exercising regularly, always eating healthfully and taking vitamins. There are a lot of theories out there,” Ms. Creighton explained, “but no one really knows what causes MS.”
Since it’s a progressive disease, it was just a matter of time before her
ability to work would be impaired.
“The pain in my legs felt like someone was wrapping rubber bands around them,” she elaborated. “There was nothing you could do about it either. I tried walking it off, but it didn’t help. The pain and fatigue in my muscles from sitting at my computer at work just became too much.” After reaching her physical limitations, Ms. Creighton had to stop working in September 2006.
While conducting an Internet search, her brother learned about
Allsup, the nation’s leading Social Security
disability advocacy company. A nationwide organization headquartered in Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis, Allsup has helped more than 100,000 people with disabilities nationwide obtain more than $1.5 billion in
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and
Medicare benefits.
Applying for
SSDI benefits is a lengthy and complex process, and Ms. Creighton had no idea what to expect. However, she would soon learn that Allsup’s team of experienced professionals would give her the guidance and support she needed to navigate this often grueling process.
“As those who developed the industry, we are the experts,” said Allsup founder and CEO Jim Allsup. “Allsup people are inquisitive, smart and driven to be problem solvers. Customers are always in great hands with Allsup experts.”
One of Ms. Creighton’s Allsup experts was representative Paula Morgan.
“She didn’t give me false hope,” Ms. Creighton said, “and I really appreciated that. She let me know that the majority of people are denied after the first application, so I was prepared.”
In fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies two out of three initial
SSDI applications. Not only that, but it often takes a year or longer to reach a decision, exacerbating the problem. The main reason for this
backlog problem is the shrinking SSA workforce, which is 30 percent smaller in 2002 than it was 20 years earlier. From August 2005 to January 2007, approximately 2,000 field office employees left SSA without being replaced. In the meantime, the number of disabled workers drawing
SSDI benefits has doubled since 1990.
As expected, the SSA denied Ms. Creighton’s initial claim, and her Allsup representative appealed that decision. Denied once again, Allsup immediately elevated her claim to the third stage of the process, which requires a court hearing. After about ten months, she was relieved to receive notice that her case had been favorably decided.
“Allsup did it all for me,” Ms. Creighton said. “They handled all the paperwork and went to the hearing on my behalf, since I was in a lot of pain and in no condition to travel. Allsup really made it easier on me.”
Today, although her condition cannot be cured, Ms. Creighton can live a less stressful life.
“I have to take it easy,” she said. “There are choices I have to make so I don’t wear myself out. Sometimes I have to decide between one and the other. Do I want to clean the house today or do I want to shop for groceries? My energy is low, but luckily my kids are great and always are helping me out.”
Life is less trying financially since her award, as well. Very satisfied, Ms. Creighton said she would recommend Allsup to a friend.
“I would say I have a better quality of life now,” she said, gratefully. “I would definitely
recommend Allsup. I’d say they are worth every penny.”