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 in response to CATLUV...   He has applied for SSI Benefits in Alabama. He was 19 years old when he was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease so he was not considered a dependent to get disability benefits on my or my husband's contributions while working. We have been praying and waiting for almost four years and as of right now, his benefits have not been approved. We have representatives in Washington, D.C. contacting Social Security and writing them letters, but they always get the same answer - The Social Security Department is backlogged and if you do not receive a decision within the next 60-90 days, you are welcome to send another letter to check the status of his application. Being backlogged is a good excuse if his application was filed just a year ago, but four years seems a little extreme. If anyone knows anybody that might be able to help us get his application approved, please tell them to do everything they can. If they need more information, they are welcome to email me at raggedjean5@yahoo.com. Thank you for the information and for your concern. God bless you.

Zach, my 22 year old son who has Crohn's Disease, needs financial assistance for medical treatment and purchase of medications. He lives with me, I am disabled and he has no health insurance. Right now, he is receiving minimum medical mangement and can only purchase the lower cost prescriptions with which he still has flares resulting in visits to the emergency room (1-2 times a month, sometimes more). We have been told that there are better doctors and better medications which we cannot afford. Zach has a goal of becoming a Youth Minister when he gets his disease controlled or possibly in remission. He has a notebook where he writes down things he wants to promote in the Youth Ministry (ex,: spiritual involvement of youth, respect for humanity and animals, service to those in need, etc.). He has several avenues that can be used to help him get better medical care. Donations can be made through Paypal using email: dhogan64@yahoo.com. If you do not want to use Paypal or have just $1.00 to spare, you can put it in an envelope and address it to him: Zach Hogan P.O. Box 223 Warrior, AL 35180. If you have a group, organization or business that would like to help, go to http://www.crazygood.com/refer/killerwolf549. Your website can be promoted for $10.00 per month. Part of the $10.00 will be used to help Zach, so you will help him and gain a service at the same time. You can pay for one month or more, it will be your decision and all your information will be kept confidential.

I wish I knew what to tell you.  I am disabled due to extensive cancer surgery and my 22 year old son is disabled due to Crohn's Disease.  There are times when we are both in pain and do not feel good so we just do the best we can.  My son filed for SSI benefits in 1/2007.  He had a hearing in 4/2009 and was denied benefits.  I got a copy of the transcript where the judge listed the reasons he was denied.  I was in the room during the hearing with my son and I know what was said by my son and the judge.  The reasons for denial were lies.  The judge said that my son had a girlfriend and that they went out on dates to movies and to Church and out to eat every week.  My son has not had a girlfriend since 2006.  He has not left the house during the past two years except to go to the doctor.  He is undergoing a capsule endoscopy on Tuesday 7/13/2010 for further evaluation.  I almost started crying in Walgreen's a couple hours ago when I went to get the prep for this test and they said it was $60.00.  His SSI has still not been approved and he has no health insurance.  I have been in the emergency room almost every weekend with him for over eight weeks.  His medications have done me in this month.  Today is 7/11/2010 and I only have $70.00 left to get me through the rest of the month.  I guess I might have to go stand in parking lots and beg for help by the end of the week.  I have been told that the State of Tennessee is very helpful to people relocating there,  I am going to check into it.  Alabama used to have plenty of government apartments available but I don't know if they do now since so many homes have been foreclosed.  We lost our home to foreclosure in 11/2007.  I wish you luck and will pray for you and everyone in the United States.  If something does not change in this couintry, I don't know what any of us are going to do.

Thank you so much for your reply.  You can definitely put him on the prayer chain at your Church.  God bless you.

This is a photo of Zach and his best friend Morris (the cat).  I was just noticing that I have been posting to this site since 2007.  Time passes fast and we have survived many bad times so far, the most devastating was the foreclosure of our home, but at least Zach is still hanging on and that is alot more important than losing a house.  It is becoming harder to find doctors to treat Zach since he has no health insurance and the talk of healthcare reform has all the doctors running scared.  I guess they are afraid treating someone with no insurance or money will affect their bottom line.  Zach is supposed to swallow a capsule Monday, 7/12/2010, that will take pictures of his intestines and colon to try and find out what is going on.  I hope they can find the problem and have a way to fix whatever is wrong.  Zach tries to think positive and talks about forming a special youth ministry when he gets his health problems under control.  He has not been out of the house during the past two years except to go to the doctor.  Please pray for him and if you know anyone who might be able to help him, please let us know.

My family's prayers will be with you.  Others are praying for my 22 year old son who has Crohn's Disease.  He was diagnosed with the disease when he was 19 years old.  I know prayer has gotten us this far.  Zach has not been out of the house during the past two years except to go to the doctor.  He is very religious and talks about how he wants to start a special youth ministry when he gets his health problems under control.  Zach is going to the doctor Monday, 7/12/2010 to swallow a camera so they can try to see what is going on.  With all the healthcare reform talk, we are having a hard time finding doctors who will treat him since he has no health insurance.  There has to be a new day coming for this world.  People working for the doctors are driven by whether you have health insurance or cash to hand them. What happened to caring and compassion?

We are in the emergency room at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.  Zach started passing blood in his stool.  We have been here since 7:12 P.M. on 5/28/2010.  It is now 4:47 A.M. on 5/29/2010.  They have done some x-rays and bloodwork.  We still do not know what is going on.  If you can help with medical bills, please go to "Wish Upon A Hero" website to make post.