Diabetes Mellitus, SSD and SSI
Diabetes mellitus is a condition that results from the body's inability to use blood glucose for energy. You may be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. To manage your disease, you must carefully monitor blood sugar levels to minimize fluctuations, which requires continued vigilance and strict adherence to a perpetual, multi-faceted and demanding treatment regimen. You may inject insulin, follow a diabetic diet, exercise daily and test your blood sugar several times a day.
If a blood test shows a drop in glucose levels, you must stop all other activities and consume the kinds of foods that will bring your sugar levels back up to normal. Unless you act quickly, you may experience periods of dizziness, weakness, loss of ability to think or concentrate on work. It may even result in losing consciousness (or passing out). Conversely, spikes in blood glucose levels can cause equally adverse consequences.
Sometimes, this rigid schedule makes being both an insulin-dependent diabetic and a productive worker impossible. When your diabetes keeps you out of the workforce, you may be able to get Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits to make ends meet.
When Your Diabetes Controls Your Work Schedule
How will you know that it's time to look into SSI or SSD? You cannot adjust your eating schedule to your work schedule, or exert yourself without concern for the effect your actions will have on your glucose levels. You must always think about the availability of food, the timing of meals and the type and amount of foods — and it can be just too much to handle. If that's the case for you, it is time for you to consult with one of our advocates at Binder & Binder®.
If your diabetes is keeping you from working, talk with us at Binder & Binder®. Call us at 1-800-66-BINDER or complete our online contact form. We have locations nationwide and serve clients all over America — no matter where you live.
