I had a hearing for my state disability a few weeks ago. I was represented by a lawyer and was prepped for the procedure. It took five minutes of giving my testimony before the judge stopped me and said, "I'm going to grant the claim." Three years and five minutes. The transcriptionist said, "Wait! I don't even have a page typed!" The judge said, "I think we set a record!" They all laughed. My lawyer never said a word and later told me that what transpired almost never happens. I didn't see what was so funny.

I was lucky. I had long-term disability covering me through work while I was out of work for two years. I had a steady monthly income from that. When it ran out, my doctor simply released me back to work and I got a new job. The state disability is going to cover what the long-term work disability paid out. That's what the lawyer was for...to get back the money they paid me. It was all so simple.

But I was turned down three times before a hearing was set. The same set of circumstances that led to my disability was the same issues that got me the approval in the hearing. Nothing changed. But they put me through the ringer for nearly three years waiting for it.

I see patients all the time that have been turned down. Crazy people that couldn't hold a job at a gas station, handicapped people who have trouble getting out of their houses, some people so far gone they need someone to represent them in court because they can't focus on what's happening long enough to give a straight answer. And they get turned down, again and again.

What's wrong in the system that denies these claims when they're truly warranted? When it's their money paid to Social Security in the first place? When what it's intended for goes unheeded and these people lose their homes, when they've lost their jobs and can't work? Most of the patients on my unit fighting for disability don't have insurance. We discharge them with a stack of prescriptions that we know they can't have filled. We discharge them to the street or to a homeless shelter because they've lost literally everything.

Six simple words: "I'm going to grant the claim." That's all it took. But I'm not quitting my job to go on disability. I'm able minded, so far, and I'm doing the best job I know how. I can still work and I will until it becomes necessary to stop. I'm hoping that doesn't happen.

And in the meantime, I'm praying that these poor lost souls that flock through our doors eventually hear those six simple words and get what they deserve, that they get what's theirs. It shouldn't have to be so hard.