Doctors' notes

[gatita]

For people who were approved, what specifically did your doctor write in your doctor's letter? I have to ask three different doctors, and I'm looking for some specific guidelines I can give them, without actually writing the letters myself.

I know that Laurel had some comments about this, but I'm looking for some advice from people on here who have gotten "good" letters.

Thanks in advance!

[want2b2gether]

Well gatita, I won't say that I got a "good" letter from my son's and hubby's Dr's but they just basically wrote about the condition of my son and the kind of treatment need it.
For my husband it was almost the same thing, only they help us a little bit more.
"I have been treating Mr.want2b2gether since ....... for....... his condition requires anual check ups that if he had to stay in Mexico would not be able to get.
It is important that he gets them in order to prevent future problems"

That was just kind of a guide line of what I remember, basically just ask them to write for what are they seeing you, for how long have they, and put their contact info.
Good luck.

[tasksgirl]

This was my brother's letter:

xxxNAMExxx is a patient who has been diagnosed with moderate level Autism and Mental Retardation. This is a permanent life-long condition. He was diagnosed as a child and was approved for SSI benefits at age 18. Due to his condition, he is not able to live independently and will always need a caretaker. It is strongly encouraged that the caretaker be an immediate family member.

[mouse7r]

Im glad someone asked this.. Im planning on getting a letter from a couple of drs this month

[tasksgirl]

This was my dad's letter:

xxxNAMExxx is a patient who has been diagnosed with familial ALS (a degenerative neuromuscular disease that causes muscle atrohphy and eventual paralysis). This disease started to affect his legs in 1998 and has progressed to the point where he is limited to walking short distances with a cane and has difficulties with balance.

Progressive weakness is expected to continue. It is very likely that within the next 10 years, he will need long-term assistance with at least some daily living activities. He recently lost his balance at home and fell and fractured his foot. During the initial recovery from this injury, he required short-term assistance with daily living activities and would not have been able to live alone.



I felt the letter was good and he was able to write a good length but I also think he was a bit on the conservative side.. saying that in the next 10 years he will probably need some assistance.. he most definately will and ALS brings complications like trouble breathing and susceptability to diseases like pneumonia .. And all my research on ALS says its extremely rare to live 15 years past diagnosis and for my dad it's already been 10 .. so likely he will pass away in the next 10 years.. BUT I am using medical journals and government sources to back this up also my grandfather passed from the same thing when he was in his 60's and my dad is in his 50's .. :(

[Theresa]

well, in my sons letter, his dr. didnt want to put too much because of the legalities sooo... all she wrote was a simple letter stating what his conditon is, how the diagnoses was done, and that lifetime treatment is neccessary to live a normal life, she also wrote that he does have to take meds as well in order to live a "stress free life" or something to that effect. and thats pretty much about it it was a plain letter. but i guess it worked along with all the evidence i collected for his condition