u/succubusy

I spent the entire month leading up to it researching other people’s experiences so that I could brace myself, and figured now that I’ve done it I can add my own experience since so many I’ve read were negative. I think I got extremely lucky but if this can offer anyone some comfort then I think it’s worth mentioning.

I had to go to a random office super early in the morning, I brought my partner for support. I arrived 10 minutes early in case I needed to do paperwork but there was none other than a quick signature.

The woman who do my evaluation was extremely kind and empathetic. I’ve heard many of yall say your appointment was 15-30 minutes but mine was an hour! I think I was the first of the day so I got lucky. I was asked basic things like “who is the current president of the United States” and “what year is it” and “name a current world event”. I was also asked to count backwards from 100 by 7s… which I knew I couldn’t do, even with using my fingers, but I still had to do it and just “guess”. There was a few more basic math ones like “count backwards from 20 by 3s”. I was asked about my memory issues and it was really relieving that my partner was there to pitch in for me. I mean, I can’t remember what I can’t remember lol. The examiner actually talked to my partner too and asked lots of questions and took everything she said into note. I was asked to list my mental conditions, if I could bathe myself, dress myself, if I could drive, etc. I was asked if I had any hyperfixations. I was asked when the last time I was able to work was. I was also given 3 items to remember, where I repeated them right away and then once again at the end of the conversation. I was also asked to repeat strings of numbers backwards.

The woman who did my exam was so kind, she shared the frustrations of the lack of disability care and really seemed “on my side” which was contrary to the many Reddit threads I read about how these people are pad to not pass you. She even gave me some personal recommendations for a device to help my chronic pain and a website for therapy. My exam was full of laughs and empathy, and I wish that experience for all of you.

Some things I feel like are important to note in regards to being ready for this:

Bring your ID. If you’re feeling anxious or panicked, don’t mask it. Don’t mask at all even. It’s in your favor to react naturally even if that means crying and panicking. I brought a worry stone to hold the whole time and wasn’t shy about using it. Write down a list of your conditions if you have lots like me!! My mind completely blanked when i was asked what my diagnosis were and I wish I had written them down. Answer the questions as if you’re talking about your worst day, not average. This is something any case worker will tell you. Don’t say things like “I can drive every now and then depending on the day”, say instead something like “I am unable to safely drive on my own due to my conditions”. This of course isn’t a lie, it’s just better wording for what they’re looking for. The examiner is not someone you need to impress, or worry about being socially normal in front of. I let my partner advocate for me when needed, which I’m not sure is allowed everywhere but it was for me and it really helped.

I sincerely hope this helps someone, or offers a bit of comfort to know there are nice examiners out there and that the appointment wasn’t as scary or dehumanizing as I expected. I know everyone’s experiences are going to be different but in the sea of negatives I figured I’d add a positive one.

I spent the entire month leading up to it researching other people’s experiences so that I could brace myself, and figured now that I’ve done it I can add my own experience since so many I’ve read were negative. I think I got extremely lucky but if this can offer anyone some comfort then I think it’s worth mentioning.

I had to go to a random office super early in the morning, I brought my partner for support. I arrived 10 minutes early in case I needed to do paperwork but there was none other than a quick signature.

The woman who do my evaluation was extremely kind and empathetic. I’ve heard many of yall say your appointment was 15-30 minutes but mine was an hour! I think I was the first of the day so I got lucky. I was asked basic things like “who is the current president of the United States” and “what year is it” and “name a current world event”. I was also asked to count backwards from 100 by 7s… which I knew I couldn’t do, even with using my fingers, but I still had to do it and just “guess”. There was a few more basic math ones like “count backwards from 20 by 3s”. I was asked about my memory issues and it was really relieving that my partner was there to pitch in for me. I mean, I can’t remember what I can’t remember lol. The examiner actually talked to my partner too and asked lots of questions and took everything she said into note. I was asked to list my mental conditions, if I could bathe myself, dress myself, if I could drive, etc. I was asked if I had any hyperfixations. I was asked when the last time I was able to work was. I was also given 3 items to remember, where I repeated them right away and then once again at the end of the conversation. I was also asked to repeat strings of numbers backwards.

The woman who did my exam was so kind, she shared the frustrations of the lack of disability care and really seemed “on my side” which was contrary to the many Reddit threads I read about how these people are pad to not pass you. She even gave me some personal recommendations for a device to help my chronic pain and a website for therapy. My exam was full of laughs and empathy, and I wish that experience for all of you.

Some things I feel like are important to note in regards to being ready for this:

Bring your ID. If you’re feeling anxious or panicked, don’t mask it. Don’t mask at all even. It’s in your favor to react naturally even if that means crying and panicking. I brought a worry stone to hold the whole time and wasn’t shy about using it. Write down a list of your conditions if you have lots like me!! My mind completely blanked when i was asked what my diagnosis were and I wish I had written them down. Answer the questions as if you’re talking about your worst day, not average. This is something any case worker will tell you. Don’t say things like “I can drive every now and then depending on the day”, say instead something like “I am unable to safely drive on my own due to my conditions”. This of course isn’t a lie, it’s just better wording for what they’re looking for. The examiner is not someone you need to impress, or worry about being socially normal in front of. I let my partner advocate for me when needed, which I’m not sure is allowed everywhere but it was for me and it really helped.

I sincerely hope this helps someone, or offers a bit of comfort to know there are nice examiners out there and that the appointment wasn’t as scary or dehumanizing as I expected. I know everyone’s experiences are going to be different but in the sea of negatives I figured I’d add a positive one.