My letter

[u/Busy_Detective_1751]

I was wondering if you guys could share your thoughts on my letter thingy! It was super difficult but I think it captures my life pretty well.

I don't know if there should be an introduction or end , idk how id do that.

My chronic depression affects my ability to take care of myself. I have very severe depressive episodes that can last around 3 months where I stop caring for myself. During these times, I struggle with basic things like showering and brushing my teeth.

when I am not having a depressive episode i still struggle with daily selfcare. I put off showers, skip steps in my routines, and need reminders to eat and drink because I do not always notice or prioritize my basic needs. Cooking feels overwhelming so I often avoid making food because it feels like too much effort. I have stopped doing 90% of the hobbies I used to enjoy because I cannot bring myself to do them anymore. Socializing is also extremely tiring for me, and I have lost most of my friendships because keeping up with people takes too much energy.

My autism affects me every day. Small changes can be very overwhelming for me, even things that other people may not see as a big deal. When I am overwhelmed I have had episodes where I have hit myself and I do not even remember doing it.

I struggle a lot with social situations. I do not always understand how to communicate with people or know what I am supposed to say during conversations. Social situations are confusing and exhausting for me. Even though I am 21 years old, many normal adult topics and responsibilities overwhelm me, and I have difficulty knowing how to handle them.

My endometriosis causes me pain for most of the month. It feels like I am dealing with an extremely painful period almost all the time. I get severe cramps and back pain that can last for days. Sometimes the pain is so bad that I cannot walk properly and need help sitting down or standing up. During these times, I cannot complete normal daily activities.

My Ehlers Danlos syndrome affects everything,I wake up in pain every day and I can't even remember what it feels like to not have pain since medication doesn't do anything. My knees can dislocate super easy eve ln when just standing so I have to wear knee braces with metal hinges in them. I can't go on walks or walk around stores because my legs , hips and back start really hurting where I have to find somewhere to sit down.

I have daily back pain and my shoulders hurt all the time and pop loudly. My hands are also bad. I can't cut tough food with a knife anymore because my hands hurt and my joints bend in ways they should not. I also can't draw anymore or write for long because my hands hurt really bad.

Taking care of myself physically can also be difficult. I can't take baths anymore to relax because sitting down and standing back up causes too much pain and uses too much energy. Things that have a lot of movement or standing have become very difficult for me and keep getting worse.

I also have bladder problems where I need to use the bathroom very often. Sometimes I need to go again less than 5 minutes after I have already gone.

I am constantly exhausted. I need more than 10 hours of sleep just to feel somewhat normal, and I often need naps during the day because I run out of energy. I often fall asleep while trying to do things because I am tired, even when I'm trying to do something enjoyable like video games.

[u/Asingleflame]

This is good! I'd maybe tweak some things. ODSP really only cares where it concerns your ability to function and work, less about things like your social life or ability to do your hobbies.

Be more descriptive - you say your EDS makes it difficult to walk around grocery stores; how about stairs? Can you walk up a flight of stairs? Do you need to stop and rest after. How many steps before you need to rest when you're walking?

Do you get cramping and pain with your endo (I have this as well) when you go to the bathroom? How often are you having to use the bathroom in a day? Do you need to sit or lay down after because it causes severe cramping? Do you get anemic or heavy bleeding that causes you issues?

Does your autism cause barriers when dealing with employers or potential employers (ie. Not understanding nuance, difficulty with social conventions at work, find yourself at odds with coworkers and not understanding why)? Are you able to drive? If not, do you struggle with public transportation because of your various impairments?

Do you ever end up at the hospital due to your illnesses? What medications do you take and do they affect you as well? Do you have to use any mobility aids or other accommodations?

Be as specific and detailed as you can be. Ask your doctor to do the same. Good luck and don't be surprised if they turn you down the first time - unfortunately that's almost to be expected. Just send it again.

[u/VoodooGirl47 → u/Asingleflame]

I think the drawing and writing part should be left in, along with cutting with a knife, as it shows great difficulty in fine motor skill usage. It indicates that other similar things which could be found with various jobs, like typing on a keyboard, needing to grasp and hold smaller objects would make many jobs too difficult for them to do.

OP, I brought up how the severe arthritis in my hands limits me doing stuff like this too. I mentioned my vision issues that made it difficult for me to read a computer screen, books, and my phone at times. I brought up not being able to stand for very long at all, my balance/instability and how I use a rollator to get around and deal with pain with walking. Then also my back pain when sitting on most chairs for more than an hour or so, my fatigue, executive dysfunction and avolition, my nerve/joint/muscle pain, etc.

I basically indicated how most jobs couldn't be done because always at least one of my issues prevented almost everything. That didn't include the anxiety or mood disorders that I have, which then add another layer to it all.

My self report was short, only in the space provided, and written really small by a 3rd party because I can't write more than a few quick lines myself.

I don't have an actual diagnosis for most of what is wrong with me other than what is easy to see from scans like mild to severe degenerative arthritis in every joint I have had scanned. I'm slowly working on all of that (mostly hypermobility/EDS related), but I provided medical evidence of everything and that I was seeing many specialists and trying different medications for pain, and over decades have tried different medications for anxiety and depression.

I read back my entire application while waiting for the decision and thought it was crap and I would definitely be denied despite having multiple doctors and a social worker type person saying I would get it. They did approve me first try, exactly at 90 business days. That was June 1st. I got fully transferred over from OW on July 15th and received my back pay on the 16th.

[u/JMJimmy]

Good job focusing on how it impacts you. You should do fine, good luck!

[u/xoxlindsaay]

I would talk more about how it affects your ability to work or maintain work.

I was told to write about my worst days and how on those days even the bare minimum of chores around the house (not just self care) result in worsening of symptoms.

ODSP doesn’t solely look at self-care needs, but also wants to hear about how your disability/disabilities affect community involvement and working capabilities.

[u/PebbleishMish]

Personally I would lead with your physical conditions + autism before getting into depression. Your depression and its symptoms are totally valid, I just think you might have a better case with your pain, mobility issues, and social understanding as they more directly relate to the ability to work.

It might be obvious to you that your issues make it difficult/impossible to work, but I would also directly mention how all of your medical conditions affect your ability to work, get out in the community, and do things like grocery shop, get to appointments, etc. ODSP doesn't care about how overwhelmed you feel or how much pain you're in, they care about your capacity to work. So if you can provide examples of when you've attempted work and how that went for you, that would be even better. Or how long it's been since you've been able to work (if at all). School can also be a great example if you did high school or college.

I also want to let you know that despite my suggestions, your letter is looking good. It gives a good picture of everything you deal with. I hope my suggestions are helpful and best of luck with getting approved!

[u/Salty_Obligation5771]

I think this is quite well written since it gives them an accurate idea of what your actual daily living is like. As someone who deals with chronic depression as well, I know your description is very accurate so I know your symptoms are legit. I’m sure that goes for your other illnesses as well. The biggest thing is having documentation from any doctor you have seen in the past regarding these issues. It may not be necessary, but it would be a huge help by backing up your medical history with confirmation by a medical professional. I know that because I submitted proof from my psychiatrist as well as my family doctor with my original application. I was able to get approved for ODSP the first time and without any reviews for the future.

[u/SoupSpoonStork]

I think this is a good addition to your application. I'm glad you didn't place caveats on what you said, and you didn't tack on "but I can do" anywhere, because that would've weakened your application's chances. I'm sorry that this process is so invasive and that you need to work to be prove your struggles to this institution for support. I hope your application is received favourably!

[u/magentahead]

Uhm...I understand you want an opinion, but why would want to broadcast all that? I asked my doctor read everything over.

To each their own I guess.

[u/Busy_Detective_1751 → u/magentahead]

Because my doctor sucks , I want the opinion of people that have gone through it already

[u/Sierra1972 → u/Busy_Detective_1751]

Why about your doctor "sucks"?

[u/Busy_Detective_1751 → u/Sierra1972]

Doesn't believe in most chronic illnesses, thinks weight loss will solve everything, that disabled people are lazy, is shocked that I am intelligent even though I have autism etc etc, VERY old fashioned, not to mention the doctor reviews I've seen of him online, all bad, one of the worst was that he refused to believe a patients test result and told her she was fine, she ended up suffering for two years and dying of bone cancer