To the attention of:
Barack Obama, US President;
Beverly Perdue, Governor of North Carolina;
US Senators from North Carolina: Kay R. Hagan, Richard Burr;
US Representatives from North Carolina: Brad Miller, David E. Price, G. K. Butterfield, Heath Shuler, Howard Coble, Larry Kissell, Melvin L. Watt, Mike McIntyre, Patrick T. McHenry, Renee L. Ellmers, Sue Wilkins Myrick, Virginia Foxx, Walter B. Jones;
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Sharon Collins
1132 Ada Avenue
WS, NC 27105
10/15/11
CLAIM-ZACHARY ANDREW COLLINS MYRICK
#2006605
Attention Leaders,
I am desperate and have no where else to turn. I will present a synopsis of my situation, I am not offering a justification for my circumstances, merely an explanation and a plea for rectification of this matter.
I am a single mother. I work hard and receive no public assistance. I have an 18 year old son, of whom I am legal guardian and sole provider. He has been diagnosed ADHD, Bi-Polar, OCD, Autisim, Personality Disorder and MR. These diagnosis has affected Zach, and myself, negatively in so many ways. All of the information I am provding may be confirmed if need be or you could refer to SSI application which has lengthy documentation.
I applied on July 21, 2011 for disabilty benefits for Zach. I provided every documentation requested and also other information I felt may be beneficial for his case. On September 8, 2011, I called the office of Social Security to inquire as to what the status was regarding his claim. At that time, I was informed that medical records from Dr. Susan Ferrell's office had not been received, I contacted Dr. Ferrell's office and had them refax the medical records. I called on September 23, 2011 and was told he may need IQ testing, she thought not but she would notify me via mail within one to two weeks if he did require IQ testing. Testing was obtained within last year (sent to SS) and his score was 58. Zach was diagnosed with the variety of special needs since he was apx. 3 years old, requiring numerous meds and testing every aspect of his lack of capabilities. At that point, I had not had any communication with the SS office advising needed addtional testing since September 23rd when I last called. October 5, 2011, I called SS office and I am informed that all medical records had been received but they had not been written up nor submitted to doctor. Also, called Disability Examiner on October 5th, I left a message informing the examiner of the dire financial need that Zach was experiencing and the monies that had to be paid by myself for insurance, medications and visits to his team of doctors. I inquired in my message was there anything that I personally do to speed up this process and ask that she please return my call, she did not return call nor have any sort of communication to me. October 14, 2011 at 8 AM and was told couldn't tell what claim status was and that the disabilty examiner would be calling me promptly regarding Zach's claim, again, no phone call or communication on her part (Disability Examiner-Chiqueta Wilson, phone 800-887-0821,ext. 6226).
If Zach is not promptly approved for SSI and the Medicaid that comes with it, I will be forced to terminate his school enrollment so that he would be eligible for Medicaid. Zach's medications are numerous and there is no way I can pay for these out of pocket. His medications, mental health appointments and monitoring drugs now taken due to the quanity and adverse affects are vital for Zach to maintain any sense of normalancy in his life, without them, he is uncontrollable and dangerously impulsive, becoming a danger to himself and others.
I am pleading with you, please don't ignore my cries for help enabling Zach to become just another statisic.
Receiveing calls on my job jepordizes my position and maintaining consistent employment is mandatory since there are no other forms of financial support in my home. Due to this factor, I authorize my sister, Deborah Collins Booe (336-331-3985) to discuss this matter with you as well as relay information to you. I am so desperate for Zach at this point it is disheartening, I have been his only advocate since we began this journey and now that he is reaching another milestone in his life (becoming 18) we still continue to struggle in obtaining reasonable expectations from the government.
I look forward to hearing from you soon. I appreciate the opportunity to address my concerns with you and for the prompt, positive input that I trust will be forthcoming.
Sharon Collins
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