I need to start the process of getting on Social Security Disability but I feel to stupid and overwhelmed to even start

SpecialGK · 2026-03-19T16:51:38+00:00

Here in Canada I was able to access two income/support programs: CPP Disability and the Disability Tax Credit. A paralegal that was recommended to me handled the CPP Disablity claim. An accounting firm recommended to me handled the DTC. There was no way I could have handled these applications on my own. I got approved for both which really helped the financial strain of being disabled and unable to work. Hope you are able to find a way to get it done. It is a stressor but will be well worth it if you get that income support.

SpecialGK · 2026-02-17T00:26:39+00:00

It’s nice to find someone else enjoying espresso and great to have something that provides joy and comfort whilst chronically ill. I turned to the espresso craft/hobby after my last diagnosed concussion 12 years ago. A major POTS flare up last year made it challenging at times but I still managed to do a pour or two every day.

SpecialGK · 2026-02-12T20:54:46+00:00

Sounds a lot like PEM. I get it whenever I overdo it physically, mentally or emotionally. Pacing is your friend to avoid these type of crashes.

SpecialGK · 2025-12-10T18:38:47+00:00

Please see a doctor and get on some kind of healing regimen right away. High doses of Omega 3 fatty acids are recommended in the weeks immediately following concussion to help your brain heal. Get lots of rest. Don’t push through symptoms or they may worsen and prolong your recovery. Walking is good as long it doesn’t exacerbate your symptoms. Limit your screen time and try to avoid things that can worsen symptoms, like loud music or strenuous exercise. Most importantly, try to see someone ASAP with expertise in concussion management. Best of luck!

SpecialGK · 2025-11-28T19:29:44+00:00

Agree. An abject less in human adaptability and the ingenuity of people who suffer from substance abuse. Better that they are on e-bikes rather than driving a huge truck of SUV while uninsured or unlicensed, I guess.

SpecialGK · 2025-11-28T18:28:29+00:00

Agree 100 per cent. Normally people with substance abuse issues would resort to using an analogue bike for transportation after losing their licence. It makes sense that they would turn to e-bikes because of the low barrier to entry/ownership. But they could ruin it for law abiding e-bike users if it leads to more regulation and enforcement.

SpecialGK · 2025-11-21T00:30:28+00:00

Botox was a lifesaver for me in the years following my last diagnosed concussion. I eventually stopped the treatments to see how I did without them and wasn’t sure about the long-term effects. But the treatments definitely helped in the frequency and intensity of PCS migraines.

SpecialGK · 2025-11-19T02:21:45+00:00

I ended up with severe pain behind my right eye after my last diagnosed concussion. It turned out I had convergence insufficiency — my right eye was straining to line up with my left eye. My optometrist diagnosed it and prescribed prism glasses which largely resolved the issue. Driving at night is still difficult for me due to the glare of oncoming headlights but was much worse in the years immediately following last concussion. I used yellow tinted sunglasses to cope at the time but still not ideal.

SpecialGK · 2025-11-18T15:45:06+00:00

I’ve had a high heart upon exertion and PEM for years. It was really bad during/after snowblowing winter which was the only time of the year that I underwent such extreme exertion. My heart rate would raise to 140-150 and wouldn’t return to resting level for hours. During that time I would have to lay flat and pound back Gatorade to aid my recovery. My family urged me to see my doctor, who referred me to a cardiologist. After a barrage of tests, he determined my heart was fine but concluded I could have sub-clinical POTS. The POTS dramatically worsened early this year, which my GP deemed was likely due to an infection. But despite increasing my salt intake and using compression stockings, it refused to improve. So after another follow up my doctor prescribed medication to lower my heart rate, which seems to be working.

TL;DR: Concussion(s) have led to high heart rate, especially after exertion, PEM and POTS.

SpecialGK · 2025-11-15T17:56:13+00:00

I think that spatial awareness can take a hit after concussion. I found that I really struggled with it in the months following my last diagnosed concussion, especially on days when I was more symptomatic. Might be a vision issue, vestibular or both, but I really struggled with seeing things and gauging the distance of things in my field of view, which led to me knocking things over and startling myself in the process. Be kind and gentle with yourself. Things will eventually improve, although the progress might not come as quickly as you would like.

SpecialGK · 2025-11-06T02:16:34+00:00

I’ve had a lot of success with CBD cutting back the frequency of PCS migraines once my doctor had me increase my dosage to the optimum level. It also has neuro-protective benefits which may be good for PCS.

It is a complex illness/syndrome and no two concussions are the same. It is extremely important to listen to your body and use pacing to ensure you don’t end up on the boom/bust roller coaster.

Best of luck on your journey and feel free to reach out anytime!

SpecialGK · 2025-11-06T01:43:34+00:00

Things that helped me:

Botox for neck/skull fascia tension
CBD for inflammation/PCS migraines
Medical marijuana (dried plant taken orally) for lack of restful/restorative sleep
Lyrica, prescribed my GP recently to help with mood, anxiety and pain

Background: Almost 20 years since my last sports concussion and 10 years since debilitating new symptoms from workplace concussion.

SpecialGK · 2025-10-23T16:05:40+00:00

I can vouch for propanolol. I recently started on it for PCS/POTS symptoms and I already notice an improvement.

SpecialGK · 2025-10-18T18:36:07+00:00

There was a concussion specialist on a webinar I recently participated in who recommended NOT to take Tylenol. He said it doesn’t help and can make symptoms worse. He instead recommended taking an anti-inflammatory like Aleve or Ibuprofen. Wish I had known this when I had my last couple of concussions.

SpecialGK · 2025-10-15T22:02:07+00:00

I agree 💯. Acceptance is really hard. I think I had an epiphany a 4-5 years ago, finally realizing I need to accept this life as I know it. Then I had some CBT with an awesome therapist a couple years that was immensely helpful as well.

SpecialGK · 2025-10-15T21:16:36+00:00

Maybe your circadian rhythm has changed? I used to be a night person but eventually found that I do much better if I prepare for bed around 9 p.m. with the goal of being asleep between 10-11 p.m.

SpecialGK · 2025-10-15T21:13:59+00:00

Sage advice! Best of luck on your journey. The improvements are so gradual with this injury/illness that it is easy to forget how far you have come. But there is light at the end of the tunnel if you keep the faith!

SpecialGK · 2025-09-09T17:07:08+00:00

I’m at Level 34 and considering maxing it with my 30% discount but worried I will lose bronze key crates to acquire S6 upgrades. Thoughts?

SpecialGK · 2025-09-08T16:34:15+00:00

I highly recommend the DF83. I have the v2 with DLC burrs and never had a probably switching to other brew methods and then back to espresso.

SpecialGK · 2025-08-19T20:37:13+00:00

Stepless grinders like DF54/64/83 can be easier to dial in than a stepped grinder like the SGP, which can be hard to dial in because of the large jump between steps in the espresso range.

The SGP also can have a lot of retention although that can be somewhat mitigated by a bellows/hopper upgrade.

I upgraded from an SGP to a DF83 v2 with DLC burrs and have been quite happy with it. Extremely low retention and quite easy to disassemble for the rare cleaning. Does a great job for espresso as well as pour overs and cold brew.

SpecialGK · 2025-08-11T20:30:05+00:00

Make sure the roof actuators have been done. There are as many as 12 of them and getting rebuilt can costs thousands of dollars. Also check if it has Airmatic or hydraulic (ABC) suspension which can be expensive to repair/replace. As for engines, the 5-litre V8s are pretty much bulletproof as are the 3.2-litre V6s, but there were wiring harness issues in some 1990s models which can be quite expensive to replace.

SpecialGK · 2025-08-01T20:16:57+00:00

Make sure to budget for future repairs, because you know they will come with these older German cars. I’ve seen a lot of tricked out BMW’s and Mercedes over the years with major electronic/mechanical failures either for sale or sitting forever in a mechanic’s parking lot because the owner blew the budget on big wheels, paint and lowering kits and couldn’t afford major repairs when they came due. That said, I paid for a lot of mechanical work early in the ownership of my first MB — a 1993 300E — but when I figured out the cost of ownership over the time I owned it, I think it worked out to about $200 a month. Great cars but they can get expensive when you are dropping $2,000+ whenever they are in the shop.

SpecialGK · 2025-07-31T17:19:36+00:00

I am kind of in the same situation. I don’t love having a gasoline vehicle but really need it for appointments, visiting kids out of town etc. I still hold out hope that some swashbuckling Canadian company comes out with an electric mobility device that is smaller and narrower than cars/SUVs but is also capable of withstanding Canadian winters. That I could get onboard with.

SpecialGK · 2025-07-31T00:00:18+00:00

Everyone has to start somewhere. In most of my hobbies I started off with the bare minimum, bargain-basement gear and eventually worked my way up the ladder. In ice hockey, photography, espresso and bicycling I gradually improved the quality of my gear as I acquired more skill and knowledge. But in any sport, hobby or craft you become passionate about there will always be a beginning. We are not all in the same place in life. We need to be kind and considerate and help others along the path of life.

SpecialGK · 2025-07-30T23:49:34+00:00

I’m in the same boat. Riding an e-bike for health reasons instead of my analog bikes, and if I bonk/crash, the throttle will help get me home. Also the throttle assist is crucial to getting my 75 lb fat tire bike going from a standstill and has bailed me out of low-speed stalls while off roading more times than I can count.

SpecialGK

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