Reflecting on Resilience and Support
As the holiday season begins, November invites us to pause and reflect on resilience and the power of support. This month, we focus on the importance of perseverance and the role of support in navigating long term disability claims. At Riemer Hess, we believe that while it’s essential to acknowledge the challenges, it’s equally important to recognize progress and appreciate the strength that carries us forward.
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Celebrating Strength and Resilience
Each month, our staff selects a client who has exemplified determination and perseverance, often highlighted by their ability to maintain perspective in challenging situations. This award is a testament to the positive impact of staying focused and resilient.
This Month's Inspiration: Roger
This month, we are proud to honor Roger as our Brave Client Award recipient. Roger’s journey began unexpectedly when he experienced cold sweats and extreme fatigue during a household chore. Trusting his instincts, he sought immediate medical care, which led to the discovery of a blocked artery. After undergoing an angiogram and receiving a stent, Roger believed he could return to his demanding job full-time. However, while traveling for work, Roger suffered a fall that resulted in a concussion. This incident marked the beginning of a challenging period as he struggled to maintain the rigorous demands of his job, which required frequent travel, attending major events, and constant use of technology.
Following surgery in 2022, Roger’s health further declined. His headaches intensified, and he began experiencing ringing in his ears, making it impossible to continue working at the same capacity. Despite these challenges, his long term disability claim was denied. The insurer narrowly focused on his cognitive abilities, disregarding the physical symptoms and challenges that significantly impacted his ability to work.
Roger turned to us for help. Our team immediately identified key steps to strengthen his case, including a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) to better document his physical limitations. We also noted that the insurer’s neuropsychological expert failed to properly evaluate the full scope of Roger’s condition. Through determination and strategic advocacy, we overturned the denial, securing Roger’s benefits.
Roger’s resilience didn’t stop there. He retained our firm for ongoing monitoring services, and when the insurer denied benefits again after a change in the policy’s definition of disability, we swiftly appealed on his behalf. With thorough preparation and a strong case, we achieved another victory, overturning the denial and reinstating his benefits in record time.
Throughout this process, Roger has been a source of inspiration for our team. Despite multiple denials and setbacks, he maintained a positive outlook, determination, and unwavering trust in our team. Representing him has been an honor, and we are grateful for the opportunity to advocate on his behalf. Roger’s story is a reminder that perseverance and a focus on progress can make all the difference, even in the face of life’s toughest challenges
Highlighting the Power of Determination
"Victory Vignettes" this month features clients who have demonstrated resilience and perseverance, showing how these qualities have been instrumental in navigating their disability claims successfully.
A Grateful Journey: Vicky
This month, we celebrate Vicky, our Victory Vignette honoree, whose journey showcases the transformative power of persistence and determination in the face of adversity.
Vicky, a manager at a major company, initially filed her disability claim on her own. Unfortunately, she was met with a denial when transitioning from Short Term Disability to Long Term Disability—a process that proved far more challenging than expected. With a range of diagnoses, including small fiber neuropathy, recurrent mononucleosis (which impacted her sleep), a tick-borne illness, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and fibromyalgia, Vicky’s symptoms severely affected her cognitive abilities and physical stamina.
The insurer’s denial cited insufficient medical documentation, ignoring the debilitating impact of her conditions, particularly her small fiber neuropathy and cognitive impairments. Worse, they suggested her symptoms stemmed from secondary depression and criticized her treatment regimen. Undeterred, Vicky sought our firm’s assistance with her appeal after being referred by a previous client.
Our team immediately got to work, partnering with Vicky and her specialists to build a compelling case. We demanded that the insurer reverse its denial, presenting substantial new evidence that irrefutably demonstrated her disability. This included Cardiopulmonary Exercise Tests (CPET), neuropsychological evaluations, a brain injury functional evaluation, and comprehensive reports and questionnaires from her doctors and specialists.
Through our efforts, we not only proved that Vicky’s conditions prevented her from performing the demanding responsibilities of her role as a manager but also highlighted that attempting to do so would exacerbate her illnesses. The evidence was undeniable, and we successfully overturned the denial, securing the benefits she deserved.
Vicky’s journey is a powerful reminder that persistence and resilience can play a pivotal role in navigating even the most challenging circumstances. Her trust in our team, combined with her determination to fight for her well-being, led to a victory that restored her stability and peace of mind. At Riemer Hess, we are proud to have been part of her success story.
This November, as we reflect on resilience and strength, we are proud to spotlight Jane Doe, a young woman whose story highlights the importance of perseverance, compassion, and teamwork in advocacy. Jane has faced significant health challenges, including Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Long Covid, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Despite the physical and cognitive toll of these conditions, Jane approached her situation with a clear goal: to transition out of her demanding role on good terms and secure the disability benefits needed to focus on her health.
In Q2 of 2024, Jane turned to Riemer Hess for guidance. We collaborated closely with her medical team to gather critical documentation, including medical records and narrative letters, to substantiate her Short Term Disability (STD) claim. Our team also explored additional testing, such as a Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) and neuropsychological evaluation, to provide objective evidence of her limitations.
By Q3, these collective efforts paid off when we successfully secured Jane’s STD benefits. However, the insurer has required ongoing periodic updates rather than approving benefits for their maximum duration. As we prepare to transition Jane to Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits, we remain dedicated to meeting the insurer’s requirements and ensuring her claim remains well-supported.
Jane’s approach to this process has been defined by her determination and commitment to maintaining positive relationships with her employer and medical team. Her trust in our firm and willingness to advocate for herself alongside us have been truly inspiring. Clients like Jane remind us of the power of collaboration and the impact of a well-prepared, strategic approach to advocacy.
At Riemer Hess, we are deeply committed to supporting our clients through every step of their journey. As we honor Jane’s story, we are reminded of the privilege of helping our clients secure the benefits they need to regain stability and peace of mind.
Building Resilience Through Small Steps
Building resilience and maintaining a balanced perspective can be invaluable during the disability claim process. Here are some strategies to stay strong and focused:
- Recognize Progress: Celebrate even small steps forward as meaningful milestones in your journey.
- Document Your Thoughts: Keep a journal to reflect on your experiences, challenges, and achievements.
- Practice Self-Affirmation: Practice daily affirmations to cultivate a positive mindset.
These practices can help enhance your mental well-being and provide a balanced perspective on your disability claim process.
Fostering Resilience and Reflection for Well-being
In November, as we embrace a time for reflection and resilience, we recommend a resource that provides practical insights into strengthening mental well-being and adapting to life’s challenges. This month’s book recommendation offers a scientific exploration of how thoughtful habits can transform our outlook and foster resilience.
"Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier”
By: Robert A. Emmons
About the Book: "Thanks!" by Robert A. Emmons, a leading expert in the field of positive psychology, delves into the science of gratitude and its profound impact on emotional and physical health. Emmons presents evidence from research studies and personal experiences to demonstrate how reflective practices can strengthen relationships, improve mental health, and enhance overall well-being. The book offers practical suggestions for incorporating these habits into daily life.
Why It’s Relevant: For clients handling long term disability claims, resilience and adaptability are critical during uncertain times. "Thanks!" provides valuable tools for building emotional strength and maintaining focus, even when facing significant challenges. Emmons’ work offers an accessible guide to finding balance and developing habits that promote mental clarity and calm.
Why You Might Find It Inspiring: This book is not just about recognizing what’s good—it’s about actively practicing strategies to foster a stronger, more resilient mindset. For clients navigating stress and adversity, "Thanks!" offers an empowering perspective on finding moments of clarity and building a foundation for emotional well-being.
As we reflect on resilience this November, let "Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier" serve as a guide for discovering habits that can strengthen your ability to persevere and thrive.
December: “Reflections and Looking Forward”
Riemer Hess wants to know: Reflecting on the past year, what have been your key learnings or moments of growth in your disability claim journey?
Share your insights anonymously by clicking the Microsoft forms link below.
Reflecting with Strength and Resilience
As we spend this month in reflection, let’s acknowledge the progress made and the support that has carried us forward. At Riemer Hess, we are committed to standing by you, fostering resilience as the foundation for navigating life’s challenges.
Looking Ahead to December:
In December, we will reflect on the past year and look forward to setting goals for the future in our "Year in Review: Looking Back, Moving Forward" edition.
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