Winning Social Security Disability Benefits for Ataxia in Chicago, IL
While it can be very disheartening when you (or a loved one) are suffering from ataxia, it may be reassuring to know that you could qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
Certain types of ataxia qualify for expedited benefits under the Compassionate Allowances program for diseases that obviously meet the requirements for disability benefits and warrant a faster decision on benefits.
Ataxia is a rare neurological problem. A progressive, degenerative condition of the nervous system, ataxia can impact a person’s ability to talk, walk, and use fine motor skills.
The Chicago disability lawyers at Nash Disability Law can work with you, with care and compassion, to help you get financial relief. We’ve helped thousands of people.
WE’VE HELPED MORE PEOPLE IN THE CHICAGO AREA WIN BENEFITS THAN ANY OTHER LAW FIRM.
Symptoms that Qualify You for Disability Benefits for Ataxia
Patients who suffer from ataxia often appear intoxicated, with symptoms of stumbling or falling, slurred speech, and other signs of being uncoordinated.
This happens because the cerebellum—the part of the brain that coordinates movement—begins to degenerate. People of all ages can develop ataxia.
The most common type of hereditary ataxia is Friedreich’s ataxia, which affects approximately one in every 50,000 people.
Symptoms of this often develop before the age of 25.
Some of these symptoms include
- Difficulty swallowing
- Progressive weakness in the legs
- Abnormal curvature of the spine
- Partial or total hearing and vision loss
- Diabetes
- Loss of feeling in the feet and hands
Patients with this type of ataxia often have a shorter life expectancy than normal.
It’s free to reach out to the Chicago Social Security Disability lawyers at Nash Disability Law to discuss your situation, find out how to apply for disability benefits and see how benefits could ease your struggle.
Getting Disability Benefits for Ataxia: Different Types of the Disease that Qualify
Spinocerebellar ataxia fits into a group of hereditary ataxias that usually develop between the ages of 25 and 80, although some rare types can start during childhood.
Some symptoms are similar to Friedreich’s ataxia, including difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, and peripheral neuropathy—loss of feeling in the feet and hands.
However, other symptoms include muscle stiffness and cramps, incontinence, and slower eye movement, requiring the patient to move their head to compensate for the change in vision.
Ataxia telangiectasia is a rare type of hereditary ataxia that impacts about one in every 100,000 children.
Although symptoms often develop in early childhood, they can develop later.
Aside from some similarities to the other two kinds of ataxia, symptoms of AT include red blood vessel “spider-like” clusters on the cheeks and in the corners of the eyes, a weaker immune system that makes patients especially susceptible to infections, and an increased risk of cancer.
Approximately 40 percent of patients suffering from AT develop cancer.
If you are unable to work due to ataxia or another disability, the disability attorneys at Nash Disability Law can help you achieve a greater sense of security and peace.
Find out more about what Social Security Disability lawyers do for you on this page: What Does A Social Security Disability Lawyer Do for People in Chicago?
And call us any time.
