Finally, the day has come!

Mike's long-awaited disability hearing was this morning in Louisville. It's been a good 18 months since we started the process and over a year since his initial rejection. (which is pretty standard from my understanding.) We've spent a long time worrying over this and wondering how it was going to go, but I'm happy to say that he was approved for full disability!

I cannot begin to tell you how great this makes me feel, and how much of an impact it has already made on Mike. It's like I saw a physical change in him and the weight of the world lifted off of his shoulders immediately. I don't have words to describe what it's like to see someone you love overcome something like this, to see them really relieved. It's a great feeling.

Now we're just waiting on all the paperwork to run through the system. His lawyer said it could take up to 90 days (sometimes more, sometimes less) to see any money because of this. And based on the date of the beginning of his disability that the judge agreed upon he should start getting medical benefits some time this summer. Of course he will receive back pay from that date until now, which is going to help a great deal. We have to pay the lawyer first naturally but it'll help us (hopefully) get a better car and get to a place financially where we aren't struggling so much.

I've said it a million times before, but I know a lot of people don't know what it's like to struggle with mental disability (or to live with someone who does.) It's been really hard watching Mike make decisions that not only impact him, but me as well. When Mike was working it was really hard. Sure we had that extra money coming in, but he was miserable all the time. He couldn't handle the stress of working on top of dealing with his disease. So he made the choice to quit working. Which admittedly was scary on my behalf. But the change I saw in him after some time away from work was pretty substantial. His demeanor changed and his attitude towards life in general changed. Of course there was the added worry about how bills were going to get paid on my salary alone, but we got lucky with help from family. I would say in our case the reward outweighed the risk (and that reward was having a happier, healthier Mike.)

Agreeing to his desire to quit working was HARD, I'm not going to lie. Especially because I don't make that much money. But at the end of the day you have figure out what is more important. Money or good mental health? I don't think people realize how important the latter is. Looking back I feel good, as a spouse, about that decision.

Anywho, I'm rambling because I have a bit of a headache. I've been sick the past couple days and am finally starting to feel better....plus I just woke up from a nap since I had to get up so early today. We're heading up to Indianapolis this afternoon to see Kevin Smith's new movie and to have a Q&A, so I'm pretty excited. Over all it's been a pretty good day and I'm looking forward to celebrating a little with our friends. Getting to a relax after being tense for a year and a half is pretty great.

Also, while I'm thinking about it, next week is Ayden's 1st birthday! Can you believe it? My mom and I are going to throw him a party here at my apartment, which I'm really looking forward to. It'll be a great day I'm sure :)

being happy is good times.