I am 73 now I worked till 65 I had MS for over 35 years I've been in a wheel chair for 10 or so years I forget also I can't tell you when I was diagnosed it is not important to me dealing from day to day is. The company I worked for was great to me when I first had problems, I told them I had to quit and they said no they will work with me I was in the wood shop when this started, my balance got bad and walking so I sat down and sewed for a while till a job in Maintenace came open I loved it I fixed all hand tools drill drivers, staple guns, glue guns, anything that needed to be done. They were very good to me, The Disability act was starting and I helped with that, so I helped with them and they helped with me.Now my wife takes care of me and things around the house she is a real God send I do not know what would happen to me with Her Yes, I do!O well.

After my butt-kicking initial attack I went on SSDI for a couple/few years. Then worked for decades only to go back onto SSDI when MS forced my from working.

IMO your world "shrinks" dramatically and much faster when you're not working -- a bunch of subtle but bad side effects.

So my advice would be if you can work, work. And if you can't, then don't -- but do try to find something to fill your time and ensure you're active and out of the house.

Thanks for sharing. I worked early too but the overall work history income is how our monthly SSDI income is calculated. Every dollar counts 🙂.

I wish I could work but ms decided to affect everything. I was good at my job and was told by a lot my 25% would beat most people's 100%, but unfortunately I can't even give 5% and I am only 39. Luckily I have been working legally since 16; don't get it twisted working before 16 wasn't legal but fun and instilled a good work ethic.

I was fortunate to have worked as long as I did but forgoing your health isn't worth it. 16-38, isn't very long but longer than Some get.