Mr. Nelson applied for disability benefits, but was denied at both the initial and reconsideration stages. By the time he came to The Hawkins Center, he had been waiting one-and-a-half years for financial and medical assistance. His attorney submitted a brief to the judge urging him to issued an expedited decision. Attached to the brief was a detailed letter from Mr. Nelson's physician stating that not only was Mr. Nelson's disease disabling, it was life threatening.
Months passed during which time Mr. Nelson's condition deteriorated. His attorney submitted a second letter from the physician reiterating that Mr. Nelson's life was at great risk. The attorney phoned and wrote the judge exhorting him to issue a speedy decision based on the overwhelming evidence in the record.
Ultimately, the judge did issue a decision granting Mr. Nelson benefits. However, several weeks elapsed before the district office began to calculate his benefits. Before any benefits had been paid, Mr. Nelson died of heart failure. He was 32 years old. He waited three years for a decision which, sadly, never yielded benefit or security.
While waiting for his case to be decided, Mr. Nelson wrote a letter
to his Congressman. He stated, "Going through this process has been, aside
from my health problems, one of the most difficult things I have had to
do. I hope by writing this letter that some serious consideration will
be given to changing the current system." We hope that Mr. Nelson's voice
will be heard.