Is Dwarfism A Disability?
Dwarfism can be caused by many disorders, such as achondroplasia which is a category of skeletal dysplasia. This harms 70% of the human body. In America, dwarfism affects thousands of people.
There are certain conditions specified by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that qualify an individual for getting disability benefits for dwarfism. As per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), dwarfism is recognized as a disability.
Generally, there are two types of dwarfism such as ;
- Short trunk dwarfism is characterized by a short upper body as compared to limbs.
- Short limb dwarfism is characterized by short limbs in comparison to the upper body.
What is Dwarfism?
Dwarfism is considered a costly disorder. This is because the medical treatment costs and the complexities of living with dwarfism can be significant.
Children who suffer from dwarfism may suffer from other ailments as well. Some of the most common impairments that are accompanied by dwarfism are as follows:
- Hearing loss
- Vision loss
- Excessive pain
- Heart defects
- Arthritis
- Breathing Problems
All these disorders accompany a child in adulthood. This aggravates the medical condition that an individual may have to suffer throughout his lifetime.
However, different types of medical treatment can cure dwarfism. Although, the expenses are often huge.
Some surgeries are available to a dwarfed individual. Through surgeries, you can transform the direction of the growing bones and also the treatment of the spinal cord in the right way. Many factors contribute to the high cost:
- Operation
- Hospital stays
- Physical therapies
- Recuperation
All these can cost you thousands of dollars. Some people prefer limb lengthening surgeries. These surgeries if performed without any mistake can make an individual taller.
Some people choose different types of surgeries such as leg-lengthening surgeries. In this surgery, the legs get longer. This increases the height of an individual.
One of the most common medical treatments for children who are suffering from dwarfism is growth hormone therapy.
In this therapy, the growth hormone is stimulated and cells reproduce themselves. However, this therapy can involve a lot of pain as daily injections are required.
Can You Get A Disability For Dwarfism?
Dwarfism is a condition in which an individual has short stature. Their height may be approximately 4 feet 10 inches or even less than that. When both the parents are dwarf then it may happen that the child is also dwarf.
Dwarfism is caused by skeletal dysplasia which is 400 or more present in the human body. This can lay an adverse impact on the bone growth and cartilage growth in a human body.
An individual who is suffering from an extreme condition of dwarfism that is preventing him from engaging in any daily activities may be eligible for social security disability benefits.
The healthcare professional can tell the dwarf individual what the likelihood is of qualifying for Social Security. There are two options to choose from while applying for the social security disability benefits:
- Conditions met as per the Blue Book of the Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Conditions met as mentioned under the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)
The process of applying may turn out to be time-consuming. It may take nearly 2 years to get your application approved by the SSA. After that, you will get the benefits.
In order to get your application approved, you need to have all the essential documents. This includes the following:
- Medical records
- Personal documents including birth certificate
- Tax information
If you send any incomplete information then SSA will be compelled to reject your application. Your benefits will be denied. Therefore, you must be careful enough to gather all important information in a precise manner.
Medical Documents That Are Required To Prove Your Disability
- Any medical record consisting of physical examinations reports along with accurate measurements
- Medical documents stating the growth rate in certain dwarfism cases
- Any test reports that include MRI, X-Rays, CT scans, or PET scans. This will indicate any of the uncertainty in bones and other glands
- Genetic testing reports. This will clarify whether the disability is genetic or not.
The other medical records can be any hormonal testing reports that will specify growth and development in an individual.
There must be a detailed prescription of the healthcare professional that indicates how complicated your disability is. This report must also indicate what constraints you are going through due to dwarfism.
You must also include any surgeries that you have gone through. Ongoing medical treatment must also be stated and all the documents must be presented. This will indicate the effective outcome of the treatment on an individual.
In case you or your loved one is suffering from dwarfism then you must seek assistance from a Disability Attorney in Dallas.