An open letter reprinted from Roger Mayer, sent via Facebook:

I write this letter this early morning out of Divine outrage and concern. Not for me, but for our system and our society.
In July of 2005, I was diagnosed with a benign meningioma cerebral tumor. That led to the first of four brain surgeries. A month and a half later, I contacted a staph infection that permeated my brain and skull and required the removal of the left temporal bone flap of my skull (2nd surgery,) a severe antibiotic regimen, confinement to a rehabilitation
center and 3 ½ months of therapies. While in the center, I developed a near fatal subdural hematoma, which took away my able to speak (much to the delight of a lot of people…) and the use of the right side of my body. In response to this, I was rushed back to the hospital for a three hour 3rd
surgery (which I was awake for…) to save my life. I then spent the entire winter in bed at home continuing the antibiotic therapy and under going physical, speech and psychiatric therapy to try to put my body and mind
back into alignment. In September of 2006, I had a 4th surgery to implant a titanium plate in my skull and fill the gaping hole left by removal of the left side of my skull.

I don’t write this out of any self-pity, but to illustrate a point.
Knowing that I was not going to be able to work for an extended period. I applied to take advantage of the Social Security Disability insurance that I had paid into my entire working life.

Due to the number of surgeries and the fact that two were emergencies that had to be done to save my life, I was left with a lot of scar tissue, lesions and an occurrence of brain seizures. These resulted in a constant state of cerebral pain and loss of cognitive ability. I did not sleep and was
simply not able to work until January of 2008: 2 ½ years after the first surgery. Because of the expenses imposed by the medical care system, insurance company and lost wages, I was drained of all my material wealth and forced deeply into debt.

I was not called for a hearing on my Social Security Disability claim until June 1, 2009; almost four years after my first surgery. At that hearing, I explained my condition and was finally asked by a physician on the 3-man panel if I could have lifted 25 pounds two months after the final surgery. I
said “yes,” went to explain and was told these are only “yes or no” questions. Lifting was never an issue. I could have lifted 25 pounds during the third surgery that I was awake for. Even if I could not use the right side of my body, I could have lifted that weight with my left hand as they were removing a deep hematoma for my brain.

Given this fact, I was only allowed the insurance that I had paid for a few months of the 2½ years I had requested. I appreciated any help I could get, but daughter and I really deserved and needed the funds for the entire time I was disable. After all, this is MY money and it is insurance for MY
family’s security and well-being. So, we appealed. Nine months later, I had had no word on the appeal even after inquiries from my attorney, my congressman and the neurologist who attended to me the period of denial. The last two sentences from my outraged doctor’s letter were, “This unfortunate man had very major neurologic injuries,
followed by infection, followed by subdural hematoma. The result of these illnesses prohibited him from working until January 2008.” Yesterday afternoon, I received notice that they had denied my request for review. No explanation. Just denial.

Again I do not write this letter not out of self-pity, but to point out that this system of providing security for the citizens of this country is horribly flawed and wrought with impersonal bureaucracy. It is cruel to deny any individual and his or her family the funds that they had reserved their
entire working life to assure simple security. It is a faceless system and has no sense of compassion and no means of any viable communications to understand situations in a timely fashion. I can assure you that it took far more money to have this go through the system in the five-year process
leading to denial than was to be given to me for the security of my daughter and myself.

Please pass this note on to others and let your representatives know that we demand the funds we set aside for our well-being. It IS our money after all and Social Security cannot be structured in a way so as to have their main purpose be to deny us our rights as American citizens.
Thanks for hearing me out and please, if you would, help spread the word that this system must be re-evaluated and altered so others do not lose their rightful material security as I have.

God Bless and Love America,

Roger Mayer
Newport Beach, California