The SistaMoon Foundation has received an invitation to attend the Social Security Administration’s “Compassionate Allowances Outreach Hearing on Autoimmune Diseases.” March 16, 2011. It is with regret that none of the Doctors contacted by the foundation appeared to receive an invitation to be witnesses. However, here is the list of witnesses that will be attending the hearing:

Virginia Ladd, President, American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association
Sandra Raymond, President and CEO, Lupus Foundation of America
Virginia Steen, M.D. Professor of Medicine, Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Georgetown University
John Booss, M.D., Neurologist, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Arthur Weinstein, M.D., Associate Chairman, Department of Medicine, Director, Division of Rheumatology, Washington Hospital Center
Philip Seo, M.D., Co-Director, Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital
Penelope Fletcher, President, Lupus Foundation of America, DC/MD/VA Chapter

The hearing that will take place on March 16, 2011, is an “umbrella meeting”. After the hearing is completed, a list of the diseases that have been discussed will be created and a conversation with the various organizations will take place regarding the “specific diseases. Diseases that will be included will be available on the compassionate allowance web-site.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances/

Because SistaMoon and Social Security Compassionate Allowance and Disability Outreach had their conference call prior to the hearing, NMO has already been suggested for possible inclusion. This does not mean automatic inclusion. It must be noted that Virginia Ladd, President, American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association has been, if “time permits” asked to speak on NMO at the hearing.

The hearing will stream live on the Compassionate Allowance and Disability Outreach website starting between 8:30am-9:00am until 5:00pm EST.

Anyone living in the DC/MD/VA Area and wants to attend, I have included the address of the hearing location. Thank you so much for your willingness to attend. Thank you to all the Doctors who responded and were willing and able to participate.

The hearing will take place on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. EST, in the International Ballroom of the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel, 101 West Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.  

Shelia Sheckles
Founder and CEO
SistaMoon Foundation

Dear Colleague:  
On behalf of Commissioner Michael J. Astrue, I invite you to attend the Social Security Administration’s “Compassionate Allowances Outreach Hearing on Autoimmune Diseases.” The hearing will take place on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. EST, in the International Ballroom of the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel, 101 West Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.  

 Compassionate Allowances are a way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical conditions that clearly qualify for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability benefits.  The initiative allows the agency to electronically target and make speedy decisions for the most obviously disabled individuals.   The March 16th hearing will focus on autoimmune diseases, including lupus, scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and vasculitis. Witnesses will include:

Virginia Ladd, President, American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association
Sandra Raymond, President and CEO, Lupus Foundation of America
Virginia Steen, M.D. Professor of Medicine, Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Georgetown University
John Booss, M.D., Neurologist, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Arthur Weinstein, M.D., Associate Chairman, Department of Medicine, Director, Division of Rheumatology, Washington Hospital Center
Philip Seo, M.D., Co-Director, Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital
Penelope Fletcher, President, Lupus Foundation of America, DC/MD/VA Chapter

Please RSVP by Noon on Monday, March 14, 2011.

Please let us know if you or members of your organization require any special accommodations.    For directions to the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel, please see: Sheraton.com/BaltimoreCityCenter   I look forward to your participation.  

Sincerely,  
Jamillah Jackson
Deputy Director   
for Office of Compassionate Allowances and Disability Outreach  

The photos came out so lovely. I am so glad to have been a part of that day. The Video was a wonderful experience and it came out great. Thank you to all who participated.

The SistaMoon Foundation is currently accepting donations for Nikki Young a Devic’s Disease/NMO survivor. She has been accepted in a program that is not covered by her insurance company. The program she has been accepted in is called “Step It Up Recovery Center INC“. This program is a 501 © 3 Non-Profit Organization You can donate the funds to the SistaMoon Foundation in Nikki’s Name at http://www.sistamoonfoundationfordevicsdisease.org/ or send your donations to the Step It Up Program in her name by sending a check to Step It up Recovery Center, INC. 508 Central Park Drive Sanford, FL 32771. 407 878-3757http://www.stepituprecovery.org/

The SistaMoon Foundation Team Thanks You in Advance for your donation of 5$, 10$, 25$ or whatever you can give.
Thank You