Hi Luann,It's difficult to tell here what type of disability you're talking about, so I'll just assume you might be referring to disability through Social Security (either SSDI or SSI) and address the one I'm familiar with.
First, the issue of taking Botox during pregnancy has come up numerous times on this BB, as well as at various SD group meetings and SD symposiums. There are no statistics/study which say(s) Botox is damaging to a fetus but virtually every SD doctor I've heard address the subject says (to paraphrase: "If I knew you were pregnant, I wouldn't want to inject you"). The experienced Botox doctors seem to have a "better safe than sorry" philosophy.
Second, on disability: you don't qualify for SS disability through the SSA. The basic tenet is (before anything else is considered or documented)- your "disability" has to last at least a year or more, or be expected to end in death. That is the first thing that's considered.
No human pregnancy that I know of lasts a year. Also, because it sounds like Botox works for you based on your post, if you decided not to take a workable treatment (and couldn't work due to that decision) that's your personal choice and does not constitute a disability.
No SSA rep would ever judge you as disabled based on what you describe; however, your employer may have a plan which could accommodate you for a few extra weeks of being off work (or give you an alternative assignment temporarily) if you can't meet their vocal requirements, as determined in your Job Description.
SSA disability (either SSI or SSDI) is only for severely-disabled people who truly can't work due to their disability (and the reps will always check that you have tried everything to address your health situation or to try to work, in just about any reasonable field or function).
Good luck with your IVF treatments and I hope you have a healthy baby.
Also, I remember you are in Southern California, so feel free to write me later off the BB, about any of this or support group possibilities down there, at some time in the future. There are several interested people in the area.
Best wishes,
Lynne Martinez (AD-SD; 15 years; Northern California)
NSDA Pacific Regional Coordinator (California and Hawaii)
