Woman Uses a Wheelchair For Her Paraplegia. Then the Government Declared Her No Longer Disabled: ‘I Still Can’t Walk’

One woman, who was involved in a car accident that left her with paraplegia, was allegedly informed by the government that she was no longer disabled, despite remaining a wheelchair user. Nikki Walsh (@nikkiwalsh.adaptfit) shared her baffling experience in a video, told in a sarcastic tone as she assembled her wheelchair.

In Walsh’s video, which has since garnered over 228,200 views, she stated in her caption that she had been “cured” of her disability, according to the Social Security Administration. “Y’all are never going to believe this. I just got the best news ever from Social Security in the mail,” Walsh said. “They told me, which I think is a little weird, they told me that my disability has ended. I am no longer disabled.”

It is apparent from Walsh’s tone that she seemingly found Social Security’s mail and the entire situation rather ludicrous. Walsh can be seen in the video assembling her wheelchair, showing that she was, contrary to the Social Security Administration’s observation, still paraplegic.

Walsh is said to be earning enough to not need government assistance

“Like I said, I think it’s weird because, you know, I still have to use a wheelchair,” Walsh said, as she lifted her wheelchair out of the car and attached its wheels. “I still can’t walk. I still need accessible parking, accommodations, adaptive equipment…ya know, all those fun little disabled person things,” she said in her caption.

@nikkiwalsh.adaptfit

Apparently I have been ✨CURED✨ according to Social Security!!! ?♿️ After almost 8 years, I received a letter saying my disability has “ended.” Spoiler alert…I am, in fact, still paralyzed?? I still use a wheelchair. I still can’t walk. I still need accessible parking, accommodations, adaptive equipment…ya know, all those fun little disabled person things. What they ACTUALLY mean is that I no longer qualify for SSDI benefits because I’ve been working and earning above Social Security’s monthly income limit. For anyone who doesn’t know, SSDI has work incentives that allow you to test your ability to work while still receiving benefits. One of those is a 9-month Trial Work Period. After that, there are additional rules around how much you can earn and continue receiving SSDI benefits. So no, my spinal cord did not spontaneously regenerate?? My disability didn’t “end.” I wish it were that easy? I built a career that eventually allowed me to earn too much to continue receiving my monthly SSDI benefit…and THAT is something I’m incredibly freaking proud of. ? I’m obviously being very sarcastic in this video because the wording of the letter absolutely SENT ME. Like congratulations everyone!!! I have been healed!!! ??? But underneath the joke, this is actually a pretty huge milestone for me? From wondering what my life, independence, and career would look like after becoming paralyzed…to building multiple businesses, working for myself, and reaching a point where I no longer qualify for SSDI because of my income! THAT part feels pretty damn good??♿️ And just a reminder y’all, your disability status and your ability to earn an income are two completely different things!! #WheelchairUser #SpinalCordInjury #SocialSecurityBenefits #DisabilityAwareness #AdaptiveTrainer

♬ original sound – Nikki Walsh

While Walsh shared the news in a rather entertaining way and made light of the situation, she also highlighted the key issue that led the Social Security Administration to declare her no longer disabled: her supposed income. According to Walsh, she claimed to have earned an income exceeding the limit supported by the government to make her eligible for disability insurance benefits.

“But I guess because I make over $1,450, or whatever the minimum is, I think that’s about it,” Walsh said. “Thank you, American government!” Walsh added before putting up a handicap sign in her car. This isn’t the first time an institution or company was slammed for seemingly being out of touch; one man called out UnitedHealthcare for denying them health coverage in a tactless manner.

Disability insurance is based on income

According to Crowe & Shanahan, disability insurance benefits can, ultimately, be ceased when a person begins earning a specific amount of money from work, or if their condition improves enough that they can return to work without their disability affecting their work outcome. “The applicant must also have very little income or property because this benefit is based on financial need,” Crowe & Shanahan said.

Social Security Disability Insurance also offers ways for those with disabilities to reintegrate into the workforce as they continue to receive the benefits. An example of this is a trial work period where those under this program can work for up to nine months with disability insurance benefits. But payments may stop when the government deems the person eligible to work with no issues.

Viewers were left outraged that Walsh’s support was cut off, with many claiming that $1,450 is not enough to live on in this economy. “And who the F*** can survive on $1500 anyways,” one user said. “The limit is like $2000 a month. But rent is $1900. MAKE IT MAKE SENSE,” another said.

Some also criticized the current administration. “This Trump administration is literally killing us!” One even pointed out a politician was allegedly receiving benefits: “And yet a disabled senator, McConnell, is still getting a full paycheck, and that’s WELL over $1,450 a month. His SSDI income is now $14,000. That’s over the legal threshold, and yet he STILL is getting his full paycheck. When he can’t do his job… So why isn’t his paycheck being cut when he isn’t able to work at all?” Notably, Walsh can re-apply for benefits should her income drop below the eligibility limit.

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