How Many W/disabilities Doing Cake Decorating?
Decorating By Letmebeurdesignr Updated 21 Aug 2007 , 7:09pm by Letmebeurdesignr
Hey Yall,
I had to go to the best hospital in the state today that is about 4 hours from me. I have had problems with headaches, neck, and back pain (especially since my fall in dec). I have seen 3 neurologist who kept telling me i was having migraines but i kept telling them it wasnt migranes because I wasnt sensitive to light nor noise and so on. Was on 30+ meds from Jan - May this year. I have been in physical therapy for about 2 months.
Well i went to UAB (the hospital) and seen the physical medicine dr today. I have to go back up there on the 20th to see a neurologist up there then go back on the 30th to see the dr i saw today. He is setting me up for an MRI on my lower back and also a nerve conductivity study on both of my legs. I have been having problems walking and standing and I sit for 8 hours a day at work in front of a computer typing in reports (data entry). Well he asked me if I had applied for SS/Disability and i told him no. He said that if i was going to to wait till after the MRI and the other tests he does comes back for the results. I looked at the diagnosis he gave me on my papers and it said siatica, cervical, lumbar.
My husband said that if i do get on disability that i wont be able to have my cake business like i am wanting because i wont be able to lift the cakes and all the other stuff i will need. I already have problems lifting stuff because i start hurting really bad.
Do any of yall have a disability to where you cannot do your cake stuff anymore? I am really really depressed about this now cause I dont know which way to go on this.
My chiropractor told me that if i lift something the wrong way it could paralyze me. My Internist told me the same thing.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Jennifer
Well, I am no expert but I believe as long as you are being considered "disabled" and unable to "work" and you are "working" by decorating cakes that if they find out you could be in a bit of trouble. I don't know how long you have been decorating cakes but it is hard work! I don't think that anyone collecting monthly checks for being unable to physically work would be justified in collectling additional money from working. Also, in your condition it wouldn't be a good idea. Would you really want to take a chance of never being able to walk again due to decorating a cake??? I'm sorry for your pain and condition. Perhaps it is a temporary situation and you will be back to good health real soon. Until then, I would listen to my doctor and take it easy.
Lazy_Susan
Speaking from personal experience, it wouldn't be a good thing.
For one, everything is going to take you at least 4 times as long to do.
Another, you can't lift the heavy stuff, roll out the fondant like you need to or twist and turn and contort your body like you normally would to put on some of those decorations.
I'd say, unfortunately, put off the business till you get better.
Mind you, my back has been like that for 7 years now, and counting. Now I've got to use a walker to go more than 50 feet distance, but would love to be baking right now...sigh....
Anyway, you are going to have to wait and hope it gets better, because if you try something right now in the way of decorating, you're likely going to make your back worse.
(Praying for you!)
I had to do a wedding cake, just a 6-9-12 last night from a wheeled office chair. I am in a foot cast for a couple weeks and can't be up, but I got a very small taste of having a disability and it was not easy. The cake layers were easy enough to put together individually. Even at "desk" height, stacking them was more difficult, you would have to have a table lower, so you can see where the center of the cake is. I got it together and decorated, but everything that I needed was out of reach, you would have to be set up with all your stuff right around you. I couldn't lift the cake up to go in the fridge, or for that matter, off the desk. And it took forever because of having new circumstances.
But all that being said, I'm sure you are devasted with the thought of not being able to pursue your passion but in the big picture, would you rather be paralyzed and not be able to do anything? You have to think of your health first and find a new passion. Very tough decision and I pray, also that you will overcome this.
A few thoughts from someone with a life long disability. I was born with no legs and my independence is the wheelchair. Not to mention the arthritis in all my joints (hands are getting worse) and degenerative disk disease.
In another life (lol) I studied architecture, so between life and school, I am pretty well versed in universal design and accessibility.
That said, only one counter in my kitchen is lowered (hubby removed the toe space) and it isn't even at a height recommended. I do cakes, cupcakes, cookies and candy. I've done 12 x 18's, layered or torted. I just did a stacked cake (in my photos) for DH's birthday and in June did a 3 tiered cake using the globe pillar set for my birthday. It wasn't the easiest thing to do but I was determined and very careful. I use a regular range and I have an OLD Oster Kitchen Center mixer. I mix/decorate/prep on that counter and I do use Wilton's less expensive turntable. I do have a plastic rolling drawer cabinet that I sometimes use or even the dining room table.
As far as being on disability, my experience is only with Social Security Disability (SSDI). If you go to the SSA's website, www.ssa.gov and click on disability and SSI there is some information about what is considered "substantial/gainful work". I haven't checked in a while but there is a certain amount of money one can make and still receive SSDI benefits. It's the SSA's definition of substaintial/gainful employment. Right now I don't do cakes outside family/good friends and only for cost.
I do love doing what I do and, as my dear parents told me, where there is a will there is a way! Good luck!
Toni Ann
I have been on SS disablility for 12 years now. They will not allow you to earn any income if you are collecting. If you can not work at a regular job then you can not earn income form cake decorating becuase that is a paid job.
that is what i thought..now im depressed as heck cause i am spending all this money and taking all these classes for nothing i guess...i gotta see what the MRI and nerve conductivity study says first. The dr yesterday is the one who brought up that first. I would want to at least work a part time job...something that is very easy. Now I guess all I can do is wait...::::sigh:::: 
When I read the title of your post, I immediately thought, well, my disability is that I'm "cake decorator challenged" 
Then I read on... I'm sorry you are haveing trouble with your back, etc. However, you need to definately do your homework if you are making any amount of money from cakes and are on ssi. I think that's a big no no.
I wish you the best of luck and hope you get better soon.
Amy
I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Myasthenia Gravis, Crone's Disease, Raynaud's Disease, Scleroderma, and Fibromyalgia. Even through all this, I am still able to decorate cakes. That being said, I agree with the others that your health should come first and foremost. No question about it. However, being disabled doesn't mean that you should give up on your dream of continuing to bake beautiful cakes. It simply means that you must learn how to adapt to the situation at hand.
There are still certain things that I cannot do (after over 10 years of 'adapting'). When someone wants a cake from me, I tell them up front that there may be specific things I cannot accomplish but it will be done to the best of my abilities. Make your counters shorter, use a chair, use a back brace, over time you will discover what you will need to do in order to make this work. But again, keep your help at the forefront of your mind. Nothing is more important. There will be times you must accept defeat, but there will also be times that you accomplish much more than you thought you could. Trust me, when you figure out a way around a physical obstacle, the accomplishments are just that much sweeter!
As far disability is concerned, no you cannot have a cake business and still receive disability payments. Please keep in mind that it is very difficult to get on disability by the governments standards. I have had these illnesses since I was 17 (currently 30), and I have been attempting to get accepted for over ten years now. I was just granted payments last year, and I had to hire a lawyer and appeal twice to finally receive anything. It's a tough decision, but if you feel that you must be on disability be prepared for these obstacles.
That being said - good luck and I wish you the best. Hopefully your condition will improve and you won't have to think about this issue again!
I just wanted to say that I wish you the best and you'll be in my thoughts... I'm sorry to hear of the horrible time that you're going through.
I have been on SS disablility for 12 years now. They will not allow you to earn any income if you are collecting. If you can not work at a regular job then you can not earn income form cake decorating becuase that is a paid job.
From the Social Security Administration website:
http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=317&p_created=959362523&p_sid=k6rqmWIi&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MjE2LDIxNiZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9MCZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PWVhcm5pbmcgYW5kIGRpc2FiaWxpdHk*&p_li=&p_topview=1
Question
I am receiving Social Security disability benefits. Will my benefits be affected if I work and earn money?
Answer
We have special rules called "work incentives" that help you keep your cash benefits and Medicare while you test your ability to work. For example, there is a trial work period during which you can receive full benefits regardless of how much you earn, as long as you report your work activity and continue to have a disabling impairment.
The trial work period continues until you accumulate nine months (not necessarily consecutive) in which you perform what we call "services" within a rolling 60-month period. We consider your work to be "services" if you earn more than $640 a month in 2007. For 2006, this amount was $620. After the trial work period ends, your benefits will stop for months your earnings are at a level we consider "substantial," currently $900 in 2007. For 2006, this amount was $860. Different amounts apply to people who are disabled because of blindness.
For an additional 36 months after completing the trial work period, we can start your benefits again if your earnings fall below the "substantial" level and you continue to have a disabling impairment. For more information about work incentives, we recommend that you read the leaflet, Working While Disabled-How We Can Help (SSA Publication Number 05-10095).
I have worked in the past but ALWAYS made under the amount they consider "substantial" and never had problems with SSA nor had my benefits stopped.
HTH,
Toni Ann
Thanks for the information yall have provided. Yall are a great support group. I will hopefully know something by the end of this month or the beginning of next month as to what is going on. Have to do my MRI and Nerve Conductivity Study this month.
I am so sorry for yall who are in pain. I know what you are going through. I am still working for now doing a sit down job but have to sit in front of the computer for 8 solid hours. I do have breaks but still doesnt help alot of times.
Anyway, Thanks yall for being here. I really do appreciate it.
Jennifer
I am on SS Disability for my Severe Lupus and Severe Fibromalgya, I could not do very much at all, so it is very dificult to do cakes, so I do it only for family in my house. regarding the comment below:
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I have been on SS disablility for 12 years now. They will not allow you to earn any income if you are collecting. If you can not work at a regular job then you can not earn income form cake decorating becuase that is a paid job.
Not compleatly right! There is such thing now, that is called ticket to work. You can still get your SS disabilty and work couple of hours as long as you have this ticket for work from the SS office.
PM me and I will give you more info.
My chiropractor told me that if i lift something the wrong way it could paralyze me. My Internist told me the same thing.
If it were me, I would do what your doctors tell you and then focus on getting your SS bene's. Then when that is settled, go from there.
You don't want to be second-guessing yourself and saying, "Did I do this to myself?" if you get worse.
Trust me on this one.
What you need to see is a rheumatologist. Traumas such as your fall can trigger fibromyalgia, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis. Personal experience is speaking here, because that is what triggered the RA I now deal with daily. Most of my pain is from my hips, down. I only have pain in my upper extremities when I have a flair-up or if I do too much in a day's time. I even get flair-ups in my jaw from time to time. Those feel like someone pulled a tooth without novocain.
The swelling in the joints caused by RA can cause migraines, if the neck or upper back are effected.
I am not saying that you have any of the above, but why not take the time, and a couple of tubes of blood for testing, to rule them out. A second opinion can't hurt, either. And since you are going to UAB hospital anyway, I would ask to see the heads of the departments, if possible.
In regard to cake decorating - I have no problem lifting anything up to a half-sheet cake, nor a half-full bowl of SMBC from my 20-quart Hobart, but baking and decorating the 7 cakes (on individual stands) for a friend's event in June damn near killed me. I was on my feet for way two days, as they were all in BC with lots of piping on them. I spent the next two days in bed, high on prescribed pain-killers.
Theresa 
I am sorry to hear about all of you that are in pain. I am not "disabled" but I do have a hard time doing what I have to. I have had back problems for a very long time, i had a breast reduction to help and it did until last December when I fell down a flight of stairs at work. I sprained everything from my lower back to the bottom of my head. Of course this was on work comp. so nothing was ever done about it. And now I will go for days at a time where I don't even want to get out of bed. I have 4 small children and I try to be very active with them, but it is hard. I have no energy and when I'm in pain (which is most of the time) I get angry really easy. I also have Tendonitis in my right wrist, so after I decorate not only can't I stand for very long, most of the time I cant use my hand.
I'm not saying I'm worse off tham anyone, I'm saying I understand. And I'm sorry anyone has to go through any sort of pain and anguish like this.
cCc
Jennifer,
I heart goes out to you!
Yes, there are others who are out there that have disabilities and still make cakes, we just need a hand with some things.
I fell as a kid and broke my back in 3 places which opened to door for arthritis. I have had 3 kinds of cancer 4 different times. 50 surgeries to remove cancer and body parts too (including my breasts and chest muscles. I then had muscle transplants from my back to my chest and had to learn how to retrain the muscles to work as chest muscles instead of back muscles! It was kind of funny at first when I would reach for something to lift up and my breast would jump too!).
All the chemo really zapped me and totally changed my body. I now have been diagnosed with Psoratic Arthritis, Lupus, and Fibromyalgia. They think that the PA was because of so many chemo drugs and will eventually go away. The Lupus and Fibromyalgia is here to stay.
Listen to your Doctor. I go to a Rheumatologist and he has helped immensely. He has me giving myself shots once a week of "Enbrel" and I can now move without pain and have tons of energy!
Your pain is debilitating I know. You might also want to see a massage therapist who specializes in accupressure. (Not accupuncture). It is the same principle without the needles. (I am a retired therapist) This will take the fluid off of the nerves and give you relief from the pain. (Have your Doctor refer you to one who is listed with your state as a licensed therapist, then your health insurance will pay for it too). Avoid the lifting as this will aggrevate it.
Keep making cakes and decorating! Get someone who can help you with that part of it.
I have learned that just because someones says that I am "disabled", it only applies to a certain extent. Maybe physically, yes, but not in my heart. Decorating wedding cakes is a joy to me and no one is going to stop me. I enlist my sons to lift the cakes out of the ovens and my husband helps me to stack them and deliver them. I have found that "where there is a will, there is a way", is very true.
Don't give up! Stay strong and know that you are in my prayers! You are more than welcme to PM or E-mail me anytime!
Big Hugs to You! 
Jennifer,
I heart goes out to you!
Yes, there are others who are out there that have disabilities and still make cakes, we just need a hand with some things.
I fell as a kid and broke my back in 3 places which opened to door for arthritis. I have had 3 kinds of cancer 4 different times. 50 surgeries to remove cancer and body parts too (including my breasts and chest muscles. I then had muscle transplants from my back to my chest and had to learn how to retrain the muscles to work as chest muscles instead of back muscles! It was kind of funny at first when I would reach for something to lift up and my breast would jump too!).
All the chemo really zapped me and totally changed my body. I now have been diagnosed with Psoratic Arthritis, Lupus, and Fibromyalgia. They think that the PA was because of so many chemo drugs and will eventually go away. The Lupus and Fibromyalgia is here to stay.
Listen to your Doctor. I go to a Rheumatologist and he has helped immensely. He has me giving myself shots once a week of "Enbrel" and I can now move without pain and have tons of energy!
Your pain is debilitating I know. You might also want to see a massage therapist who specializes in accupressure. (Not accupuncture). It is the same principle without the needles. (I am a retired therapist) This will take the fluid off of the nerves and give you relief from the pain. (Have your Doctor refer you to one who is listed with your state as a licensed therapist, then your health insurance will pay for it too). Avoid the lifting as this will aggrevate it.
Keep making cakes and decorating! Get someone who can help you with that part of it.
I have learned that just because someones says that I am "disabled", it only applies to a certain extent. Maybe physically, yes, but not in my heart. Decorating wedding cakes is a joy to me and no one is going to stop me. I enlist my sons to lift the cakes out of the ovens and my husband helps me to stack them and deliver them. I have found that "where there is a will, there is a way", is very true.
Don't give up! Stay strong and know that you are in my prayers! You are more than welcme to PM or E-mail me anytime!
Big Hugs to You!
Thanks for the inspiration debbie...im so sorry to hear all the stuff you have been through..the physical medicine dr i am seeing has stopped my physical therapy which i dont know what that means..i guess he dont wanna do any more damage than is already done..i had to stop my chiropractor back in june that i have seen for 14 years..husband gave me a gift certificate for a massage at a college and i havent been able to use it because like a couple weeks after christmas is when all of the pain really started...i will let you know what i find out when i go back to the neuro and the mri and the nerve conductivity study..thanks a bunch for all yalls help.
RE: Social Security Disability Benefits
What was posted on the SS website regarding earnings is a guideline. Is it in effect where the state recognizes the Federal Minimum Wage.
Here in PA, the state regulation for minimum wage is higher than the current federal guideline, therefore the maximum amount you can earn is higher than in other states.
I believe that the federal minimum wage increases again in the not-so-distant future, and will then match what PA directs at the present time.
Theresa
Hey Yall,
I had to go to the best hospital in the state today that is about 4 hours from me. I have had problems with headaches, neck, and back pain (especially since my fall in dec). I have seen 3 neurologist who kept telling me i was having migraines but i kept telling them it wasnt migranes because I wasnt sensitive to light nor noise and so on. Was on 30+ meds from Jan - May this year. I have been in physical therapy for about 2 months.
Well i went to UAB (the hospital) and seen the physical medicine dr today. I have to go back up there on the 20th to see a neurologist up there then go back on the 30th to see the dr i saw today. He is setting me up for an MRI on my lower back and also a nerve conductivity study on both of my legs. I have been having problems walking and standing and I sit for 8 hours a day at work in front of a computer typing in reports (data entry). Well he asked me if I had applied for SS/Disability and i told him no. He said that if i was going to to wait till after the MRI and the other tests he does comes back for the results. I looked at the diagnosis he gave me on my papers and it said siatica, cervical, lumbar.
My husband said that if i do get on disability that i wont be able to have my cake business like i am wanting because i wont be able to lift the cakes and all the other stuff i will need. I already have problems lifting stuff because i start hurting really bad.
Do any of yall have a disability to where you cannot do your cake stuff anymore? I am really really depressed about this now cause I dont know which way to go on this.
My chiropractor told me that if i lift something the wrong way it could paralyze me. My Internist told me the same thing.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Jennifer
When I read this post, I had to replie. My husband injured himself with a malfunctioning torque drill. He too had the same problems, so he went to the company doctor who only gave him a xray and later told him it was arthritis. Well things got worse and he finally found a doctor who had him get a MRI. Well the MRI revealed a herniated disc that was compressing the spine so bad that they told him if he did not get surgery , he would be paralyzed. Well he went to the best neurologist in town and got surgery and he is comming along fine. By the way, before the surgery
he had trouble standing and sitting.If he would kept going he would had been paralyzed.He was almost walking in a shuffle. You see the first doctor was the companies doctor. My husband had disectomy with fusion surgery. Yes, he was told to go to a physical theropist,but he didn"t and i am glad. It would have caused more damage. Sorry, i don't mean to hijack this post, but your symptoms were the same as my husband's.
Hey, Jackmo -
It's not my thread, but glad to have your input. Good to hear that your husband went for the second opinion, and that he is doing so much better since the surgery.
Theresa
I got injured at work 10 years ago and have had two neck surgeries so far. I am in constant pain but I will still make cakes when I can. I do suffer from it though. But I'm not willing to give it up.....yet.
I could never decorate cakes for a living though. I make one cake and I'm in super pain for days afterwards and even durning. My whole spine hurts, I get really bad headaches and I get shooting pain down my arms.
So why do I do this? Well I have given up a lot since I've been injured and I found cake decorating as being something I love to do. So for now I will keep doing it as long as I can. Then when it stops being worth the pain to decorate I will stop. For now, the enjoyment is worth it to me.
Most of the time.
Jackmo, that was only a couple of the problems going on...I would wake up during the night for no reason throwing up..then I would try to work and start throwing up...Got to where I couldnt work nor drive...I tried going to work one morning and almost hit a car head on cause of really bad headaches...i had to get a cadet to take me home one day from work and leave my car at work...i had to get my husband to come get me halfway between work and home because i could not finish driving home...it got really bad..i had pins and needle feeling in my feet..my right side went numb and i got to where i couldnt even write my name...took me about 5 minutes just to do that..my bloodpressure shot up when all of this started..never figured out why...Dr put me on BP meds and they werent even regulating it...the 2nd neuro is the one who took me off..the 1st neuro didnt care...
I constantly have pain in my back and hips and shooting pains down my right leg and sometimes my left hip...
Thats just some more of the problems that was going on...will let yall know what i find out as soon as i get the MRI and the NCS.
I wouldn't call it a disability but I have had surgery for carpal tunnel once already. It was the best thing I did because I have had relief from the pain but as I do more and more cakes I have more pain. I also am not ready to give up cakes I am just getting started.
It is amazing to read thru this thread and see how many people are affected by pain. I live with chronic pain every single day. I had to give up what I love to do, my First Love is what I call it...however, I still 'do' My First Love in my heart and in my head every day.
Decorating cakes is just a delicious & terribly fattening way of coming up with a new passion.
But I will never be able to give up My First Love!
Jackmo, that was only a couple of the problems going on...I would wake up during the night for no reason throwing up..then I would try to work and start throwing up...Got to where I couldnt work nor drive...I tried going to work one morning and almost hit a car head on cause of really bad headaches...i had to get a cadet to take me home one day from work and leave my car at work...i had to get my husband to come get me halfway between work and home because i could not finish driving home...it got really bad..i had pins and needle feeling in my feet..my right side went numb and i got to where i couldnt even write my name...took me about 5 minutes just to do that..my bloodpressure shot up when all of this started..never figured out why...Dr put me on BP meds and they werent even regulating it...the 2nd neuro is the one who took me off..the 1st neuro didnt care...
I constantly have pain in my back and hips and shooting pains down my right leg and sometimes my left hip...
Thats just some more of the problems that was going on...will let yall know what i find out as soon as i get the MRI and the NCS.
Hon. my husbands blood pressure was up,feet and one leg was numb,with pins and needles, one arm was numb with pins and needles and he coulldn't run. he would shuffle. please let me know how things turned out, i will be praying.
I used to be a type 1 jeuvenile diabetic I lost my kidneys, went on dialysis then had a hysterictomy and then a kidney transplant then lost my right leg below the knee all within 6 months that was 6 yrs ago 3 yrs ago I had a pancreas transplant and have been insulin free and healthy for the first time after 22 yrs of being insulin dependent. I now have an artificial leg and I have nerve damage in my left foot so only have about 25 pct feeling in that foot. I am on government diability here in Quebec and we are allowed to earn up to $200 a month but we have to declare it. I do cakes, cookies and candies for a hobby and It is hard for me to stand for that long. My apartment is disabled friendly where there is nothing under my range top or under my sink so my wheelchair can fit comfortable under it. I also went to the shop where I get my leg and they have all kinds of nifty things to help you live comfortable and one of them was a stool with wheels that you kind of sit/lean on and it is fantastic as it takes the weight off of your feet/legs. I also have a wall oven and the door opens sideways and there is a wooden pull out shelf below it so putting the cakes in and out are a breeze. It's a great set up and that is the key to organize yourself to suit you needs. I am not always in the wheelchair in fact hardly ever and in my mind I am NOT disabled lol. I DO follow everything the doctor tells me and my health always comes first. I just turned 50 and last monday my daughter surprised me with a hot air baloon flight which is something I have always wanted to do.(she was too afraid to go up with me lol ) and I promised myself after my transplants and getting off of dialysis that I will live for the moment as I never know when either transplant will reject. In October I will be going to Tampa for a month to visit my husband's family since I have never met them and we have been together for 3 yrs this has also been a dream of mine to see palm trees and real orange and lemon trees lol you have to be from a northern climate to understand the fascincation lol So remember follow your dreams but also follow your doctors instructions and good luck to you and my prayers are with you.
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