Every girl dreams of the day her prince charming asks her to be his forever. My engagement took me completely by surprise to say the least. I had thought that Niagara Falls would be the perfect spot to be engaged since we were planning to go back to where we had our first date, but I didn’t really think it would happen.

He planned everything right down to having a photographer there to take pictures of this life-changing event in our lives. My ring is perfect. He knows me so well, and knew I would absolutely love it, and I do.

Have been receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) since my dad retired,  I found out that after the wedding, my SSDI would be cut off once we are married. Along with my physical disability, I live with chronic pain, which makes it hard to hold down a full-time job. It also hinders any potential financial gain if I am working even part-time while on SSDI.

I called Social Security and asked about this, and they told me that if I had received SSDI because of my own work record, then I could keep it. However, since I don’t have a work record indicating that I should receive the benifits, they are taking them away.

I have been a freelance artist all my life, making sure I never made too much money, because I was so afraid of losing my SSDI. I am blessed that losing my benefits will not interfere with our wedding plans, but for a lot of people with disabilities (especially life-long ones), with no real work history, those individuals have to make a difficult choice. It’s hard enough dealing with a disability alone. To have found your true love and not be able to fulfill what most people take for granted, (getting married, having kids, and thereby living a fulfilling life) isn't fair. And these rights are denied to so many.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Should you be able to come into a marriage with what you already have, or is it okay for it to be taken away?

I personally consider myself infinitely lucky to have certain skills, and hope to find a full time writing gig and actually be paid what I’m worth, instead of always looking over my shoulder due to financial stress and strain.