'Elizabeth' has been waiting for some time now to get her SSI reinstated.  According to her, its been almost three years since she started the process of re-applying for SSI.  Her benefits were stopped in the first place, because she went to prison for a couple of years.  Upon her release she was able to receive General Assistance, but that was set up as a temporary fix, lasting six months, plus it was only $160 or so a month.  'Elizabeth' employed the services of a lawyer, sometime during this process, to help her in the effort to reinstate her SSI.  I don't have all the details to her story, but I do know that since she qualified for SSI before and still has the same disabilities that qualified her in the past, there is no reason why I see she should not receive SSI again.  The biggest hold up in the process has been the transfer of paperwork, documenting her severe mental illness, from the doctor to the lawyer.  This problem has existed at least since February, so this week she was scheduled to see another psychologist for a psychological evaluation.  While at the appointment, 'Elizabeth' notice a pond full of Koi fish.  'Elizabeth' loves animals and exclaimed upon seeing the pond "Now I know where to take the bus to look at fish!"
 Now you may wonder how the love of animals and the psych eval are connected.  That's easy to explain.  Currently, 'Elizabeth' doesn't have a pet, but she would love a dog or cat.  I believe having such a pet would be tremendously therapeutic for her.  The only thing holding her back is the pet deposit required by her landlord.  Currently, 'Elizabeth' does not have any money, but if she starts receiving SSI again she should have the money required to pay the deposit and feed a pet.  The key is for 'Elizabeth' to remain persistent and follow the requirements set forth to establish her SSI again.  If this happens, 'Elizabeth's' life should be exponentially easier.