Opinion ID: 218138
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Martise's Testimony

Text: During the administrative hearing, Martise testified that she was 43 years old and had graduated from high school while attending special education classes. According to Martise, she can only read at a second- or third-grade level. She previously worked as a mail clerk for eight to ten years. She testified that, as a mail clerk, she received the mail from the mailman and sorted and delivered mail to each recipient. She did not put postage on the mail or wait on people. Martise testified that she hurt her back by lifting heavy boxes while pregnant. According to Martise, when she informed her boss of her injury, he replied that if she could not do her job, then we'll have to fire you. Martise continued working. Subsequently, she was placed on bed rest until she had her baby. She then returned to work and developed problems with her right and left arms. [2] Martise testified that she had to carry heavy boxes for long distances and began experiencing burning and shooting pain in her right arm down into her hand. She sought treatment and was later told that she needed surgery. Martise stated that she could not afford the surgery because she did not receive any money from her divorce from her first husband. With regard to her left arm, Martise testified that, because she was told not to use her right arm, she overused her left arm. Martise also ended up getting hurt on [her] elbows while working as a mail clerk. She testified that she had surgery on her right elbow, but she could not recall the year or the name of the doctor who performed the surgery. According to Martise, she still has burning in her right elbow if she tries to lift her son and can only lift five pounds without symptoms. Martise stated that she experiences burning in her right elbow that lasts for a day or two and that she uses a brace on her right arm. Martise said that the burning sensation goes from her elbow to her ring and little fingers, but she denied numbness or tingling and having trouble holding on to objects. According to Martise, when she has problems with her elbow, she uses her brace once or twice a month, for a period of about a day or two. She also stated that she performs exercises. Martise maintained that her left upper extremity is worse than her right. She testified that while she was going to have surgery, it was not performed due to a paperwork error. She stated that she experiences constant burning pain, numbness, and tingling in her left arm that radiates into her ring and little finger, reducing her grip strength. Martise explained that she avoids picking up things with her left hand because it affects her elbow and shoulder. She asserted that she could not raise her left arm above shoulder level because of pain and a popping sensation. As to her back pain, Martise testified that if she turns the wrong way, she experiences a bad pain in [her] lower back. This pain then shoots down [her] right leg, resulting in bed rest for almost two weeks. Martise then has her niece help her go to the bathroom and shower. According to Martise, the pain sometimes gets so severe that one time I fell in the bathtub. Although she initially had trouble remembering how often she experiences that type of back pain, she ultimately concluded that it occurs once every two months. She stated that lying in bed and engaging in doctor-recommended exercises aids her condition. Martise testified that she does not take prescription pain medication for her back or for her arms; instead, she takes Advil. According to Martise, she did not work from 1988 to 1995 because she was having babies. Martise has five children, ranging in age from 25 to five years old. Her eldest child is mentally retarded, and three of her other children have disabilities. She lives with her husband, five children, and 19-year-old niece. Martise's niece helps her with the children. Martise explained that she saw Dr. David Berland for migraine headaches and mental issues because she was having problems dealing with her disabled children and the outside world. Martise could not recall how many times that she saw Dr. Berland or the dates of her treatment. She testified that Dr. Berland saw her and her children for group sessions. According to Martise, she suffers from migraine headaches every day, three to four times per day. She testified that she takes medication to both prevent and relieve migraines. She stated that although her medication relieves her symptoms for about two hours, she then get[s] hit with another bad one. In addition to taking medication, she attempts to relieve her migraines by confining herself to a dark room and applying ice to her neck and temples. Martise has trouble with asthma, and her breathing problems and coughing cracked her ribs. Martise testified that she now understands when to use her breathing inhaler thing to try to stop mybreaking my ribs. According to Martise, she needs breathing treatments once or twice a week. Martise also testified that she was recently diagnosed with diverticulitis, which causes her to experience pain and bleeding. When asked how she spends her day, Martise replied that, on that day, she had awoken early that morning but went back to sleep and then rose later to get her son up for school. Her niece then fed and dressed Martise's youngest child. She testified that she avoids driving. She denied cooking or cleaning, contending that she had not done household duties since she stopped working in early 2004. She stated that she did not get dressed every day. According to Martise, she has difficulty concentrating and cannot read. She also has trouble sleeping, explaining that she remains awake until two or three in the morning, just staring at the clock. She described her mental state as worse than a depression and testified that she often cries and feels lonely. She stated that she was tired of trying to be normal.