Johnny Rahm Suicide

[SmallTownJohn]

Hello,

 

Has this porn actor's suicide been covered in a link on this site?

 

I saw editorials in gay newspapers while traveling. He either committed suicide at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens or worked there.

 

Any info?

 

All My Best,

 

John

http://www.stj1.com

[Guest skrubber]

Haven't heard it. In fact I don't know who he is.

[+ Lucky]

http://www.queerday.com/images/jtrogers.jpg

[SmallTownJohn]

Calling deej

 

I refer this question to The Supreme Court of Porn...deej...for info and ruling.

 

John

http://www.stj1.com

[Guest ncm2169]

I read somewhere that he committed suicide there by hanging himself in some very grotesque manner. A pity. x(

[mattgunther]

Here's some info

Washington Blade

By DYANA BAGBY

Friday, November 26, 2004

 

ATLANTA — Barry “J.T.” Rogers, known as Johnny Rahm in scores of gay pornographic films, committed suicide in Atlanta on Nov. 7. He was 39.

 

Rogers hung himself with a wire on the fence line of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, according to the Atlanta Police Department.

 

A memorial service was held Sunday, Nov. 21, said Adam Kahn, Rogers’ friend and roommate.

 

Rogers was born June 11, 1965, in Milledgeville, Ga. He was buried there next to his grandmother on Nov. 10, said Jamey Rousey, Rogers’ cousin. Rousey said he was very close to his grandmother.

 

Rogers, who was HIV-positive, is survived by his parents, two sisters and a brother, according to Rousey.

 

Rousey said he and Rogers were raised fundamental Baptists and attended a Christian high school in Macon and also attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C.

 

“He was a kind and gentle soul and as tragic as his death was, I hope he’s found the peace he couldn’t find in life,” said Rousey, who works with the Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund.

 

Rogers moved to California in the late 1980s and worked for about a decade in the gay sex film industry, Rousey said. In recent years he worked in Atlanta with producer Dick Wadd, according to Kahn.

 

Rogers was the winner of the 1993 Gay Video Guide’s Best Supporting Actor Award for his role as a mafia don in “Body Search,” directed by gay porn favorite Chi Chi LaRue. He also won the 1995 Best Supporting Actor award for “All About Steve.”

 

“He was a sweet guy, a very loving, caring person — although he had his demons,” Kahn said. “Within five minutes of meeting him, people loved him. He was always the comedian and wanted to make people laugh and feel good about themselves.”

 

J.C. Adams, a columnist who writes about the gay sex industry in “Adams Report,” said that as Johnny Rahm, Rogers had a devoted fan base.

 

“What was a little unusual about him is that he was actually a very good actor,” Adams said. “He never became a superstar like Jeff Stryker, but he did several films that are still remembered.”

 

Some of Rogers’ better movies include “The Devil and Danny Walker,” “Straight to the Zone,” and “Badlands,” said Adams, who has also been editor of Inside Porn Magazine and Unzipped Monthly.

 

“He knew how to use his voice and body. As a sexual performer, Johnny told me he really enjoyed what he was doing. He was having fun and that came through onscreen,” Adams said. “That is one of the main reasons fans adored him and remembered him through the years; Johnny’s light and spirit was evident.”

 

Kahn said Rogers was never shy about what he did professionally and also tried his hand at stand-up comedy. But while he may have achieved some fame in the gay sex film industry, he struggled financially in his last months. Since about April, Rogers was trying to get financial assistance to find his own home, Kahn said.

 

“He was on the phone every day trying to get SSI and it seemed like he kept getting the runaround. His major frustration was not being settled,” Kahn said. “He never did anything bad except to himself.

 

“He wasn’t your run-of-the-mill porn actor. The biggest part of him was making sure everyone around him was happy. He will be greatly missed,” Kahn said.

Adams interviewed Rogers in 2001 and said Rogers was truly humbled when he read him some of his fan mail.

 

“It’s good to know that I made a difference to some gay guys out there,” Rogers told Adams, “even if it was inadvertent. I feel honored to have that kind of devotion.”

 

There was also this letter to the Washington Blade:

 

As the brother of the late Barry “Johnny Rahm” Rogers, I felt compelled to write you after reading the article about his suicide. (“Former gay porn star commits suicide,” news, Nov. 26).

 

To those who knew Barry (“J.T.”), he’s remembered as a fun person to be around. He could walk into a room filled with 1,000 people, and walk out with 999 friends. I remember him as the big brother who protected and comforted me during our childhood. I miss him terribly, and his passing has left an unfillable void in my heart.

 

Your article alluded to the speculation that his role as Johnny Rahm factored in his decision to end his life. After retrieving his personal belongings, and spending countless hours reading his personal journal, I can say that nothing in his writings offered the faintest hint that his on-camera role had anything to do with his suicide.

 

His journals, as well as his suicide note, offered overwhelming evidence that it was because he was turned down repeatedly by Social Security for disability benefits.

 

Barry suffered for years from severe depression. He had also been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. The Hep C treatments couldn’t begin until the depression was under control, and that never came about.

 

He was depressed about his inability to be self-sufficient. He was depressed due to his deteriorating health condition. He was depressed because he had nowhere to call “home.”

 

There are several government entities that I hold responsible for his depression, and subsequent death, but I do not think that his role as Johnny Rahm had anything whatsoever to do with it.

 

To those who had the honor of calling J.T. “friend,” his loss is felt tremendously, and I thank each of you for taking care of my brother during his final weeks and months.

 

For those of us who had the privilege of calling him son, brother or cousin, his loss is one that can never be replaced, and it will take a long time to get over it.

 

To those who simply knew him as “Johnny Rahm,” you didn’t know the true Barry/J.T., and the loss is yours.

SCOTTY ROGERS

Washburn, Tenn.

[+ Lucky]

RE: Dead Porn Stars

 

If you would also like to use the name of a dead porn star as your screenname, there is a list provided by charonsferry.com:

 

MORGAN (YMAC/Higgins - murdered-thrown off cliff early 80s) MICHAEL & PHILLIP (Falcon - lovers - A.I.D.S.) John M. "JAKE CORBIN" Aveno (1963-1992 A.I.D.S.) Frederick Martin "MARC RADCLIFFE" Shasteen, Jr. (1966-1995 drowned at home in tub) Dom Stephen "ETIENNE" / "STEPHEN" Orejudos (09-24-1991 A.I.D.S. co-founder of Kris studios & legendary artist) WAYNE ARLEN/JOHN DAVIDSON (AMG/Champion - Vietnam) NORD STOD (Champion - suicide) TOMMY JAMISON (Mel Roberts - Vietnam) BURT EDWARDS (Jaguar/Falcon - A.I.D.S. suicide) MARC "10 1/2" STEVENS (suicide by gun A.I.D.S.) Kelly Doyle "DICK MASTERS" Trammel (1964-1990 Falcon - Spinal cancer) Rolando Angelo "ANGELO / STEVEN MOORE / JACK PALMS / CHUCK PALMS" /Raquel Tori " STASHA" Aleman (1969-1993 Gay porn star who later had a sex change - leukemia) James Allen "KURT MARSHALL" Rideout, Jr. (1965-1988 Falcon - kidney disease) JOEL CURRY (suicide) Daniel Vladimir "DANIEL HOLT" Niedorf (1958-1993 heart attack in tub after a week of crystal meth & no sleep had A.I.D.S.) JOHN CURTIS HOLMES (1944-1988 asst. things including A.I.D.S.) MIKE DAVIS (Colt - A.I.D.S.) Jim "J. W. KING" Waldrop (07-21-19550 - 12-05-1986 A.I.D.S.) John Nelson "JON KING" Gaines (1963-1995 A.I.D.S.) Thomas "JOE SIMMONS" Williams (1959-1995 A.I.D.S.) Michael "TONY BRAVO" Pietri (1958-1990 Falcon A.I.D.S. Falcon star) John R." SCOTT O'HARA" Scott ( 10/16/61 - 2/18/98 A.I.D.S.) Roger "FRANK VICKERS" Koch (1948-1991A.I.D.S.) Richard Holt "RICHARD LOCKE" Locke (1941-1996 A.I.D.S.) Rick Steven 'BEN BARKER" Sanford (Catalina Star, Writer & "Sweeney Todd..." freak 1951-1995 A.I.D.S.) Coleman Charles "KEITH ARDENT" Jones, Jr. (1954-1992 A.I.D.S.) ARTHUR BRESSAN, Jr. (director - A.I.D.S.) Jeffrey Wayne "BUSTER" Cole (1956 - 05-10-1991 congestive heart failure on top of kidney, liver & other heart problems.) JIM ED THOMPSON (1946-1988 S&M star lover of Chris Burns A.I.D.S.) Danny Joe "CHRIS BURNS" Burns (1958-1995 A.I.D.S.) Dominique Georges " LUCKY LUC" Drevet-Mathieu (actor/director A.I.D.S. 40, 3-2-1992) JOHNNY DAWES (1955-1989 "Bad Bad Boys" A.I.D.S.) Russell "Rusty" "PIERCE DANIELS" Wallace (1958-1995 A.I.D.S.) Cal "CASEY DONOVAN" CULVER (A.I.D.S. 1943-1987 ) David Lee "LON FLEXX" Anderson (1965-1995 A.I.D.S.) Robert "BOB SHANE" Schmidlin ( actor Roy Garrett's lover A.I.D.S. 1961-1987) Roy Garrett " ROY GARRETT" Samber (A.I.D.S., 37, 4-3-1992, porn star/model/poet, Man-Age discovery) Donald E. "THOM KATT" Ishmael (the Original with the claw scar tattoo & pierced dick A.I.D.S.) Wolfgang "RYDER HANSON" Praegert (1957-1989 A.I.D.S.) William Kenneth "BILL HARRISON" Harrison ("Bijou" A.I.D.S. 1947 - 10-18-1991) Richard "JESSE KOHLER" Kunze (1957-1989 A.I.D.S. porn actor) Douglas Murrell "TIM KRAMER" Cooper (1958-1992 A.I.D.S.) Darwin Lee "CHRIS LADD" Moehle (1960-1990 A.I.D.S.) Andrew "Drew" Robert "AL PARKER" Okun (1952-1992 Surge A.I.D.S.) Darras Robert "LEE RYDER" Pyron (1959-1991 A.I.D.S.) Leo "LEO FORD" Hilgeford (1957-1991 died a few days after being hit by a car while on motorcycle with his lover, Craig Markle) Ricky "DICK FISK" Fitts ( 10-31-83 Falcon - car accident he was 28) William "BIG" BILLY ELD/YOUNG" Eld (Cocaine addiction slowly drained his life) Robert Lance "CHRISTOPHER LANCE" Slacke (1966-1994 Matt Sterling/Falcon/Higgins stabbed to death by roommate died at Parkland Memorial where JFK was pronounced dead) Christopher John "CHRISTIAN FOX " McLaughlin(1974-1996 massive drug overdose) Steven Matthew "MATT GUNTHER" Laing (1963-1997 A.I.D.S.) Nicholas "Nick" Anthony "JOEY STEFANO" Iacona (1968-1994 drug overdose, model/porn star/legend) Scott Taylor "SCOTT TAYLOR" Hampton (1954-1994 master solo erotic artist with large subincision A.I.D.S. wanted his body to go to college to be sliced up-an artist to the end) Charles "Chuck" Stephen "CLINT LOCKNER" Romanski 1943-1993 Colt A.I.D.S.) Jeffrey Garrison "BRAD PETERS" Woodward (1958-1994 Catalina A.I.D.S.) Rick "GLENN STEERS" Sommers (1958-1994 Colt A.I.D.S.) Jay B. "JEFF LAWRENCE" Morris (1950-1994 director A.I.D.S.) Roger John "ERIC STONE" Zellner (1959-1996 Falcon A.I.D.S.) Dennis "DEREK POWERS" Phung (1946-1996 director/photographer murdered: two of his models tied him to a chair & used the claw end of a hammer on his head then put a Halloween mask on him) Stephen Arnold "JASON STEELE" Ehpgrave Kuttner (1950-1995 fab nipples A.I.D.S.) Kenneth J. "JIM MOORE /CODY RICHARDS " Savoie (1961-1988 A.I.D.S.) TOM FARRELL (1971-1993 hit and run victim) Alain "LUC COLTON / MATT CLARKE" Ruest (1959-1993 Falcon A.I.D.S.) Darren Eugene "DARRYL WELD / ANSEL RAINIER" Harris (1965 - 07-24-1991 actor-director A.I.D.S..) Todd Dunning "CHRIS WILLIAMS" Bart (1967- 09-11-1991 Falcon A.I.D.S.) T. R. WITOMSKI ( 1992 A.I.D.S. director Katsam Productions) Frederick Crane "TRAY CHRISTOPHER" / "CHRISTOPHER RAGE" / "MARY JIM STUNNING" Mongue III ( 1948 - 04-24-1991 Hand-in-Hand, wannabe singer, "Live Video" directed and "acted" in sleazy videos he made A.I.D.S.) William Arnold "BILLY LONDON" Newton (1965-1990 kidnapped and murdered only his head and feet found in dumpster) George Joseph "STEVEN CRAIG/KREIG" Dufour (1958-1990 star of the safesex video "Life Guard" A.I.D.S.) Luke "STEVE KENNEDY" Bender (1995 A.I.D.S.) Nikolai Elliott Nikolai Elliott "NICK ELLIOT" Ursin (1942-1990 director of many classic films including "Duffy's Tavern" A.I.D.S.) LOU THOMAS (1933-1990 co-founder of Lugar, Colt and Target A.I.D.S.) JOEY YALE ( 4-18-86 lover of Fred Halsted actor director A.I.D.S.) FRED HALSTED (1941-1989 director suicide-couldn't go on living without his beloved Joey) Phillip "LUKE" Wagner (1959-1989 Falcon/Hand-in-Hand A.I.D.S.) Larry "MARK REYNOLDS / WARREN STEVENS / KEITH WEBSTER / BILL HILL" Ginsburg (1942-1989 the legendary Larry Ginsburg who founded Trademark & TCS gave us Kip Knoll & Buster among others massive heart attack) Michael John " ERIC STRYKER / NOEL KEMP / MIKE KELLY" Saunders (1954-1988 "Student Bodies" AIDS Activist A.I.D.S.) DANIE CONNORS (P.M. Productions suicide) Leon "LEE RICHARDS" Mouton (P.M. Productions A.I.D.S.) BOB BLOUNT ( 9-6-79 Colt on motorcycle slammed into tree) William Anthony "BRANDON WILDE" Filoromo (1957-1996 murdered) 1957-1996 murdered) NICK RODGERS ("Grease Monkeys" "The Idol" A.I.D.S.) TEX ANTHONY TEX ANTHONY ( A.I.D.S) DAVE CONNORS (A.I.D.S.) ROGER (Blueboy discovery & Hand-in-Hand model car accident) "MELCHOR" Diaz (A.I.D.S.) ROBERT LaTOURNEAUX (the actor who played the present-"Cowboy" on stage & in the film "The Boys in The Band" and later became a nude model/porn actor/actual hustler (life imitating art) 6-3-86 A.I.D.S.) Dennis "WADE NICHOLS" Parker (discovered by Champion he did work for "Hand-in-Hand, nude modeling then soap operas on TV & had a disco recording career under his real name Dennis Parker 1-28-85 A.I.D.S.) NEAL "BLADE" BATES (the immortal artist 11-29-16 to 6-27-89) J. BRIAN (one of the legends in photography & Gay films 1-28-85 Heart Attack brought on by drinking) John "LEE BALDWIN" Mallette (5-18-62 Buffalo, NY - 11-30-98 massive heart attack Baltimore, MD, the prince of kink porn) JOE TIFFENBACH / LOU ALTON (heart attack, 67, 1-27-92 director/photographer) James "JIMMY CRICKET" Mello (A.I.D.S. 1954 - 09-17-1992 director/performer managed & produced shows on a professional level at NYC's seedy Gaiety Theatre & gave it a Golden age Directed "Gay Morning America") Matthew "BEAU MATTHEWS' Polchert / Congelosi (A.I.D.S. , 29, 7-20-1986 porn actor) Chuck "DAMIEN CHARLES" Herschberg (brain tumor, writer/ Man-Age discovered model) HAROLD HARRIS GATES, Jr. (A.I.D.S., 33, 10-26-1991 Colt model) Edward "KYLE HAZZARD" Izzo (A.I.D.S. 1-16-88 porn actor) Gregory Leslie "ROD PHILLIPS" Patton ( A.I.D.S., 1960-1993) ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE (A.I.D.S.,42, 3-9-89 shit eating hustler/con artist/phony) REUBEN STURMAN (1924-1997 heart & kidney failure "The Father of the Adult Industry" Sovereign & MagCorp - magazine publisher & the money behind Glenn M. Turner's STARS magazine) Wilbur James "SCORPIO" Weiss, Jr. (grade b- porn star & trouble maker 1952 - 1998 A.I.D.S)grade b- porn star & trouble maker 1952 - 1998 A.I.D.S, Man-Age discovery) Rommel Eugene "STEVE FOX" Hunt ("Foul Play" "Fox's Lair" 10-23-1997 suicide ending 2 years of mental illness) ROBERT OPEL ("FeyWays Prod. & the official streaker of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences cold bloodedly murdered 7-8-79) Troy Andrew"JEREMY SCOTT" Myers (1961 - 1994 Nova/Higgins) Paul Francis "PAUL DIROSA / SERGIO CANALI" Sypek (1963 - 1994 Man-Age Studios discovery did work for Higgins) Timothy "MIKE DEAN" King Timothy "MIKE DEAN" King (1961-1990 Higgins) David Alan "LANCE" Reis (1962-1991 A.I.D.S. YMAC/Higgins/Falcon) BOSCH WAGNER (A.I.D.S.) Donald Keith "SPARKY O'TOOLE" Paton (A.I.D.S. 1967-1999) Steve Reeves - Hercules (01/21/1926 - 05/01/2000 cancer) JON VINCENT (5/4/2000 heroin overdose) Thomas Robert "CHET THOMAS" Edwards (Catalina 1959-1997 A.I.D.S.) David Alan "DAVE CHANDLER" Kemple (1969-1999 Studio 2000 accidental death via head injury) Thom A. "KEITH ANTHONI" Plaski / Amorelli ( 02-09-1952 - 07-22-1991 A.I.D.S. actor/singer "Catching Up" Man-Age exclusive model) Joel Charles "JOEL CHRISTOPHER" Suraci (12-19-1991 A.I.D.S. nude model/stripper) Ken "KEN REMSON " Ramsaur (Man-Age model, first "famous" death introduced to the nation by Geraldo Rivera on 20/20 on 2 consecutive shows. Ken died between broadcasts) Jeffrey James "JON VINCENT" Vickers (1962-2000 accidental heroin overdose a few months after moving to NYC from Los Angeles) Gary Robert "JAMOO" Whitaker (1971-2000 accidental drug overdose adult video star - hustler - writer) Dick Fontaine (2000 - legendary Physique photographer) Thomas R. "PETER WAVES" Williams ( A.I.D.S., 1960-1993) David " MASON FLYNT" Glickman (January 4, 2002 41 A.I.D.S. porn actor) Kenneth " MIKE HENSON" Seymour (September 20, 2002 heroin overdose Gay film actor) RON PEARSON ( On of the Stars of Falcon's classic "Style" A.I.D.S., 1959-2001) Jon Steven " SONNY ADAMS" Spivey ( 04/131948-08/01/2001 nterstitial pulmonary disease, beloved friend & model of Mel Roberts) Geoffrey "GEOFFREY KAREN DIOR " Gann (02/14/1967-08/25/2004 Television & adult film actor, director, model, author, giant of adult film industry who proved if you have talent you can do it all of HIV Hepatitis combo ) Barry J. T. "JOHNNY RAHM" Rogers (06/11/1965-11/07/2004 Beloved, highly talented Gay actor of many adult films. HIV pos- suicide caused by despair)

 

BELOVED & GREATLY MISSED

NAMES UNKNOWN - MORE & Company models (tortured & murdered by Dean Corll in Houston mass murder early 70s)

[+ deej]

You rang?

 

The Washington Blade article posted below is one of the better ones I've seen.

[CT Dick]

Thanks, Matt. That was a beautiful read.

 

One part that bothered me is the way our government treated JT. We are supposed to be such a Christian country but our government so often doesn't act in a "Christian" way. If they had we might still have had this gentle man with us.

 

So sad.

 

Dick

[Chuck50]

RE: Dead Porn Stars

 

Thanks I also had many memories as I am sure so many did. HUGS Guys we love you when some didnt/ HUGS CHuck

[noviceny]

RE: Dead Porn Stars

 

Wow...that is probably one of the most tragic stories Ive heard...RIP

[OneFinger]

>One part that bothered me is the way our government treated JT. We are supposed to be such a Christian country but our government so often doesn't act in a "Christian" way. If they had we might still have had this gentle man with us.

 

An AIDS organization where I do volunteer work has a whole set of people that assist clients through the SSI process. Probably one of the biggest sources of stress with HIV+ people is getting the benefits they have EARNED and deserve.

 

One friend who had full-blown AIDS fought with SSI for over 2 years to get benefits. The approval letter arrived on the day of his funeral. x(

[Flower]

>>One part that bothered me is the way our government

>treated JT. We are supposed to be such a Christian country

>but our government so often doesn't act in a "Christian" way.

>If they had we might still have had this gentle man with

>us.

>

>An AIDS organization where I do volunteer work has a whole set

>of people that assist clients through the SSI process.

>Probably one of the biggest sources of stress with HIV+ people

>is getting the benefits they have EARNED and deserve.

>

>One friend who had full-blown AIDS fought with SSI for over 2

>years to get benefits. The approval letter arrived on the day

>of his funeral. x(

 

Your post bears repeating so I'm repeating it here.

 

Our SS and SSI system uses similar tactics as "for profit" insurance companies I fight with all the time--they have the philosophy that if they stamp "CLAIM DENIED" on your initial application regardless of merit, the majority of cliams go away. While it is a dispicable business practice for the "for profits" it is even more so for our government which is supposed to be providing the safety net for the down and out.

"His journals, as well as his suicide note, offered overwhelming evidence that it was because he was turned down repeatedly by Social Security for disability benefits. "

I can only urge anyone in this situation to seek out an advocacy group in your area to deal with the red tape and bullshit they throw at you--these folks know what they are doing and get a MUCH high percentage of SSI applications through than individuals or even individuals with attorneys.

 

Many HIV + or AIDS infected individuals at the very least are suffering from Post traumatic stress disorder and severe depression making it very hard for some to function in the job market. This particularly true of those who were diagnosed when it was virtually a death sentence.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Incredibly sad.

 

I had a blurb about Rahm's death in '15 Minutes' about a month ago when i heard it from a friend in the porn industry. The circumstances surrounding his death were a little sketchy at first, but now it's pretty clear what happened and why.

 

Again, suicide and at such a young age. It's amazing to me that his friends, family or roomates didn't see a marked change in his behavior or notice something was wrong with him. Things like this can sometimes be prevented. Obviously, this wasn't just a 'cry for help,' as most suicide attempts are. He meant business.

 

Only 39 years old? WAY too young to go.

 

 

 

Warmest Always,

 

 

 

Benjamin Nicholas

[noviceny]

I totally agree with you Benjamin. What struck me even more was the public place that he chose and the violent way he commited the act.

It is rare that suicides play out like this...with so much brutality and with such rage...however you can see why he would have chosen to make this statement (consciously or unconsciously).

 

As was written before, hope he is at peace and just hanging ou, having a good time in heaven RIP

[Guest]

Well, I'm going to present the other side of the story. I'm a doctor for the poor, and I can tell you for a fact that most of the people who get granted SSI are perfectly capable (if unwilling) to hold legal jobs. In fact, most probably do work (although not legally). I don't have the actual statistics in front of me, but I read in the paper once the percentage of working-age adults who receive disability benefits, and the numbers were staggering (it was about 30% as I recall). The system is going down the tubes.

I don't know about the late Barry Rogers' case, but nowhere in the story did it mention why he might be "disabled." I can't believe that any contributor to this message center believes for a second that having AIDS alone makes one unable to do any job available in the workplace (which, supposedly, is the standard for receiving SSI). Of all my friends with AIDS, all are working (albeit one under the table). One of my friends has had AIDS for 20 years, and earned two degrees (including an MBA) and works 50 hours a week with that diagnosis. Even more ludicrous is the insinuation that merely being HIV positive without even having AIDS might be a disabling condition. This is not to say, of course, that someone with AIDS can't become disabled. It's certainly possible to get CMV retinitis and go blind, for example (although even blind people can find work if they really want to--not that I would deny them disability benefits).

The Hepatitis C suggestion is even more ridiculous (although it does suggest a drug use history for Mr. Rogers--although it's possible he got it from a transfusion before 1990 or a dirty tattoo needle, I suppose). The vast majority of people with Hepatits C don't even know they have it. I diagnose tons of hepatitis C. Most commonly I check it because a blood test is off a bit, or because there's a distant (or current) substance abuse history. Patients are usually shocked to hear it "I haven't been sick!" Quite often, it's clear from the history that they've had it for 30 years, and it hasn't affected them one iota (i.e. they had a blood transfusion or quit doing drugs in the 70s).

I get letters all of the time from lawyers for patients who are trying to get SSI (to be quite honest, I don't know where the money comes from to pay these lawyers, but I don't think the SSI applicants pay them a penny). Occasionally, there are deserving cases for which I sent supporting documents. More often than not, I politely send a letter back stating that I will need to send them for a formal assessment in order to provide the information they request. The patients rarely show up for these assessments, but somehow end up getting SSI anyways. One of such patient of mine regularly does heavy yardwork at my place, including pruning trees. I have a 52 year-old patient who's applying for SSI right now. She's never worked a day in her life!!

Obviously, I'm not commenting in particular about Barry "Johnny Rahm" Rogers' situation. Certainly, my experience leads me to suspect that his situation had a lot to do with substance abuse (possibly superimposed on mental health problems), as opposed to being physically unable to work. I'm writing this response to let people reading this thread know that the government is not, in fact, stingy in the granting of SSI. I would, in fact, be curious to know the true facts in Mr. Rogers' situation.

[VaHawk]

"Many HIV + or AIDS infected individuals at the very least are suffering from Post traumatic stress disorder and severe depression making it very hard for some to function in the job market. This particularly true of those who were diagnosed when it was virtually a death sentence."

 

LMFAO! Spoken like a true lawyer!

[Flower]

I can tell you for a fact that most

of the people who get granted SSI are perfectly capable (if

>unwilling) to hold legal jobs.

 

While I'd be the first to agree there is abuse in any program like this, you paint a very broad brush when you say "most

of the people who get granted SSI are perfectly capable" especially based on your very limited experience compared to the nation as a whole--unless you have some statistics you'd care to share??

 

In fact, most probably do work

(although not legally).

 

Hmmm--again, pretty broad brush--obvioulsy a little personal bias has entered the picture for you to justify making that statement--I mean you haven't even bothered to hide your bias by at least saying "most of those 'you' have encountered!

I don't have the actual statistics in

front of me,

 

No doubt!

 

but I read in the paper once ****

 

Great cite doc. }(

My mom, god bless her, would always say "I remember reading something in TIME magazine about that" (of course proving her right lol) -- TIME was her ultimate authority and who would cast doubt on mom's credibility, so we'd "lump it." Anyway, that's what your statement reminds me of, although you're much more educated than my mother but not nearly as compassionate.

 

>I don't know about the late Barry Rogers' case, but nowhere in

>the story did it mention why he might be "disabled." I can't

>believe that any contributor to this message center believes

>for a second that having AIDS alone makes one unable to do any

>job available in the workplace (which, supposedly, is the

>standard for receiving SSI).

******

Certainly, my experience

>leads me to suspect that his situation had a lot to do with

>substance abuse (possibly superimposed on mental health

>problems), as opposed to being physically unable to work.

 

No one has said anything about PHYSICAL CONDITION-if that were the only consideration, I'd have to probably agree with you, but it's not.

 

Mental conditions qualify and certainly most that get SSI for being HIV+ or having full blown aids qualify under that category. (Time magazine ) Chronic depression is a well recognized and truely debilitating condition that qualifies for SSI although not often treated in the clinic or ER, as is PTSS or PTSD.

 

 

I'm writing this response to let people reading this thread know

>that the government is not, in fact, stingy in the granting of

>SSI.

 

Well we can agree to disagree. I usually like your posts although obviously written like one who was raised in a RED state But whether stingy is the right word or not, the Government sets up road blocks that totally frustrate many from getting the benifits they are entitled to. As a person that pays a lot of taxes, I can understand why that doesn't bother you, but once the Government establishes a legal right, they should then see that it is carried out and not frustrated.

[noviceny]

Wanted to keep my first line to say again this is a tragedy...whatever the cause

 

I am a social worker in NY and understand what the doc is saying and also what the rest of you are saying. My experience having done social work in three states is this : I just dont fucken know...I have seen people who need help unable to get it and I have seen people milk the system and live a lifestyle that the average person couldnt never attain

Some social workers are lunatics and push through claims etc. for clients who really are not eligible, but the SW feels bad cause they are sick. Then the client uses the money for SOMETHING other than what they need to be buying. Some social workers are even handed with just the right amount of compassion. Same goes for doctors, lawyers etc.

 

If you read any of my posts, you probably will see that I try not to speak in absolutes. I have seen things that many of you have also seen, and my response is that this world and SSI and the system and people are all too complicated for me to hand down a verdict. I try to take one step/case at a time and I have to force my heart not to be jaded...its a

funny way to put it but I gotta fight to keep my heart caring.

 

Johnny Rahm's death, like so many others, is a horrible tragedy...this I know to be true...this I consider an absolute

[woodlawn]

>While I'd be the first to agree there is

>abuse in any program like this, you paint a very broad brush

>when you say "most of the people who get granted SSI are perfectly capable"

>especially based on your very limited experience compared to

>the nation as a whole--unless you have some statistics you'd

>care to share??

 

>In fact, most probably do work

>(although not legally).

 

>Hmmm--again, pretty broad brush--obvioulsy

 

 

>My mom, god bless her, would always say "I remember reading

>something in TIME magazine about that" (of course proving her

>right lol)

 

The New York Times published an article earlier this year citing a number of experts on labor statistics who claim that one reason the official unemployment rate has remained relatively low during a period when job creation has been weak is that many unemployed workers who would otherwise be looking for jobs (and thus count as unemployed) have gone on disability instead. If you'd care to do a search of The Times archives you can probably find the article with no great difficulty.

 

> Chronic depression is a well

>recognized and truely debilitating condition that qualifies

>for SSI although not often treated in the clinic or ER, as is

>PTSS or PTSD.

 

Excuse me, but isn't it the case that one cannot get SSI for a psychiatric condition unless one is actually being treated for that condition by a physician? Was that the case with Rahm?

 

 

> the Government sets up road blocks that totally

>frustrate many from getting the benifits they are entitled to.

 

"Many"? Aren't you using a "broad brush" here? Can you quote any statistics to back up that statement? You're not simply basing it on anecdotal evidence, the type of evidence you just criticized, are you?

[Guest]

> I can tell you for a fact that most

>of the people who get granted SSI are perfectly capable (if

>>unwilling) to hold legal jobs.

>

> While I'd be the first to agree there is

>abuse in any program like this, you paint a very broad brush

>when you say "most

>of the people who get granted SSI are perfectly capable"

>especially based on your very limited experience compared to

>the nation as a whole--unless you have some statistics you'd

>care to share??

 

Obviously, it would be nearly impossible to do a study to prove that most people who get SSI are capable of working, since those getting SSI are defined as incapable and work only under the table if at all. I can assure you that my experience with those receiving SSI is not extremely limited. It's also extremely unlikely that my experience is diametrically opposed to that of the rest of the nation.

 

 

> In fact, most probably do work

>(although not legally).

>

>Hmmm--again, pretty broad brush--obvioulsy

>a little personal bias has entered the picture for you to

>justify making that statement--I mean you haven't even

>bothered to hide your bias by at least saying "most of those

>'you' have encountered!

I said "probably." Since most of those I encounter do work (one of them actually practices law!!), it is logical for me to surmise that most probably do work, since there is no reason to believe that my patients are way different from other SSI patients.

 

>I don't have the actual statistics in

>front of me,

>

> No doubt!

>

>but I read in the paper once ****

>

> Great cite doc. }(

>My mom, god bless her, would always say "I remember reading

>

I'm sorry but I read the article a couple of months ago, and I do not have it now. If you have statistics to refute it, why don't you bring them up?

 

 

> No one has said anything about PHYSICAL

>CONDITION-if that were the only consideration, I'd have to

>probably agree with you, but it's not.

>

>Mental conditions qualify and certainly most that get SSI for

>being HIV+ or having full blown aids qualify under that

>category. (Time magazine ) Chronic depression is a well

>recognized and truely debilitating condition that qualifies

>for SSI although not often treated in the clinic or ER, as is

>PTSS or PTSD.

>

First of all, chronic depression responds very well to treatment. Fewer than one in ten will not have a good response to treatment (eventually--but we must recall that SSI is designed for long-term, not short-term disability). Secondly, one of the most important elements in treating someone who's depressed is to get him moving and involved with life and society. To label someone as disabled and incapable of holding a job only reinforces the depressed person's feelings of worthlessness. It's difficult to try to encourage self-esteem in a person the government has branded "useless to society."

>

> I'm writing this response to let people

>reading this thread know

>>that the government is not, in fact, stingy in the granting

>of

>>SSI.

>

> Well we can agree to disagree. I usually

>like your posts although obviously written like one who was

>raised in a RED state But whether stingy is the right word

>or not, the Government sets up road blocks that totally

>frustrate many from getting the benifits they are entitled to.

 

In my twelve years of working with poor and very ill patients, I have never once seen someone denied SSI who deserved it, and I have seen many, many people who were granted it, and who use the checks to supplement their income. How many people do you honestly know who exhausted their appeals for SSI, and who truly could not perform any job available (permanently, no less)? When someone has an obvious deformity like Christopher Reeve did, the process clearly is going to be quicker than for people with vague problems like back pain or depression (I even saw someone get SSI because of her nasty personality!). A lot of people would like to get SSI checks while they earn money from prostitution, drug dealing, and so forth. Don't you think a responsible government has to evaluate certain claims carefully? (As an aside, I feel that the lack of government oversight on temporary disability claims and on matters such as getting handicapped placards is appalling (sorry, I can't spell that word), but that's a whole other story--but illustrative of what happens when there's no government oversight).

[+ Lucky]

RE: Doctor Love

 

Do I detect some resentment toward any of your patients here?. To say that you have never known anyone who deserves SSI to be denied is to acknowledge how little you actually do know about the process. The fact is that Social Security makes people go through hoops and denies many until they are forced to appeal just to get what they should have received in the first place.

 

Your statement on depression intrigues me. Most doctors write a prescription and make no attempt to get their patient active in life or follow up in any way. Since you deal with the poor I doubt that you get paid to do this either.

 

As far as that lawyer you know who works while he collects SSI, I hope you are not his doctor.

[guyinsf]

I'm assuming that you are a general practitioner and not a psychiatrist when you dismiss someone as merely having a "nasty personality." These Axis II disorders are, in fact, diagnosed by mental health professionals and are very difficult to treat. There is no magic pill to make a borderline patient less borderline. And you cannot just "reality check" someone (a la "snap out of it") who has a pervasive personality disorder. Considering the foregoing, do you honestly believe someone is employable if he/she has such a "nasty" personality that you notice it even during your presumably limited contact with that person? Who is going to hire (and keep employed) someone whose personality is so far out of the norm that her "nastiness" cannot be contained for even short doctor visits and who, presumably, doesn't even have legitimate reasons in the here-and-now for being so "nasty." I assume that this patient's meanness to you and others in her current daily life has little to do with you and them -- in other words, you don't "deserve it."

 

Or are you implying you believe that she can control her "nastiness" and merely puts on a show so she can "milk" the system?

 

> (I even saw someone get SSI because of her nasty personality!).

[buckguy]

Your post and the follow-up really strain credibility. I have known scores of HIV+s, I used to work in the mental health system where I did consultations for various state agencies, and I am currently trying to get disability benefits for a relative in another state. I also happen to live in Atlanta and know people who provide advocacy for SSI for people with AIDS.

 

A few issues....disability is difficult to define and the criteria are as much legal as medical and rely on the guesswork of people who make determinations based on whatever clinical records a client can scrape together and whatever is written on the application forms. It's very common for people with bonafide, well documented claims to require 2-3 tries before they are granted SSI, and for some to never be granted SSI. This is not an urban myth. There is variation by state. Ohio, for example, is one of the strictest states in terms of deciding who is disabled. States make the determination even though this is a federal program. Having adequate legal representation makes a world of difference.

 

People can be living with HIV and still have very poor or inconsistent functional status. I know a couple who have both been HIV+ for about 20 years. One partner is healthy as an ox, works a very responsbible job, etc. His partner is disabled and although he looks good, his ability to do things varies day to day. The healthy partner limited his work travel for a long time because of concern for his disabled partner. For a doc, you seem pretty out of touch with these kind of subtleties, which are pretty obvious to gay men of a certain age. I know disbaled HIV+ who've been able to go back to work, but have chosen not to take on the kind of demanding jobs they've had in the past because of the fragility and unpredictablity of their health---it's difficult know how you'd "label" someone like that unless you know they wouldn't wind up near death again. I'm sure there are people who have had their records buffed, have lucked out on the review of their records or quietly recovered functioning and never bothered to seek work. As long as the system erects barriers based on inconsistent, poorly defined criteria that make it difficult for persons to establish bonafide claims, I think we have to look mostly at the front end of the system before trying to figure out what to do with the back.

 

Psychiatric cases also pose tremendous heterogeneity. The rule of thumb (no really good epi data on this) is that about one-fifth of the people who carry a diagnosis of schizophrenia are largely undetectable in the general population--a little eccentric perhaps or few side effects from the meds, but mostly in the normal range. Another fifth are too incpacaitated to do anything outside of a protected environment. And the remainder who fall in between are a real mixed bag. Borderlines are difficult to diagnose reliably and are probably the one "personality disorder" diagnosis where the functioning could qualiify for disability. If you've ever had to deal with the frequent suicide attempts, the inability to maintain interpersonal relationships, the mood swings, etc. of a borderline, you know what I'm talking about. There aren't many jobs where someone like that could stay gainfully employed. And in a clinical record, the person who's even a shaky candidate for a borderline diagnosis will stand out from someone who's just angry.

 

Georgia, particularly under the current administration, is a lousy state for social services---the quality of services and the generousity with which they are given leave a lot to be desired. The AIDS agencies in Atlanta are generally viewed negatively by people working in the field in terms of the quality of services, but basic services are available including advocacy for SSI and there are capable people here. We don't have all the facts regarding JR, but SSI is usually a gateway for Medicaid and that may be what he really wanted/needed. SSI & Medicaid have similar eligibility criteria and require review by a state board; often both programs share a state disability board; many social workers recommend starting with SSI. He may have been eligible, he may not have been. He may have had an income too recently. He may not have been sick enough for Georgia. We'll never know. A "successful" suicide is rarely impulsive and often unpreventable. The act may be dramatic, but the runup is often very quiet and hidden. This has clearly been a horrific experience for those around him and the tone of this discussion hasn't exactly honored their feelings or JR's memory.

[Guest]

RE: Doctor Love

 

>Do I detect some resentment toward any of your patients

>here?.

 

No.

 

>To say that you have never known anyone who deserves

>SSI to be denied is to acknowledge how little you actually do

>know about the process. The fact is that Social Security makes

>people go through hoops and denies many until they are forced

>to appeal just to get what they should have received in the

>first place.

>

I'm involved in the process almost every day. A decision to grant someone permanent disability payments carries huge consequences for the government (and also some negative consequences for the patient). We're not talking about merely giving a disabled placard for someone who can hop, skip, and run across a parking lot (and there are quite a few of those, if you've ever looked at some of the people who get out of their BMW's in the handicapped spaces). It is imperative that these applications get thorough evaluations, rather than approvals to anyone who applies.

 

>Your statement on depression intrigues me. Most doctors write

>a prescription and make no attempt to get their patient active

>in life or follow up in any way. Since you deal with the poor

>I doubt that you get paid to do this either.

>

I get paid to make people well. I talk often about the importance of physical activity, and even wrote a newspaper article about the importance of physical activity in health. It's posted in many of my exam rooms. Some patients even ask for copies. I believe physical activity is essential for both physical and mental health. Anyone who just sits around watching TV all day collecting social security cheks will find his physical and mental health deteriorating.

 

>As far as that lawyer you know who works while he collects

>SSI, I hope you are not his doctor.

 

Yes, I am. Quite frankly, he's far from my most sociopathic patient. I have at least three patients who've murdered more than one person (why they're out in society I have no idea; one has a psychological evaluation in his chart which states "this patient should never be allowed into open society" or something like that). Part of my job involves separating my feelings with respect to a person's moral character versus improving a patient's health. I do my best to improve a patient's health despite any revulsion I have towards their behavior. This does NOT mean that I will enable immoral or dysfunctional behavior (such as signing a disabled placard application for someone who's too lazy, rather than unable to walk across a parking lot).