Last Updated on September 20, 2010
“What Ifs” are hypotheticals which can paralyze a process. Often, such imaginary road blocks are pragmatic irrelevancies, and are better left alone. Others, one should affirmatively confront.
Thus: “What if my Supervisor says…” There are things in one’s control, and those which are not. A Federal Disability Retirement application contains an implicit concept which must not be forgotten: It is actually a Federal Medical Disability Retirement application. What the Supervisor says or doesn’t say is not ultimately relevant. Can the Supervisor’s Statement have an influence or impact? Obviously. But it is not one of those things which should be worried about, because it is beyond anyone’s control — for the most part.
“What if my doctor won’t support my case?” This is a hypothetical which one has control over, in filing for Federal Medical Disability Retirement benefits. As such, one should make an appointment with the doctor before starting the process, or even contemplating starting the process, and have a frank discussion with the doctor. Bifurcate those issues which one has control over, from those which one does not. In filing for Federal Disability Retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS, one needs to confront the reality of today, in preparation for tomorrow’s future.
Sincerely,
Robert R. McGill, Esquire