Compassion in Action USA

Fantastic organization. Recently worked with them, again, at an event in Los Angeles for Homeless Veterans. They really took their time with each person that sat down with them and requested help. It seems like a very organized and dedicated group of people. Lots of Veterans should be receiving much needed assistance very soon.

I was left medically stranded after experiecing a steroid induced coma. I didn' know what to do or where to turn. I had been denied SSI, even though I was physically and financial left withno way to take care of myself The stress of it all was almost unbareble. Knowing that I'd be sick and on the streets if I didn't get any help soon. A friend of mine attended a health fair and returned with a flier from Compassion In Action. I called expecting a minimal to no help at all. I spoke with a woman named Barbara Case who was the director and founder of CIA. When our phone call was over I wept. Finally someone believed that I was a sick as I was, and was willing to help me. Barbara walked with me through the SSI process. She took me to ee doctors. She helped get mr the immediate help I needed finacally. She even help my get back payments of finances the were due me by other agencies. Most of all I felt she held my hand and treated me with dignity and with true compassion. Sometimes I felt that I was her only client. To be treated so awesomely, she couldn't have very many cients. Well, when I was well enough to attend a CIA function amd I saw the many people whomse had help and they all felt the same way about her as I did. I realied that this woman was truly a gift from God. Barbara Case and CIA saved my, very greatful, life.

My experience with Compassion In Action - USA was awesome. My advocate assisted me with getting my Social Security Disability benefits. I was too ill to do it by myself. She went with me to speak to my doctor and get the documentation we needed to prove the seriousness of my disability. Without Compassion In Action I would not have the income and medical care I need to care for myself and my wife.

Compassiiion in action in San Dimas Has been a God sent for me. My Arota Ruptured in December of 2007. I stayed in the hospital nearly 2 months. When I got out of the hospital I applied of disabilty and was denied. Also after my surgery I started bleeding which required me to have blood transfusions weekly, for a year, at the same time It was discovered that i needed to have another surgery to further repair my Arota. This is where Compasson in acton came to my rescue. Barbara Case worked very very hard and was able to help me get the necessary papers that i needed from the doctors to prove my condition and illness.

To simply say "thank you" will never ever be enough payment to this humane organization. Barb extends her kindness, patience, and generous beliefs out of a heart that is large enough to envelop the world. I am still disabled, however, if Compassion In Action hadn't stepped up to the plat, I seriously believe that I would be homeless, helpless or dead even now because once the downward spiral grabs hold, to get up again is very difficult if at all.

In 2005 Barbara helped me with my SSI and it was Heaven Sent. I heard lots of horror stories about people getting denied even with lawyers helping them. I was really in need of assistance and Barbara Case knew how to gather all of the information needed for the hearing so it would be impossible for the judge to deny my case. She was so phenomenel that when I got sick and was hospitallized during the time my hearing was set, Barnara went in my place, took care of everything and I was awarded my SSI Disability. I have referred several people to her and they have all been helped by this organization as well.

Barbara Case and Compassion-in-Action are "Lifesavers". When we felt completely defeated by the "system" after my Husband, Ron was denied Soc. Sec/Disability Benefits. (He has many, many health issues with the most apparent being that he could no longer walk and the severe knee pain was crippling. We could not believe that he was denied.) Barbara threw us a "Life Rope of Hope" . Her knowledge was so helpful and her voice was so calming. Helping us step-by-step on the procedure of Appeals was so comforting. I felt so overwhelmed and scared. Barbara always had the answer for everything. We spent many hours on the phone going over paperwork. She spent many more hours contacting Doctors for us and then submitting all the necessary documents that we needed to "WIN" All the while not asking for a cent in return. The people that Compassion in Actions have helped....are blessed. I know that we are blessed and very grateful for all that Barbara has done for our family. I know that with Barbara Case/Compassion in Action on your side helping.....there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

My name is Deidre D. Whitaker. I met Barbara Case years ago through my cousin Michael and his wife Jeri Sharp. And that is when I started to have hope! In 2002 I had my first back surgery. He shaved down my disc L5. Everything was good. Then in 2008, I started hurting , falling down and having bowel movements on myself; Something was wrong!! I went to see Dr. Messiwalla and they discovered there was no disc there. Just a hole. That was in 2009. I had applied for disability but was denied because I missed my appointment because I was in the hospital having my second back surgery. And that's when Barbara went to work for me!!!! She fought Social Security and got them to open my case!! She is an angel sent from God!! With everything she's going through in her personal life, she has never stopped helping me. She is a dear friend and I love her. I would give my life for her. She's always there for me. Since this has happened to me, I'm seeing a psychiatrist. Ive had a nervous breakdown. I have no strength, don't wanna live wearing diapers and in constant pain. Hopefully it will get better! And when I was in the mental institution, she came to see me and called. So I owe my life to my dear friend Barbara Case. Sincerely, Diedre Whitaker

Compassion in Action is a very good name for this organization. Barbara Case is a caring person that is also very knowlegeable about the laws. I had colo-rectal cancer in 1998 and at the end of that year, I had two major surgeries with chemo-therapy. The cancer was a stage 4 and they gave me a 10% chance to live. I spent most of 1999 on chemo and radiation treatments. I went back to work in 2000, but my oncologist did not want me to go to work. I was never able to work the same as before the cancer. I had chronic fatigue and back pain due to recurring kidney stones. I had my gall blader removed because of stones. My ileostomy bag would leak frequently because the stoma was not shaped correctly. This still happens. After 2007 I was let go from work because I could not keep up. I contacted Barbara Case for help in applying for SSI Disabilty. At this point I did not have medical insurance. Barbara Case helped me with the paper work and we had several meetings to submit everything correctly. After going to court this year, I was awarded SSI Disability. I can't thank Barbara Case enough.

In 2009 I became seriously ill from an adverse reaction to a vaccine. I had more than 10 hospitalizations and saw many doctors. I didn't know that "managed care" means that you manage your own care. Which means that you must fight for good care. I had never been seriously ill before and as I got worse I couldn't drive and spent many days sleeping. Compassion in Action ordered all my medical records and now if my medical records were stacked up they would be 2 feet tall. Compassion in Action helped me file for State dissability and after that benefit was exhausted, they helped me apply for SSI. An advocate from Compassion in Action even went with me to my first SSI appointment and THEY DON'T CHARGE FOR THEIR HELP!! I still have to fight with my insurance company to get authorizations to see more specialized doctors but Compassion in Action took a huge load of stress off me by handling the paperwork for SSI. I am so gratefull for their help.

Compassion In Action-USA was a God send. Both my husbsnd and I were on the verge of having no income and being ill, me with Ovarian Cancer Stage IIIc and him 2 heart conditions and COPD. Barbara knew what paper work we needed to move the process faster and stayed on top of things so we got what we needed faster than we would have on our own. It was reassuring to have someone who knows the system on our side and get through the process in a quick and timely manner. We are very grateful for all the help that Compassion In Action-USA and Barbara Case gave us.

Her company name says it all, and she still gives more! With Compassion In Action USA’s support, I believe, every person who needs this particular knowledge and service would benefit extremely! Her personal knowledge, expertise and compassion for the entire process are, incomparable. This process has not been easy for anyone in our family, but thanks to Barbara Case and Compassion In Action USA, my family got what they earned from working all their lives. Barbara helped this process get done in a timely manner, and supported each and every person involved! Her willingness to give and to support families going through this process, go far beyond normal business values. She is there to support you, even after the filing is over. Her company should already be, one of the top rated Non-Profit Organizations in the USA! Our family wishes to say thank you to Barbara at Compassion in Action for her diligence, tenacity, and most importantly, her Compassion In Action! Thanks for being YOU (our angel)!

I had been receiving SSDI for about 6 years. I was in chronic pain daily I received a diagnosis of Lyme Disease & Epstein Bar, I was treated with the appropriate medicines, some of my symptoms were resolved but I was left with ", chronic disabling , widespread pain. I was referred to many specialists and had undergone numerous surgeries and medical procedures. I had been on every pain killer known to man, none of which helped at all. The "pain Specialists " even went as far as to implant a "Morphine Pump" trying different meds and different combination of drugs, again none of which ever helped with the chronic pain, which by the way averaged (8 to 9 on the pain scale) on a daily basis Anyways my SSDI checks stopped coming, and I received a letter telling me that Social Security Disability felt I was well enough to return to work (I cried). Just the thought of going through the "appeal process" was so overwhelming and caused me even more intense pain. "side bar" I was in so much pain for so long I had been seeing a Psychologist, to help me deal with all that pain. Anyways he referred me to Barbara Case, and Compassion in Action. She is such a special person, she helped me with the all the paperwork for the "appeals process", she came to my house several times, because driving was so painful for me, she met with my Dr. and Sister-in-law several times "driving long distances" to meet with them because they wanted to attend the "SSDI hearing". Thanks to all of Barbara's help SSDI reversed their decision. I am still in chronic pain, even with a definite diagnosis that I received in 11-2007 of Interstitial Cystitis, more than likely a complication of the Lyme Disease. I am still receiving SSDI to this day, but I know if I ever receive another letter from Social Security Dissability I know who to call for help, and that makes a huge difference. God Bless Barbara and Compassion in Action.........and thank you for beeing a wonderful advocate for the disabled.

My name is Jeri L. Holmes. After 15 years of hard labor, working in a local hospital, the lower lumbar spine had ruptured to the point of pain at a 10 at all times and no therapy was helping, so as one of the Doctors who was treating me said, " It's time to put you out to pasture." Although he would Never put that in writing. I first filed in 2000. When I finally got a hearing the lawyer who was supposed to be representing me had not one piece of evidence on my behalf. The judge had no choice but to deny my claim, so the appeal was sent to another lawyer who "specializes" in appeals. Mind you, I am not able to work, so I have no income. I do not know what I am about to go through and that my faith would be tried by fire. In the event that someone might sue me for slander I am not mentioning Doctors or lawyers names. By 2005, I am again facing the judge. Her long denial was basically saying that all my Doctors reports were falsified and his witness was not credible, as he didn't have the right credentials behind his name. Not once did the expert lawyer ever ask the doctor to fill out an Residual Functional Capacity Report: RFC report. One of the most important documents you can have as it is an itemized list of what you. as a person, can and can not do. I was DEVASTATED!!!!! We are going on 5 years now. I am disabled and don't know which way to turn. A friend of mine named Felicia gave me a card from Compassion in Action and said " Maybe Barbara can help you." So that night when I got home, out of despair, I emailed my story to her and within one day, got a response to meet with her. We met and after I felt that all hope was gone, she said she understood what needed to be done and would help me. Went with me to doctors and psychiatrists appointments explaining to them that the reports had to be in more detail. Brought up that RFC report and the importance of it. Took time to help me. After eight (8) years of fighting the system, same judge who denied me in 2005 gave a fully favorable decision in late 2008. The lawyer really thought he had done a work, and actually wanted to hold off on the decision, so he could get the appeals from the previous years approved. I was getting ready to get evicted, so I told him I could not wait any longer and I wasn't looking to become rich, just pay my rent. If it hadn't been for Barbara and Phil helping me all along, I would probably be on the streets. I remember one Thanksgiving a couple of years ago, Barb and Phil were out shopping and thought about me and my household and brought over all the makings for a turkey dinner. I was floored. They did this out of love. Compassion. I mean Compassion In Action. That's what I mean. They are some of the most loving people on the face of the earth. On October 4th, 2010, her partner Phil, departed this earth. He has left the physical body, but the seed of compassion is growing. It is the only thing that is going to enlighten us. Love one another, as I have loved you. So the Messiah said. Without question, Barbara and all her crew, hats off to you and what you have dedicated your lives to. It is a beautiful thing to do for someone not expecting a thing. This is true compassion. Any questions or comments are appreciated. You can call me at 909-623-3654.

I was introduced to Barbara Case by my Chiropractor.Maybe in 2004. I never knew people like her & Compassion in Action existed up until then. I have an injury to my back from my neck to my tail bone, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, migraines, and an anxiety disorder. I had applied for social security but was denied when Barbara came into my life. I was very stressed from trying to figure out how I could be denied & in so much pain. I was a total mess. Barbara & Compassion in Action said this was no problem & that she would help me with the appeals process. Barbara was by my side every step of the way. I had no money & didn't drive so she picked me up for all my doctors appointments.She had all the paper work that was needed to appeal & had copies of all my medical records brought to the court. Barbara was my complete advocate when I could no longer stand up for myself. Barbara functioned for me and never asked for a dime. Not for all her work, time, gas. She called me in between appointments to make sure I was doing ok, to give me a shoulder to cry on, & up date me on my appeals case. When it was time to go to court she was right by my side and after about 1 1/2 years was able to prove that I had been disabled all the way back to 1996. Barbara Case is the definition of Compassion in Action. Without people like her and her organization there would be a lot of people with disabilities that would fall threw the cracks and not get the money for food, shelter or medicine. Or the proper medical care they need to feel like a functioning human being, and most of all know that there are people out there that really care & it can make all the difference in a persons life. You just never know if it might be you some day. I know I never did. I was the perfect picture of youth and health. If anyone reading this has the ability to help Barbara Case and Compassion in Action I believe it is a true blessing to do so. It touches so many lives in so many ways.

What can I say about Barbara Case and Compassion. Barbara was my Angel, we found each other at one of the lowest times in my life. She stayed on the phone with Drs. and anyone necessary to pull my case together. With me being in NC and her being in California, it was NO hardship for this lady! My lawyer quit on me 2 days before my hearing at the judicial level. I went with a friend, and entered my trial. Barbara had everything so well prepared, that I won my case that day. Barbara and Compassion not only work for you, they really care. I thank GOD for Barbara Case everyday of my life.

Barbara Case and Compassion in Action are making a difference in many people's lives. Barbara embodies the definition of the word compassion. I have seen her lament over those who fall through the cracks of broken systems. Compassion in Action has incredible results with the tools they have developed for training, advocacy, and case management. I am honored to know Barbara and the wonderful organization, Compassion in Action.

I thought I could deal with Social Security on my own, afterall they were a fair and just agency that would read supplied documents. HAHAHA, what a joke. I first filed in 2004 and spend time requesting appeals and supplied additional medical documents. I called a TV type SSD attorney and was told I didn't have a case. I took that as he didn't want to take the time to assist me as it would involve too much time. I saw an article in the local newspaper of an organization that would assit "victims" of the SSD system. This was Compassion in Action and set up my first appointment with Barbara Case. From that first meeting, Barbara gave the guidance and necessary information to fight the corrupt and broken system. Barbara represented me for over 4 years, fighting the system and appealing many wrong decisions including a case dismissal by a hearing judge because I could not attend my hearing due to surgery. Another 2 years of fighting and we finally had received a new hearing before the same judge in Pasadena. Things did not go well but Barbara continued to fight for me and would not let this judge bully her. FINALLY, after over 4 years of dealing with this system, I was awarded benefits back to 1999. I received a lump sum check for benefits less any Work Comp money received, a monthly SSD check, and immediate Medicare coverage as a disabled person. None of this would have been accomplished without Barbara's dedication to her client and I will be forever greatful for her actions.

a little voice said: Hello, This is Barbara Case from Compassion in Action, I understand you need some help. Wow, God is that you? I was dying of SLE (lupus) the worse kind, and Thalasemmia and an entire list of diseases -was denied by social security many times (I mean REALLY? Just how dead do they want me to be before they approve my disability) My husband had stage 4 cancer...He was dying at the VA Hospital. I had both of his daughters living with me as their mother was hospitalized. We were a middle class family that had gone through our life's savings-our pension monies, as we lost our jobs due to illness... AND..EVERY governmental agency failed us. No food stamps (help we are starving...we have minor children and no income)proper proof provided. no. I am desperate for medical for myself and step children...NO. Barbara Case and her husband came by and gave us a big turkey..we ate everything...even boiled the bones!! And got us all of the services we were eligible for: food stamps, medical. She and her husband were at my husbands funeral- and with me in friendship and partnership every day since. Compassion In Action was not only instrumental in my permanent disability,(something a lawyer couldn't get done) but the approving judge sent his distain in a letter to the other judges who passed decline judgements. It was blatant that thier decline decisions were cruel and unjust. The story has a happy ending. I lived to breathe another day, thanks to the selfless, endless work of Compassion in Action.

Compassion in action is an awesome organization that helps people who are disabled. My daughter needed help and my husband and I were at a loss on how to get it. Compassion in Action helped with all the paper work and documents that we needed to get help for our daughter. Thank you Barbara for all you do. You are a blessing and we thank you for all your time you took to help us.