Posted on 11/22/2009 2:24:16 AM PST by markomalley
Facebook can be a double-edged sword, a Canadian woman learned when an insurance company cut her health benefits, claiming she was healthy after seeing pictures of her smiling in a bikini at the beach.
Nathalie Blanchard, 29, took long-term sick leave from her job at IBM in Bromont, Quebec, more than a year ago for severe depression. She was receiving monthly benefits from her insurance company, Manulife.
When Ms. Blanchard called Manulife to inquire why the payments dried up, the insurance company said that "I'm available to work, because of Facebook," she told CBC television.
She said that Manulife cited several pictures Ms. Blanchard had posted on her social-networking Web-site page, including some showing her enjoying herself during a male strip-tease show at a Chippendales bar, celebrating her birthday and sunbathing.
Based on these postings, the firm claimed Ms. Blanchard was no longer depressed.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
But it sounds more scandalous the way they did it. Not surprising for AFP, but surprising that the Washington Times would carry it that way.
No different than if they’d sent out a PI to watch her. Which would be fair enough. These fakers cost millions.
take it from somebody who has been to that hell and back... you can have the deadliest gloom in your brain and still crack a joke, go to parties and other frivolous stuff. this may or may not be a phony, this is too little to tell.
OK sure, but the issue is fitness for work. Not a general measure of whether she felt bad, but whether she was fit for work.
I would agree with the company if she’s whooping it up at chippendales, she’s fit for work.
Having had several relatives suffer mental illness and/or depression, I say you are spot on.
This “depression” crap is almost as bad as “bi-polar” disorder. Just another way to suck off of the government teat. Everyone is sad once in a while. boo hoo, get over it.
The question is not whether she needs some type of treatment or whether she is depressed, but whether she is so paralyzed by depression that she cannot work.
If you are on STD for a back problem, you best not be seen chopping wood. If you are on STD for depression, you best not be seen whooping it up.
take it from somebody who has been to that hell and back...
Who hasn’t at one time or other but you can still get up out of bed & take one step at a time. If she can get herself to the beach, she can get herself to work. That’s the best medicine. Just my opinion.
You are an ignorant whackjob. 25% of “bi-polar” patients commit suicide.
Canadians long ago figured out how to scam the system. Its pervasive there.
Yeah right, where did that “fact” come from? I’m not saying this stuff doesn’t occur, but it is used as an excuse by way too many. Supposedly 4% of the population has this? Bull. And your saying 1% of the population commits suicide from it? Double bull. It’s used as an excuse by thousands to get paid for not working. Why do you think there are so many commercials from shysters saying they can get you Social Security disability- this is one of their favorite excuses.
I’m sad.
Gimme some free money.
Wlecome to the new Canada and the new America ....
That is a bipolar hysterically FALSE statement !
” you can have the deadliest gloom in your brain and still crack a joke, go to parties and other frivolous stuff. this may or may not be a phony, this is too little to tell.”
True but you don’t publish your “joke” on the interwebs, or make a video of it.
You obviously don’t know what depression is.
In my case it came from my close relative who attempted suicide on a half dozen occasions. Spending time with someone having charcoal pumped into their stomachs to neutralize poisons, or visiting them in the ICU in a coma tends to have a certain reality about it.
Perhaps because Social Security Disability claims are almost never approved on the first claim unless the applicant is blind or missing limbs. The same is true for the rehearing. Only when a hearing is held before an administrative law judge, when you had better have a lawyer, are less obvious disabilities, like heart, lung, and mental problems, approved.
Well then, perhaps society owes you a living. Where should we send the check?
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