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Award-Winning Documentary “Unrest” About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

This summer, we published a post about important new research on chronic fatigue syndrome, a debilitating illness characterized by muscle pain, inflammation, cognitive impairment and overwhelming tiredness. As we described, the disease has been renamed as myalgic encephalomyelitis, or sometimes ME or ME/CFS, and the research shows promising progress toward an eventual laboratory test for CFS.

In our law practice, we often represent people suffering from CFS who are fighting for long-term disability insurance benefits. LTD insurers are notorious for discounting complaints of impairment and pain based on CFS because of a lack of objective findings. As we reported in the earlier post, medical researchers are discovering objective markers of the impairment that are likely to contribute to developing a lab test to establish the existence of the illness. In the meantime, we advocate on behalf of our CFS clients to prove their reasonable and believable subjective complaints of pain, weakness and overwhelming fatigue that can prevent them from being able to work.

Enlightening Documentary on ME/CFS

Jennifer Brea is a CFS patient who created a documentary called “Unrest” about her experiences that won multiple awards, including one from the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. According to NPR, diagnosis can be difficult, and Brea’s doctors did not diagnose the disease in her case for more than a year from symptom onset.

NPR reports that research dollars are scant as compared to those for multiple sclerosis, despite CFS being more disabling and more common. According to the NPR article, three-quarters of those diagnosed with ME/CFS can no longer work.

“Unrest” is widely available for viewing on media platforms. Those suffering from the illness may find comfort in Brea’s story and other people can learn more about the CFS experience.


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Just when I thought there was no hope to recover my LTD benefits, I found attorney Constantin Roboostoff. With his expertise, I was able to recover all of my back long term disability benefits. Other attorneys wouldn’t take my case because it wasn’t cut and dry. Mr. Roboostoff took the challenge and did an incredible job. Not only did he get my current disability benefits going, he also recovered all my back benefits. He was a true blessing and I would recommend him whole heartedly. CW
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It was my pleasure to make contact with Scott Kalkin three years ago after other lawyers had turned me away and told me I would not succeed in my lawsuit. Thanks to Scott's thoroughness, dedication, and diligence, my lawsuit WAS successful and he saw me through to the end, which included putting legal pressure on the insurance company which had invested so much time, personnel, and money, in not paying me what was due. RB
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As soon as I met with Scott, I could tell he was knowledgeable, resourceful, experienced, highly professional, and would be dedicated to getting me fair treatment. Scott has handled all interactions with my insurance company ever since. Being able to rely on him to represent me has been a huge relief for a chronically ill person. SO
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