A 29-year-old Canadian woman has lost her disability payments after she had a little too much fun at a strip club, on a beach, and on Facebook. Nathalie Blanchard, who is on disability leave from IBM in Bromont, Quebec, has hired a lawyer to fight the denial of her benefits, which she needs, she says, to combat a diagnosis of major depression. After she learned that the company’s insurer had seen a photo of her in a bikini on Facebook, Blanchard wondered if that might have had something to do with her rejection:
She said her insurance agent described several pictures Blanchard posted on the popular social networking site, including ones showing her having a good time at a Chippendales bar show, at her birthday party and on a sun holiday — evidence that she is no longer depressed, Manulife said. [CBC News]
Jesus Christ, if the woman has manic depression, perhaps a “sun holiday” and a bunch of sexy men is entirely appropriate. “Evidence” of her no longer being depressed would be more like a Facebook photo of her in a bikini, getting mounted on the beach by a Chippendale’s dancer. Then you’d have yourself a point…
And I totally agree with Manulife. If you’re going to scam the insurance company then don’t do something stupid like posting pics of you on facebook on vacation-everybody will see it
ON
commented on
Nov 23 09
at
10:36 pm
How do we know she scammed the insurance company? I read elsewhere that her psychiatrist specifically told her to get out and live. Is she supposed to cower in a dark room? Looking happy doesn’t equate being healthy. I once interviewed someone with major (as in suicidal) depression who had the most serotonin-washed pix and notes on her FB page… including half nekkid shots on the beach. It’s probably a coping mechanism.
cjm
commented on
Nov 23 09
at
10:42 pm
Well, it’s obvious that the first and third posters don’t know a damned thing about depression. Unfortunately, Manulife is acting like what they are: an insurance company. They will do whatever they can to avoid paying benefits, yes, even if it means totally screwing someone over. That’s just what they do, because they’re scum. Without exception. Too bad they’re a necessary evil.
Did it not occur to them that:
A) these pics might be from a long time ago
B) maybe she’s putting on a front and posted these to FB because she doesn’t want her friends and family to know how bad she is by posting a pic of her bawling with a knife to her wrist
C) she may have moments of being happy but then falls right into depression again (doesn’t necessarily mean bipolar)
First and third posters need to grab a few brain cells and use them for something other than typing useless trash on the internet.
Nancy
commented on
Nov 24 09
at
4:37 pm
don’t be lame. take it to it’s limit and realize that we are all depressed and deserve that. FAIL!
derf
commented on
Nov 24 09
at
4:41 pm
scammer
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