In a year's time, Catherine Mulhall went from being employee of the year at an Atlanta mortgage company to being forced out for making too many mistakes.

She lost her next six jobs, including office work for a priest: "You know it's bad when a priest fires you."

Rich Addicks / raddicks@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Catherine Mulhall gets no disability benefits, though her MS prevents her from working.

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Mulhall couldn't understand why simple tasks such as making copies tripped her up. Then, in 2007, doctors diagnosed her with multiple sclerosis, a disease that attacks the central nervous system.

While Mulhall struggles with fatigue, balance and bladder control, MS mostly has affected her ability to remember, solve problems and do other high-level mental tasks.

Three doctors told Social Security that Mulhall can't work. The agency agreed that MS limits her but says she can still do something. The agency twice denied her disability benefits. She is one of 12,497 waiting for a judge at the Atlanta North to hear her appeal.

Mulhall said she would love to work but can't. "I would work at McDonald's but I can't even make change," she said.

Meanwhile, Mulhall has $17 in the bank and is drawing food stamps. A friend pays her $588 COBRA monthly insurance premiums.

As important as the benefits are, Mulhall really needs access to government health care programs that accompany them. One of her medicines costs $26,000 a year.

"It is psychologically devastating for me to be dependent on someone," Mulhall said.

During these hot summer days, Mulhall struggles with being a prisoner to the indoors. MS has robbed her body of the ability to cool down. If she goes outside, she has to wear a cooling jacket.

"I miss the sun," she says.