She had trouble staying awake while she taught her first grade class. Soon after, the single, 42 year old woman who lived alone was diagnosed with Fibermyalgia, thyroiditis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and began the process of trying to collect on her disability insurance group policy which she had purchased through her employer since the early 1980s.

Amanda says that her first claim was denied. She appealed and that, too, was denied on the grounds that she did not have sufficient medical evidence to prove her disability. Eventually, Amanda explained that she was able to collect for two years, during which time she was put under surveillance by the insurer and cut off after the two year-mark, without warning.

When her benefits were re-instated, she said that she was sent by her insurer to the (now defunct) Kings Health Center, in Toronto for an independent medical evaluation and was in danger of being kicked off her benefits. Her illness continues to date, as do her benefits, but she is reluctant to release full details of her identity because she is fearful of possible repercussions by her insurer.