being disabled....

[iamkeri1]

I normally post in pink, but decided not to because I have been told it is hard for people with limited vision to read. I am disabled myself. I will post to this thread in a minute, but for now I just wanted to list some other threads on the topic so anyone interested can peruse them,
Smooches
Keri

Differently Abled (fly your freak flag high)
　
The Mythical *Pass* for Differently-Abled People
　
Fibromyalgia/Chronic Illness/Chronic Pain/etc thread
　
Ableism and Ableist Language

[iamkeri1]

It's funny - I don't knpw whether its because my eyes are tired or what, but this big type is HARDER for me to read.

I had polio at age three, walked with crutches for over forty years, and then when my arms began to go bad I switched full time to an electric scooter for mobility. The switch had negatives - no more dancing which I darly missed, and some problems with building accessibility. BUT the benefits have been overwhelmingly good for me. My energy level zoomed. I can use both hands at the same time for a task, I can carry my own tray in a cafeteria, I can do hundreds of activities that were difficult or impossible before, I can hold hands and move forward at the same time ,,, and I can finally "walk" and chew gum at the same time, LOL!

I had a wonderful 25 year marriage to my FTM husband who loved me both with crutches and with the scooter. He died seven years ago, and I spent most of that time alone. But it was ME who was not ready. This past year I have had loving relationships with two great people. Both relationships ended short of "forever", but the people I remain in touch with. It's real possible that I am still not ready.

But the point is, being disabled did not keep people from finding me attractive.

I am incredibly lucky (and incredibly grateful) to be pretty much pain free.

Blessings to you all. Single or partnered, may we all be content with our lives or have the ability to change them.
Smooches,
Keri

[cuddlyfemme]

Like Keri, I normally post in pink but have been told how hard reading pink is so I'm writing this in black. I'm an epileptic, I've had epilepsy since I was 11. The children's neurologist that I saw said it would go away when I got older but it never did and more than likely never will. There's somethings that I can't do, like drive which is really frustrating...I hate depending on others and on public transportation. I take meds every morning and every night. They pretty much control the seizures but a few times a year I still seize.

Another here who takes daily meds for all sorts of things and whose life can be limited by health issues at any given time. You can't 'see' what's wrong so folks assume there is nothing wrong but then they don't know that I could have no feeling in my hands/arms that day or that I can barely draw breath (particularly in the winter - yay for better weather and calmer lungs), or that it took me hours just to get out of bed.

I've been very lucky that partners have understood my limitations and we've worked around them with minimum fuss.

[Daywalker]

As of yesterday, I'm not sure what I've got.

According to brand new tests, my 'Auto-Immune' stuff seems to all the
sudden be in order. My immune system is compromised, that is fer sure.
I was Dx'd with MS 13 years ago. Fibro & Arthritis are evident and have
been with me for years. So. Now. They are thinking I've had a small
series of Cardiac events that went undetected years back and have left
me fucked up with things that mimic many other conditions.
Reynauds is definitely present.
They still looking in on Sjogren's.
All this shit at once yesterday...has knocked me sideways
and wobbled my disposition for the last 24 hours.

So forgive me if I am lacking in the humor of it all right now.
I'm actually swimming in the pissed off and confused stage as I type.

That's my share for now.

Gonna have to go cheer myself up.
Or I'll have to ask myself to leave the room.

[Rockinonahigh]

Wow,good thred hear,thanks for starting it.I hope I set things right for you to beable to read this,so hear goes.
I was born a very tiny preemie,because of that as well as some of the fall out of the medical treatment I receved dureing the first months of my life I have had progressive deffness since birth,am dislesict(sp?) a bit hypre active along with some a.d.d. I really never felt like I was disabled because of all this because I have found ways to just deal with it because my grand parrents kept me in situations that gave me the way to find my way to deal with all of this.The deffness I will never out grow but the rest for the most part has blended into my life,some ppl deal with it some dont..those who dont
well I figure its there loss not mine.
Then In 1995 I injured my back wich herniated two disk,over the years I have blown it up a fue more times rideing rough stock in rodeos.Yes I knew I was walking a fine line with it but ..in truth really didnt care cause its my life and I was going to injoy it however I could.Now speed this up to today,my back had turned into arthritis,crazy burning sciatica to the toes at times...my feet tingle a lot...my neck has a poped vertabrae wich pinces my neck when I turn my head to far.Oh lets not forget the ashtma wich is something else to deal with minimaly.With all this I just keep on trucking..I limp,gimp,walk a bit funny sometimes.I once thought about how I lived my life and would I change it if I knew all this would happen...shure a fue things yes..but I would still do most of what I have done.I use to feel I would never have a relationship with any one,it bugged me like it dose many ppl.Now I just figure Im ok the way I am,if some sweet thing comes into my life...wonderful ,if not well its not ment to be.So I keep doin what im doing liveing my life by doing my best serrounding myself with possitive people helpes greatly.

[Sachita]

First of all- HUGS to you all. I am blessed with good health, strong as a bull and STILL have trouble finding the right partner. No to derail but I think when seeking a life partner you must have things in common. Big things like what you believe, feel and how you connect. Everyone has pet peeves, deal breakers and disabilities in some form or another. You don't ever give up. You keep putting yourself out there, network with friends (Love comes in all forms) and curb the loneliness as best you can. I see a few of you here with some of the same challenges. As friends why not become partners- roommates, helpmates, etc? It would be cheaper and you'd have more support.

[citybutch]

Don't forget Connie Panzarino's The Me In the Mirror

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Me-Mirror-Connie-Panzarino/dp/1878067451#reader_1878067451"]Amazon.com: The Me in the Mirror (9781878067456): Connie Panzarino: Books[/ame]


Connie was one of my dearest friends and I miss her madly... and I will always talk about her book....

I love me some Connie!

Originally Posted by iamkeri1

I normally post in pink, but decided not to because I have been told it is hard for people with limited vision to read. I am disabled myself. I will post to this thread in a minute, but for now I just wanted to list some other threads on the topic so anyone interested can peruse them,
Smooches
Keri

Differently Abled (fly your freak flag high)
　
The Mythical *Pass* for Differently-Abled People
　
Fibromyalgia/Chronic Illness/Chronic Pain/etc thread
　
Ableism and Ableist Language

[The Oopster]

It's been ages since I've read this book but found it reassuring and inspirational at the timne I read it:


The Alchemy of Illness by Kat Duff she is a counselor in private practice that has chronic fatigue syndrome.

[DamselFly]

what a dismal week, medically! first, my glaucoma specialist tells me that i am now legally blind. then (this is the "in trouble" part") my gp. refuses to renew my fentanyl patches (100 mgs, every 48 hrs) from my prescription in WV. she DID refer me to a pain specialist but tells me that getting an appt will take a long time. when i asked what to do in the meantime, she says, "well, that is not my problem." ai, what a compassionate dr.! more info on the fibromyalgia/chronic pain thread. from all the info i've found on the web, coming off this cold-turkey is a very, very BAD idea...
*not looking forward to the coming days...*
DamselFly

[iamkeri1]

Damsel.
Could you call your old doctor, tell them you are traveling out of state, and get the prescription renewed that way?
Smooches,
Keri

[deb_U_taunt]

I feel blessed with wonderful and loving people in my life.
Didn't know how many people cared, until I was down.

[iamkeri1]

How is everyone doing this week? The heat here is incredible. Of course it's always hot here in the summer, but it is a little early this year. I moved fo Florida for the heat, and I have certainly not been denied it, LOL.

Hope y'all are doing well, Pop in and say a word or two.
Smooches,
Keri

[Hollylane]

Hello All,
I'll pop in and say a word or two..Though I'm well known for using a whole lot more then one or two!

I have gastroparesis. I miss a lot of work due to pain, nausea and vomiting. As I've mentioned recently in other posts, I recently had a pyloroplasty to hopefully relieve some of my symptoms(but added another nasty one that I won't burden all of you with knowing). The medications I take for pain and nausea are debilitating and make it impossible for me to report to work fit for duty when I am on them. The only medication that would likely help the most is the green stuff. My employer would not support this as a treatment option, and probably couldn't legally if they wanted to.

At work, there is a lot of water cooler talk about my attendance, and because I do not have a visible disability, it is mostly assumed that I am a dead beat employee. As a workaholic/over achiever, this is distressing to me.

I really miss being up and able enough to do the things I really enjoy in life, and I really miss being the star employee!

That's all I have for now. Hope everyone is having a great day!