If you would see me walk, you would KNOW that I had either been tipping the bottle or was certainly disabled! I was just too darned stubborn to use the hand control and how, I don't know, but my right foot (the weakest one) just took care of me!!! We live around a lot of deer and that old foot came to the rescue many times...amazing! J
When I walked into the DMV to get my driver's license renewed, there was no doubt there had been 'changes' since I had last had it done. I had to take a driver's test and even with the hand control built in the car, I didn't use it so had a choice in how my license was 'issued'. I chose to have it shown as 'handicapped' but the gal told me I could certainly have it as normal' since I didn't use the controls at all during the test and passed with flying colors. I wasn't quite ready to give them up 'just in case'. Now that the weather is better, I'll be out driving more and retake the test But that danged old parallel parking is for the birds! I didn't do so hot when I was 16 and still don't like it!! J PS: Me, too! -------Original Message------- From: Robert Pall Date: 4/3/2008 10:13:05 AM To: jrushton Subject: RE: [TMIC] When do you know if it is time to quit! Jeanne: I loved your reply. I think it will be the right choice for me (sooner rather than later). Mentally I could not use hand controls...it would have made me feel disabled and embarrassed! Strange as it seems I want people to not see me as disabled and certainly not treat me as disabled...but time is taking its toll! Thx Again! Rob PS: I believe if we ever met we would like each other! From: jrushton [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 9:08 AM To: tmic-list@eskimo.com; Robert Pall Subject: Re: [TMIC] When do you know if it is time to quit! Oh, Rob, to us there is no complaining when it comes to our TM. If that were the case, we might as well back out of TMIC and crawl in a hole and be alone, again!! One of the most difficult moments of this entire TM time is when I had to walk in and give my notice having to tell my 'other family' of many years that I just could not do what I did before I was stricken. Nursing was so wonderful and the people I worked with and were truly my friends plus I was a lead nurse boss and by golly, I liked that!! I was sad to be giving up all of the patients that I had gotten to know so well over the years, also. The clinic would have let me continue working but my ability and stamina were not even half of what they were before. There was just too much pain and by noon I could hardly motivate. Plus I then had an hour drive back home which was stressful even with hand controls (that I didn't use) (another story).. So, Jack and I talked it over and me, being spoiled rotten (at work and) at home finally decided I had to quit. I was able to get onto disability quite fast and have not regretted it one moment. I miss my people from the bottom of my heart but I just couldn't keep on. Jack then took early retirement and we have had the most wonderful time together. THE BEST PART???? NO ALARM CLOCK!! We are so busy and able to help the kids and grandkids more plus get back into volunteering in our little town, again. When the weather is halfway nice, we are outside. (I have a picture of me on the tractor if you want to see it!) Anyway, just my two cents worth. Seriously, it's a very personal decision. That's where the prayer comes in.... Jeanne -------Original Message------- From: Robert Pall Date: 4/3/2008 8:32:19 AM To: tmic-list@eskimo.com Subject: [TMIC] When do you know if it is time to quit! I am obviously on a letter writing campaign this is due to what I perceive as a worsening of my condition ok here is my question .I have been working full time for the past 10 years after contacting TM (obviously this was after the hospital and rehab) I drive more than 2 hours a day (welcome to New York City) and for the first time I am really wondering how much longer I will be able to keep this up it just keeps getting harder. On the one hand if I stop working I will have all the time in the world to think of my condition (bad!), on the other hand work just keeps getting harder and harder both physically and mentally(bad too!). Please don't tell me to just cut down..that cannot work ..therefore what I have done mentally is say to myself that if I can just work 2 more years then I can retire only problem is that 2 years seems like a very very long time! I am going for a spinal MRI next week and Dr Kerr hooked me up with an excellent Dr. in New Jersey whom I will be seeing in a couple of weeks so I am trying to be proactive just not sure how much longer my "positive attitude" will be enough to get me by! Sorry about this I truly hate complaining when I know so many of you are so much worse than I am! Thanks for everything! Rob in New Jersey