Reply to Maureen

[Guest guest]

Maureen,

You wrote: " I cant get used to them staring at me because it upsets me

greatly. " and " When I am zooming around with my walker, I forget that I have

a problem and am in the great frame of mind that i am no different to able

bodied people. "

My question is: How can ANYTHING upset you unless you let it? That is YOUR

choice to make. Take back your power and look at it with a different

perspective. I would suggest something like: " Gee, they're staring at me. I

must be more attractive than I thought. " or " They're staring at me? Oh well,

some people have nothing better to do. I'm pleased I can give them some

entertainment. " Staring back at them just makes you feel bad on a

subconscious level and you thus let them " live in your head rent free. " This

is the professional me talking now. This is a Cognitive Behavioral Method of

managing the thought patterns that we learned growing up. It's called a life

schema. You are giving up the power you have to others and not empowering

yourself. Empower yourself by changing your thoughts. This will lead to

different feelings and behaviors. Remember, you are you, not PLS or the cane

or the walker. And remember the second sentence quoted above that you

stated. This is the positive attitude, the one you want to keep. Yes, you

are unique with PLS. But this makes you special, not strange.

I could care less if people stare. I actually don't even notice it. Why

should I? I have to use my walker to be in some stores and I use a shopping

cart if I can so I don't have to use my walker and the cart together. This

would be very unhandy. Most people are more than willing to talk with me and

help me if I ask. In fact, many people ask if they can help. I usually take

them up on it. Why be full of pride and fall on my butt when I can get

needed help?

I have actually used my PLS and walker to make some of my patients at the

State Hospital where I work to understand that anyone with a " disability "

can do things they want to within reason and to also let them know I won't

let them " use " their mental illness as a crutch to keep from being

responsible for their actions and their lives. I don't know if it has

actually worked, but most of them won't complain around me anymore.

Thought for the day: " Man (and Woman) is not disturbed by events alone but

by the view he (she) takes of them. "

Just something to think about,

Mike Gray