Other purpose in life - Was: Fusion

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/1/04 6:21:20 AM Eastern Standard Time,

aase.m@... writes:

<< When it comes to nurses, I can't think of a better example than the

EDNF. Sometimes you could think it was the National Foundation of

RN's, LOL... >>

LOL, LOL!!!! Aase, did you know I was a nurse too!!!!

Hugs,

Sue

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicki,

First of all... You have had me so curious here with the " Sunflower "

at the top of your posts... I love sunflowers!!! Much because it

reminds me so much of the sun and summer... I just bought the most

beautiful " Happy sun " silk scarf which I am going to frame and put on

a wall to remind me that summer does come eventually... It sure does

seem far away in the middle of a long Norwegian winter... The scarf

is a true work of art...

I am not a nurse. I wanted to become one though, many years ago... I

had not told the ortho. surgeon in a hospital where I was for 2.5

months because of my knees, but one day he just looked me straight in

the eye and said " Just so you know it, no way you are becoming a

nurse! " ... I was 16 at the time... I had already been active in the

Red Cross for a few years, and was for years afterwards too, in a

volonteer search and rescue team. I used all my spare time and then

some on it for years, but had to give it up. Now I know that it was

because of the EDS, but that was a long time before my diagnosis...

I ended up working in an office. At that time that was the " standard

recommendation " when you had joint problems and such. But that too

did not work for long, so eventually I had to give that up. I ended

up in college, becoming a social worker. I have taken some further

education within the field of " multidiciplinary rehabilitation "

(translated as best I can, have no idea which word you use for it)

and also works a bit teaching at the same course I took myself and at

a college 2 year course about the same. I have worked a few years

now as a social worker, the past few years working with refugees who

has some kind of handicap, e.g. adults with war injuries, polio, kids

with all kinds of handicaps... I have found that for me this has

been an alternative way in being able to work within fields I have

been interested in to begin with. And it is not physically

challenging, which is perfect. Actually it is an advantage that I

also have a handicap myself, that in itself does send some very

powerful signals to many of my clients who come from countries where

they have experienced being worth nothing because of their

disability, some have been the great shame of the family etc... I

work only 50% now, 100% became impossible. On my spare time I

volunteer in the Norwegian Psoriasis Association, right now as the

pres.

Even if you can't work for money anymore as a nurse, there is so many

things you can do where you can make such a huge difference for

people... In the EDNF or other places... I am sure that you at some

point will find something that will feel close to your heart...

It is so tremendously tough having to give up your work, whether you

are a nurse or work with something else. It sure takes a long time to

get to terms with. You have probably, as I think most of us do,

struggled for years already before you eventually had to give it up...

But know that you, in one way or another, will be able to make a

difference for others as a nurse. That you don't do it professionally

anymore, does not have to mean a thing, in my opinion. Even if I am

sure that it does not feel that way right now... There are so many

ways we can contribute... If I were you, I would consider the time

right now, as some " off time " to take care of your physical

challenges and recover from what is going on right now. Then when

things look a bit brighter, you will always be able to find something

you will like and feel good about doing, where you can use your

skills as an RN too in one way or another (those skills include so

much, right?)... You can always find something where you can

contribute when you are able to do it, and take it easy when you need

to do that...

When it comes to nurses, I can't think of a better example than the

EDNF. Sometimes you could think it was the National Foundation of

RN's, LOL... There are so many nurses there, it is amazing!!! Right,

??? I have heard you guys talk about it before, at the

conferences. And all the nurses who volunteer in the EDNF makes a

huge difference there, that is for sure... It is sure not practical

nursing, but no less important...

Anyway... The subject of having to give up the work you love, is sure

one that is so familiar to a lot of people here, and certainly one to

talk about here. It is great that you brought it up... I guess

that in many cases it is sort of extra tough for people who work in

nursing and similar professions, because many choose their profession

because of different reasons than for many other professions... I

don't know, but I would guess that it is more complex than it may be

if you have many other professions... I see the same a lot within my

own profession, and I feel that it may be much of the same there...

But no matter which profession you have, giving up working, is

awfully hard when you are forced to it because of your health...

Just my NOK .50 worth... Bottom line is that I felt like reminding

you that at some point you will be able to find something that feels

right for you, if you want to...

Aase Marit

>Sunflower

>

>Hey-

>I get yor drift!!

>I miss nursing too. ! Only a nurse understands the importance of

>what she does and has done in her life.

>It takes alot to give it up. I've struggled with that part for 5

>years now and just finally had to let go last month.

>Now i have to find my " other " purpose in life. : ).

[Guest guest]

He-he... Actually nope, but why is that I am not surprised?????

Aase Marit

>In a message dated 3/1/04 6:21:20 AM Eastern Standard Time,

>aase.m@... writes:

>

><< When it comes to nurses, I can't think of a better example than the

> EDNF. Sometimes you could think it was the National Foundation of

> RN's, LOL... >>

>

>LOL, LOL!!!! Aase, did you know I was a nurse too!!!!

[Guest guest]

He-he... Actually nope, but why is that I am not surprised?????

Aase Marit

>In a message dated 3/1/04 6:21:20 AM Eastern Standard Time,

>aase.m@... writes:

>

><< When it comes to nurses, I can't think of a better example than the

> EDNF. Sometimes you could think it was the National Foundation of

> RN's, LOL... >>

>

>LOL, LOL!!!! Aase, did you know I was a nurse too!!!!

[Guest guest]

He-he... Actually nope, but why is that I am not surprised?????

Aase Marit

>In a message dated 3/1/04 6:21:20 AM Eastern Standard Time,

>aase.m@... writes:

>

><< When it comes to nurses, I can't think of a better example than the

> EDNF. Sometimes you could think it was the National Foundation of

> RN's, LOL... >>

>

>LOL, LOL!!!! Aase, did you know I was a nurse too!!!!