re:/ Introduction new member

[Guest guest]

, thanks very much for your welcome email.

I think you're right about the help. People like us to be healthy and while they can't cure us, they want to help out. Just to add to the reasons you have mentioned.

Yet, I turned to help organizations for I noticed the relationship with friends changed into one of caretakers. In fact it felt like I was about to loose my friends. They avoided to let me help them with their emotional problems for instance. Now I have started talking to them to be clear about my health and I am still the same person. Things will turn out fine, even better I think.

The buddy care offers free services. It was great to meet the buddy. I hope I haven't worn her out with all my talk. I did to myself - LOL. We had fun and I'm looking forward to her next visit.

I had a severe depression about the losses. The losses about my active life was just a part of my depression. From this I came to

formulate what I need now with the disabilities. I think what I missed the most was contact with people. In some ways it brought up the aftermath of my abuse experiences.

The aftermath of the abuse was severe too.

This had been a process of years to heal from the aftermath. There had been times I wasn't able to work, yet maintained volunteer work and hobby's. From this perspective, I'm grateful I have had an active life.

Also I realize many people are disabled on a young age.

I feel disappointed and sad for you, there are so many obstacles to care for Lizzy. I wish I would know any alternatives to make it possible.

I hope you'll get over the disappointment.

Take care,

micha.

Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 17:06:29 -0500 Subject: Re: Introduction new memberWelcome Micha, You certainly have a lot to overcome, and seem to have the determination to do it. I like the part where you talk about the fact that you are grateful for the good times that you have had. .....I sounds like you had a very active life before you became so ill..........and the fact that you can joke about putting taps on your crutches so that you can continue to tap shows that you have not given in to depression but continue to express your personality even when the going is rough.. When I start to grieve for the "ME THAT USED TO BE".....I try to cherish the good times that I had before Lupus. .......A lot of our members have been disabled at a young age and never got to experience the things that I have had the pleasure of being able to do. I am 60 years old and wasn't diagnosed with Lupus till I was 54......So I did a lot of living before being struck down........I was very indepedant also....and It has been hard for me to ask for help......but I look at it this way.......If we don't ask for help......People don't know when to help us.....and most people are very willing to help,and derive a sense of self-worth from the pleasure of helping a fellow human -being. I look forward to getting to know you better.