Re: Re: Norma/Driving plus/norma

[Guest guest]

Hey Norma,

Well, my driving ended on my own as well when one day i was driving and

suddenly couldn't push down on the gas pedal. I still cannot do that pushing

down movement with my right foot and it scared the hell out of me. I probably

should have made the decision not to drive sooner, because i was having trouble

with arms and hands too and couldn't hold the wheel. To me driving meant

independence, so it was a big blow at first until i kept progressing and other

issues of independence became more important. After about a year of not

driving, it didn't make my top ten of things i really missed in my life.

One of the reasons we tend not to notice things that are going on with our

disease is that we learn quickly ways to compensate. I was proud of my hobbles

by the time i got in to see doc franklin---he was not impressed and i was sad.

I tried like hell to get myself onto the table and although he helped me a bit,

he was not impressed either that i got there. Was very scary to hear that this

wasn't just going to go away (somehow i gleened that from things docs at USF

were telling me---think i made it up) and that it was going to keep getting

worse. I was in shock actually and my friend who went with me (thank god)

was available for me to call back later and say " did he really say.... " I

remember that first time with doc franklin as i had progressed more since seeing

the USF guys/gals. When you mentioned what the doc said to you yesterday, the

vividness of the memory came flooding back to me. He couldn't believe i was

still trying to work as much as i was and although i

was failing miserably living on my own and about to be evicted for non payment

of rent, I was still operating under the delusion that this will leave as

quickly as it came.

I only have the option of the public wheelchair transport now cause i cannot

get out of a manual chair, nor operate a manual chair anymore....I am glad they

are there despite my issues with them being on time and such. I only have me

and my dogs, so you are fortunate to have husband who is apparently very loving.

I think the things that got me thru were my friends reminding me of what i still

could do and what i still had.....it is hard to go there, I know, especially

right now. You will get there. Allow yourself to feel whatever you are feeling

(which i am sure is all over the map right now) as that will help you to refocus

yourself to do what you can to prepare for changes that are likely to occur in

the future. There is a balance (ha ha pun intended) to getting thru this. Wish

i had found this group sooner, cause it certainly helps with that balance.

We'll help you thru this!!

hugs and more hugs to you Norma,

Tawny

belgium46@... wrote:

Norma, My doctor never told be not to drive and he never asked me about it.

It was my decision not to after I quit work. After I decided not to drive

we sold my car it was just sitting there all week and maybe I'd take it out

once or twice a month. Just didn't make sense to have two car payments and

insurance to boot.............I have a personal chauffeur my husband, Saturday

he drives me to the hair salon and he loves talking to my hair dresser and

anyone else around . The weekend we go grocery shopping and or what ever I

need to do. He takes me to my doctors appointments but he's fortunate to have

a

very flexible job and I always book my appointments on his less busy days

and late in the afternoon. Its worked out fine for the past 12 years You will

learn to adapt and finds other ways to do things. It may not always be easy

to accept but hay ordinary life isn't easy either.

I don't like the fact I have this but I can't just sit around and think

about this disease. I keep busy around the house, I cook,clean do laundry

like

I used to do just slower and I pace myself. I know its easy for me to say

because I've had time to adjust during these last 15 years. It wasn't like

that for me in the beginning either. I thought my life was over but I decided

I couldn't just sit around feeling sorry for myself and say " Why Me " . Live

goes on my friend. We put our daughter though college got her married and

now we are expecting our first grandchild, a boy baby " Jack " and I'm going to

TRY to take care of him during the week while his parents teach school. So

weather we like our life or not it will go on..............Now I'll get off

my soap box.....................Your PLS Friend, Flora