Re: Re: I am alive!

[Guest guest]

Hi Marti,

I can only speak about my own experiences in dealing with other people and I

have got to say it has been very positive. Just about everyone I have dealt

with in Scotland and in Ireland for that matter, have been very sympathetic

and supportive. I think when I was working they could see that I was still

trying to do my job without asking other people to do stuff for me, but if

anyone

saw me struggle to lift something or whatever, they would help and I was

never made to feel that I was a burden or anything.

Over here in the UK some people con the Government into paying them benefits

for a supposed illness. My worry is that people who don't know me might

bracket me with those. Anyone who knows me knows that I worked in a maintenance

environment for 16yrs despite this disease and I am constantly told that DLA

is actually for people like me.

As for the group, I think considering what the group is about, we are quite

a cheerful bunch. Granted when most people join they are usually far from

cheerful but if you were to look back on the introductory mail from most of us

and then have a look at our recent mail, you would probably detect an

improvement in " mood "

Am I wrong? What do the rest of you think?

Take care,

.

[Guest guest]

I agree with you completely about people improving at least on their

mood when they join our group. I'm sure a lot of it is finding out you

aren't alone in dealing with this nightmare. I know I felt that way right

off. Plus it's such a friendly group that you all made me feel so welcome

when I first joined. I try to repay everyone by greeting all the new

people, but I know some slip through my fingers. (Though if you saw how bad

my fingers were right now, it is understandable..lol)

Also your sense of humor and keeping every one smiling makes a huge

difference, just like our " stories " that we share with the group. After my

last downer story, I'm going to have to remember a really positive one to

make up for that email. Talk about being negative...I always try to find

the positive in every situation, but some are sure harder than others.

I do believe we have a special group of people. You know some people

believe that advanced souls take on the hardest lives and I've often thought

in our case, maybe that's why every one is so full of character, compassion,

and love for other people. I realize that makes us sound sort of

" superior " but I didn't mean it too. We need to get something out of this

deal after all..lol. At least being an advanced or old soul sound

positive...lol. If you think about it though we do reach a lot of people

with our disease. Some of them rise to the occasion, like spouses who never

leave us or who love you regardless of your skin, and yet others fail the

experience completely and just walk out. Somehow I think it makes most of

us a better person deep down, but it sure isn't an easy way to achieve that.

I didn't mean to get so philosophical on everyone and I hope I didn't offend

anyone either. I meant it all in the most positive manner.

Thanks again for being so funny and full of laughter. I just ordered

a book from Amazon about laughter and illness an how it truly does help heal

us. If it is as good as it sounds, I'll pass on the title. Take care and

thanks again for being such a fun person to know, even in this limited

fashion. love, Fran

Re: [ ] Re: I am alive!

Hi Marti,

I can only speak about my own experiences in dealing with other people and

I

have got to say it has been very positive. Just about everyone I have

dealt

with in Scotland and in Ireland for that matter, have been very

sympathetic

and supportive. I think when I was working they could see that I was

still

trying to do my job without asking other people to do stuff for me, but

if anyone

saw me struggle to lift something or whatever, they would help and I was

never made to feel that I was a burden or anything.

Over here in the UK some people con the Government into paying them

benefits

for a supposed illness. My worry is that people who don't know me might

bracket me with those. Anyone who knows me knows that I worked in a

maintenance

environment for 16yrs despite this disease and I am constantly told that

DLA

is actually for people like me.

As for the group, I think considering what the group is about, we are

quite

a cheerful bunch. Granted when most people join they are usually far from

cheerful but if you were to look back on the introductory mail from most

of us

and then have a look at our recent mail, you would probably detect an

improvement in " mood "

Am I wrong? What do the rest of you think?

Take care,

.

[Guest guest]

Hi Marti,

I am not even sure that what I was saying would be accurate for my country.

I was just going on personal experience although having said that I would

think that it probably is an accurate portrayal.

Take care,

[Guest guest]

That's right Billie. I have heard of people (couples) who are claiming

benefits when there is nothing wrong with them and then you get cases like my

mother-in-law, when she was alive, applying for DLV and being refused. She died

less than two weeks later. I felt like going into their offices at the time

and saying, " Remember the woman that you said did not qualify for DLV?

Well................... "

Take care,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/28/04 11:18:36 AM GMT Daylight Time, mlw402@...

writes:

I know we can't generalize and there are great compassionate people

in all countries. I felt so badly for the lady in Japan where it is

considered impolite to speak of your troubles. Of course we have

some of that too...just maybe not as outrightly noted.

Hi again Marti,

I suppose subconsciously there is a bit of that here as well. When people

ask you how you are, they expect you to give the standard answer, " Fine " We

were talking about that a few months ago and I think I repeated a little joke I

heard. " Don't ask him how he is. He tells you the truth! "

Take care,