Are you disabled? If so, how are you handling it?

2015-12-01T10:16:00-05:00

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Dec 1 at 2015 10:19 AM

2015-12-01T10:19:10-05:00

I have a mental/emotional disorder. I handle it the best I can; with the help of a support team at the VA, a psychiatrist at the VA, a private psychiatrist and psychotropic medications.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 1 at 2015 10:31 AM

2015-12-01T10:31:12-05:00

I take my disabilities and life in general one day at a time SPC Margaret Higgins.
I ask God waht I should do each day and who and waht I should pray for .
I have learned over time what I should not do. I asked orthopedic surgeons what I should not do but they could not be definitive/ I have learned that if I want to lift, push of pull anything it should be no more than 50 pounds and I need to keep my elbows locked to my side. If my arms are away from my side it puts a strain on my lower back stenosis, etc.
We learned the basics of adjusting direct and indirect fire in the military and now I am learning to adjust my behavior based on conditions.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 1 at 2015 10:39 AM

2015-12-01T10:39:27-05:00

My so-called disability if rather minor and doesn't limit me in any serious way. But, your question reminded me of something that happened a while back. I was waiting for my Grandson to get out of school and a guy about 30 with a prosthetic leg walked up from a distant parking area. I reminded him that there was handicap Parking available right by the door. His response was, "Who is handicapped?". He got my immediate respect for the attitude.

Response by SGT Christina Wilder made Dec 1 at 2015 10:54 AM

2015-12-01T10:54:06-05:00

One day at a time. Positive attitude. Keep myself as busy as I can.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Dec 3 at 2015 7:01 PM

2015-12-03T19:01:17-05:00

On 1 April 2011 my life was changed forever when I had a hemhoragic Stroke. It affected my entire left side, and damn near cancelled all my future birthdays. For the past (almost) 5 years I've been fighting to get as much independence as I can, but Ive learned there is always going to have be some comprise involved between adjusting to compensate for things you can't do and pushing to improve your mobility and recover more.
I have recovered a lot as to where I was but unless there is some miraculous event I will probably never physically be the man I was. I have accepted I will never be able to live independently again.
How do I deal with it? I keep on top of managing my health care first of all. I take my medications, see both my VA and medicare assigned physicians as well as a mental health specialists, physical therapists and pain management doctor.
I am pretty much a home body, but I make it a point to take a ride around town, grab a starbucks, cruise the park and look at the older nieghbor victorian houses at least 2-3 times a week.
I do a lot of reading and research on the internet and participate in forums ( mostly military related) I help admin a facebook page that adresses the issue of foriegn scammers who pose as deployed US servicemen to convince victims to send them money. I dont watch a lot of TV but have some shows I watch religiously. (Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead) . I have one main vice,, that is playing the online game "World of Tanks" for a few hours every day. I have also written a blog about my stroke, I don't update it llike I used to but eventually I would like to put it into a pamphlet to hand out to new stroke victims. http://shottothedome.dinstudio.com/diary_1_148.html

Recommiting -

Being a Stroke survivor means you go through cycles of recovery, gaining and then lapses of depression, or simply apathy. I recently have set dow...