Thanks for your e-mail, its always nice knowing we are not alone in this
world with this thing called TM.
After being diagnosed (finally) in 1992,I really don't know what I
would have done without my family and friends and even complete strangers
when I first became ill, I remember that my main goal while in rehab was to
get home so we could start to live our lives as a family. I learnt to drive
again and got my license back again before I even had my own chair so yes, I
was in a hurry to get out of there!
When Tyler was born we lived in a house that had a long steep driveway, I
couldn't get into the bathroom, and we had little steps everywhere so we
sold that house and while we waited to build our new home, lived with Rod's
mum & dad for 18 months (a challenge, yes, I think thats what we called it!)
anyway we finally got this house built and here we are. I don't have any
help around the house, if I can't do something Rod does it, and if there are
any coffee drinkers here when I need something done, well they also pay
their way!and when Ty was a baby he learnt to climb my chair before he could
crawl so he has actually always helped himself, if you can understand that!
I totally agree with you about this thing being a mind struggle as well,
especially when people ask what is wrong (aren't some so rude) and as TM is
not very common its hard to explain to the non-understanding, Tyler tells
anyone who asks now that his Mum got a bug (meaning virus) in her back and
it stopped my back from letting my legs move (and gets very defensive if
anyone wants to know more!)
I don't do any paid work (unfortunately, this thing called a wheelchair puts
employers off hiring you) but I do lots of volunteer work, I am whats
called a Staff Officer, for Meals on Wheels, making sure we have enough
deliverers and helpers every day to deliver meals and also have just
started a community access group to help our local council get a grip on
access in and around our town, the local paper has also given us column
space each month to keep everyone up to speed on how we are going.
Once you start you can't stop, anyway stay well, let me know if I can help
at
all.
Love Karyne
-----Original Message-----
From: chris bower <ckbower(AT)csrlink.net>
To: rktjenke(AT)cobweb.com.au <rktjenke(AT)cobweb.com.au>
Date: Tuesday, 4 May 1999 12:23:am
Subject: Thanks for your response
>Dear Karyne,
>
>I'm sorry to hear about this doing such damage to your life. I feel like I
>should be helping you rather than the other way around. It must have been
>hard for you to keep yourself together knowing you had to also take care of
>your baby. That seemed to be the only thing that helped me out of the
>hospital faster is knowing I had Keegan to take care of. I was so scared
>that I wouldn't be able to do it or that I would drop him or have a dizzy
>spell and black out. Do you have enough help at home? Do you work out of
>your home? When were you diagnosed with this?
>
>It's scary because I never heard of TM before and when the doctor comes in
>and starts telling you your immune system is attacking your spine you don't
>understand why or how?
>
>I hope with all the modern technology coming out and the regeneration of
>nerve cells that they are looking into that you will be able to walk again.
> I guess stranger things have happened in this world. You seem to have a
>good handle on things I guess I'm in the early stages. I have to be lucky
>that I am not worse off and maybe I can help other people. Once I get
>strong again I would like to go back to the rehab and help others the way
>they helped me there.
>
>If I can be of any help please let me know. I don't know too much right
>now, I can tell you i'ts about 90% mental
>but I am learning.
>
>
>Thanks again
>Take Care
>
>Kathy
>