Need some support for tomorrow

Hey Sue!

One thing I did find when I started using a cane going to and from work is that I garnered more respect! No teasing, no jokes but lots of polite people holding doors open for me and offering to carry my things. It was a bonus in some respects. Since we don't have a visible sign of our disease the cane acts as our 'badge' to let others know that what they see on the surface isn't always what is going on inside.

I think you will be very surprised how well you do on this trip. You will be the 'mom' of the bunch and with that comes instant respect. I went back to college when I was 40 and it was the best time I'd ever had in school. Most of the younger ones were in awe that I was there and treated me great. Oh, there are always a few idiots but as a grad student you probably won't get any goofballs. You will likely get some questions as to what's wrong so be prepared. What I did was just explain as simply as I could. I said I had a muscle disorder that caused me constant pain and made it hard to get around most days. That seemed to satisfy most everybody.

You Go Girl! I'm very proud of you, ya know?
Hugs and hugs,
Chutzie

Don't worry about the comments about the cane, if you need it use it..
Lots of soft hugz and you'll get through this, you got all of us
rooting for you............................................
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Sue))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
lots of hugz to spare!!!!

You'll do just fine Sue!!  Conferences can truly suck.. but sometimes they can be fun too.  Since this is a psych conference hopeful the people you'll be with will be more accepting and understanding.  If not... you can bonk 'em over the head with your cane The run them over with a wheelchair!!!  That's what I'd do!!!! heheheheh

Good luck and lots of supportive hugs!!!

I think I may be a day late, but I wanted to give you a show of support too.     Hang in there, hold your head high, and try not to be affected by the ignorance of the masses. 

 

If there is anything I've learned from fibro, it's to never judge a book by it's cover.  While I hope everyone learns this lesson eventually, I wouldn't wish that anyone would have to learn it the way we have. 

 

I agree with others about the cane.  Use it to help you walk if you need it AND use it as a head-bonker where appropriate. 

 

Hugs - Austen

Sue,

Yes, I have used a cane off and on over the years... the "walk and bonk" concept is ok by me

And don't get discouraged if you are not "Keeping up with" the others while they are walking. If they pull ahead it's fine.

I admire you for comitting to this conference. Conferences and traveling (especially flying because of the pressure changes) are two of the things I dread. Pace yourself when you get there.

And don't be afraid to tell them why you have the cane... wear it with honor.... If they have any true character themselves they will admire yours for doing what your doing!

Bootknife

im a freshman in college, and people tease me too all the time about how i must be going through menopause now!! since, i get hot and cold all the time.

don't worry about it. you're not alone. maybe try to make a joke out of it, or something. that might help.
if you're getting frustrated, maybe you can try to think of something funny that happened recently. that usually helps me to forgot about whatever was going on.

-Aliza

Hi everyone, Had a free minute between meetings etc to sneak over to starbucks and go online.

You were right! It is all good. When the first person asked me, I didn't know how to answer because I couldn't remember what you all said, so I just looked at her! But then I figured it out and just tell people I have a muscle disorder that makes it difficult to walk and stand for long periods of time and that I keep it pretty well hidden at work because I can rest there, but I cannot do conference without the cane. They all say ok and don't say anything else except ask a couple of times if I am ok if I am going really slow or something. later I told the woman that I just looked at that I didnt mean to be rude and this was new to me and the was the first person to ask and I didn't know how to answer! She was totally ok with it.

I did torment my poor bedmate last night with my sleep antics. I nearly hit her in the face. I felt awful about it this morning! She was alsleep when I left, so I left her a note! But, I did warn everyone. I told them about the time about a month ago about when I thought the sprinklers (which we don't have) were falling from the ceiling and I jumped out of bed and hid by the bed post trying to get away from them!!!

Thanks for the support. It would have been a lot scarier getting out the cane in front of them if it hadn't been for you. Nobody called me old! ha ha, even though I am 44 (not old) and 20 years older than most of my peers!

One funny thing: I overheard a young man talking at my college office - he is a senior in college. He said he saw a hecka old guy naked at the gym. The guy was hecka old! At least 30!!!!! ha ha.

Sue