Members
Age: 55
Location: United States, Texas, Dallas
Connection: No connection
Member since: 02/11/2008
Profile last updated: 02/17/2008
Current Status: Offline
Network: 2 Friends
My Favorite Sports: Biking, Billiards/Pool, Swimming, Weights/Machines, Yoga
Top 5 movies: Rush Hour 3, You, Me and Dupree, Gone with the Wind, Braveheart, Love Actual
Top 5 books: Bible, Law, How To, Check Book, Not much of a reader
Overview: I became disabled in 1997, I believe. It's been so long. It's my back. OUCH! I hate it too because I use to be so active and such a hard worker in the legal field. It's hard to adjust to living on social security disability, being limited on the activities I can do, the meds, the machine in my back, living alone, bla bla bla. But I have adjusted and after 10 years, have accepted that this is the way my life is going to be. I have one child, a daughter and two grandsons whom I never get to see. Thank God for friends. I'm a computer nerd and am currently looking for "work from home" jobs. I'd love to find a single man who is also looking for a single lady to share the rest of my life with. Someone who understands what it's like to have a bad back. But in spite of it all, I continue to try to keep a positive attitude, keep moving and keep my faith in God. My thoughts and prayers go out to others with disabilities.
Disability Type: Physical
Disability Name: Spinal Stenosis, DDD, Neuropathy, Radiculopathy, OA, Scoliosis
Disability Description: Chronic Pain!
Assistive Technology: Wheelchair - Manual, Cane, Shower Chair
Medications: too many
How has your disability changed your life...for better or worse?:
I hate it because I use to be so active and such a hard worker in the legal field. Now I'm divorced and living hand to mouth. It's hard to adjust to living on social security disability and with the cost of living so high, it makes it even harder just to survive. Do I buy my meds or do I buy food? It's nice that we get a cost of living increase on our social security disability check but I was extremely disappointed this year when all I got was about $23.00! How does the government expect us to live? What kind of cost of living increase is that? With the cost of gas sky high, rent increases, water bills and electric bills going up up and up, and the government calls it a cost of living increase? That's rediculous!. I paid my social security for 32 years! And to make things worse, I can't get food stamps or housing assistance because I get a little too much a month each month to qualify, yet there are people who are getting these benefits and they are very healthy and quite able to work. What's wrong with our system? I hate being limited on the activities I can do and can't do. I hate having to take a lot of medications that God knows what is doing to my body. I hate not being able to walk to my mailbox and back and have to use my wheelchair or drive. I hate having a machine in my back that constantly vibrates my body just to keep some of the pain away. I miss dancing. I'm trying not to be bitter about my circumstances because I always took very good care of my body and still this happens to me. I don't like not being able to sit in a chair for more than a few hours. I hate living alone with no family to help me if I need help; and not being able to find a man who understands what I am going thru. So no, I don't like what my disability has done to me at all. But I have adjusted and after all these years, I still deal with depression but have had no choice but to accept that this is the way my life is going to be. It gets to me sometimes , but I still try to stay positive. I pray and pray for a miracle and have strong faith in God and if I didn't have Him, I don't think I could handle it. Yet things could be so much worse and so I'm thankful for what I do have. I'm thankful that I get a social security check each month. I'm thankful that I can still take care of myself. I'm thankful that I haven't lost my mind and I'm thankful to know that there are other people like me who do understand what it's like.
How have you overcome obstacles?: Since I know my limitations, I am extremely careful about what I do on a daily basis. I sometimes push myself a little too hard, so when my body tells me I need to rest, I rest. I reject my disability and don't harp on it. Prayer helps me a lot because I believe God is the Great Physician. Yet my mind is still as sharp as ever and I can overcome my obstacles to be productive. My beloved poodles have helped me so much. They let me know when I've been laying in bed too long. LOL And they really cheer me up even at 5:30am when I'm extremely grumpy at them for waking me up. I really believe having a pet helps you mentally.
What is your most embarrassing moment?: When I decided to go to the mall around Christmas and I only had my cane. I started sweating, which is common, and then I couldn't stand and wanted to so badly. I didn't have my little fan nor a hanky to top things off. I knew I had to get home quickly but could bearly walk (sometimes I push myself too far) I had to go into the lady's dressing room to rest and to adjust my neurostimulator implant in my back and it beeps really loud. I can only imagine what the sales lady thought because when I finally did come out of the dressing room she gave me one of those looks. LOL
What is your most triumphant moment?:
That I left an abusive husband who beat me and drugged me. I refused to accept the fact that even though I'm disabled and in a wheelchair, I didn't have to stay with this awful man and take it anymore. Even after having to have 2 artificial hips. And thru the grace of God was able to leave him and live on my own no matter how hard it is, I'm free from him and the abuse and can live in peace.
What are your dreams...for yourself and your peers?: My dreams are to be totally healed and normal again. To be able to be a productive employee again and be able to work from my home. To be able to find the love of my life who can give me support and encouragement. I don't dream but pray that God will heal all of us thru His grace and mercy.
I'm looking for: Friends, Relationships, Business Partners
Height: 5'3" - 5'4" (159 cm - 163 cm)
Weight: 151 lbs - 160 lbs ( 69 Kg - 73 Kg)
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Religous Background: Christian
Languages: English
Overview:
I carry myself like a lady with respect and grace. My mannerisms are sweet and gentle, peaceful and easy going. I am a woman of great morals and faith in God; often putting others before myself. I am too honest for my own good; but a free spirit and an opened minded lady; not requiring much of others except respect and gentleness. My hair is highlighted.
I am a petite, very curvy, Italian who knows what she wants. I am confident in myself and have a great outlook on life. We Italians can really cook in the kitchen and I think it’s fun to kid around with your love and cook together. LOL
After sitting on the shelf for 3 yrs. after my divorce, I'm ready to date again and have some fun. I'm still looking. I enjoy the outdoors, biking, swimming, fishing (I can put a worm on a hook just as good as the next guy LOL). I really love the outdoors; going to the dog park with my 2 poodles, traveling, the theater and movies. I truly enjoy being in the country and out enjoying nature. If I had to choose my favorite place to be, it would be at the beach. I also write poetry and am somewhat of a romantic.
Educational Level: High School
Areas of Expertise: Estate Planning Law
Current Status: Seeking Positions, Freelance
Overview: I am presently interested in obtaining a "work from home" position due to my disability. I have a 32 year work history, primarily in the legal field. I began my legal career in 1978. I've worked in almost every area of law but my preference is in Estate Planning Law. I type at least 95wpm. I also consider myself an advanced user of the internet and computers. I have an extensive portfolio.
Loading image. Please wait
