Just joined

October 23, 2006

I just read the book The Curious Incident of the Upside Down Dog. It was by far one of the best fiction books I've ever read. The boy in the book has Aspergers.

E.

Colorado

Re: just joined

Hi Jenn,

Having lived a life of not fully conforming myself, I got a good laugh

out of your non-conformist thought. As serious as things are in life

when you have a neurological difference like AS/autism or know someone

who does, it can help so much to laugh about things and release tension.

Whether we are going through some struggles ourselves with having autism

or are a parent, family member, or friend of someone with autism, it

really in any of these cases helps so much to learn to laugh and smile.

I completely understand, however, how the guilt can be troubling you. I

imagine that my mother feels guilty about the fact that I have

Asperger's despite how I've managed to overcome some challenges since my

childhood. It's very tough because we struggle so much at times that I

know parents want to make it all better. When they can't they blame

themselves and feel guilty for the fact that we have autism. They know

in their heads that they didn't cause their child to have these

challenges and struggles, but they still feel responsible. I think here

is where it also helps to look at positive aspects of autism and focus

less on the negative. Many people with autism I know, both kids and

adults alike, are some of the kindest, gentlest, nicest people you'll

ever meet. We also tend to be honest, open-minded, free-spirited, and

thoughtful folks. Living with autism and raising children with it really

gives you a sense of compassion and deep understanding for differences

that all people have. You learn to embrace others' diversity and

specialness.

By the way, if you or anyone else might be interested, I wrote about

growing up and the challenges I faced in an article titled "Living with

Asperger's: One Man Tells His Story" for /The Record/ newspaper's

six-part special series on autism in NJ last month. The article is

available online at <http://urlcut.com/autismrecordstory>. The picture

is me chatting with Blaine, one of my grad student friends here at Penn

State. I heard that I was the talk of the town (so to speak) when the

story was published as a lot of family friends called about it.

- on, adult with Asperger's Syndrome

Ph.D. Candidate in Information Sciences & Technology

The College of Information Sciences & Technology

The Pennsylvania State University | University Park, PA 16802

(www.ist.psu.edu)

Pennsylvania Regional Director & Board Member

The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (www.autisticselfadvocacy.com)

Jenn Kraus wrote:

>

> ,

>

> Thanks so much for writing me and your right it is so comforting to

> talk to an adult on the spectrum especially when that person seems to

> have done EXTREMELY well for himself!

> Your words were exactly what I needed to hear.... and your right, I

> was getting wrapped up in 20 years from now and I really have to take

> a step back and get through each day with him. The hardest thing I

> think to overcome is the guilt... I know EVERYONE says it's no ones

> fault but still I can't help but feeling it... I tried for 5 years to

> get pregnant with him and when I finally did I had an extremely

> complicated pregnancy and he was delivered 5 weeks early with a true

> knot in his cord and was kept in the NICU for blood sugar issues among

> other things. I guess I feel like I pushed too hard... tempted fate

> too many times. I was mentally prepared for some sort of physical

> birth defect since they tend to run in my family but never in my life

> would I have expected this. As horrible as I know this is going to

> sound I have to say that my sister had a baby a few months ago with

> cleft lip and some days I almost wish that I could trade places with

> her because there is defined treatment for that and it over... but on

> other days I sit online and read about aspergers and think what's the

> problem? IQ isn't an issue here so really what he has been diagnosed

> with is being a non-conformist? I guess I really just have a lot to

> learn about this. I just hate the thought of my child having to

> struggle through life.

>

> I want to thank you again for sending me an e mail and I look forward

> to talking with you in the future.

>

> Thanks,

> Jenn

> The years that a woman subtracts form her age are not lost. They are

> added to other women's.

> ~ Diane de Poitiers

>

> * Re: just joined

>

> Hi Jenn,

>

> I'm a 26 year-old adult with Asperger's Syndrome studying in a Ph.D.

> program at Penn State. While I know it's not the same as a parent

> seeing

> her child receive a diagnosis of AS, I did go through a lot of why's,

> what's, and how's, similar to what you're experiencing now when I

> self-diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in 1999 during my freshman

> year

> in college. (I received a clinical diagnosis that confirmed my

> self-diagnosis in 2005.) I came to learn about having AS accidentally

> when I read a book about autism, "Mindblindness" by Simon

> Baren-Cohen,

> for an class called Minds and Machines. I had slipped through the

> cracks

> for many years without people recognizing AS, and I really started

> questioning why I hadn't found out earlier and why did I have it and

> where would I go from there and what did I need to do differently

> with

> my life now that I knew (and how would I do things differently), and

> what would people think of me if they knew I had autism, and

> hundreds of

> other doubts and confusions. It took me about a year or a year and a

> half before I started realizing that I really needed to read and

> learn a

> lot more about autism and meet other people out there on the

> spectrum.

> As the years have gone further by, I've come to accept and embrace

> who I

> am and acknowledge beyond just accepting having AS that I actively

> wanted to do what I could to help others out there. I found my

> calling,

> if you will, in speaking about my experiences to parent groups and

> conferences, participating in autism spectrum advocacy, and

> conducting

> research in assistive technologies for people with neurological and

> developmental disabilities (including autism spectrum disorders).

>

> I know that right now you probably feel like you're in a very scary

> place of uncertainty. It is a huge thing to learn suddenly that your

> child has an autism spectrum disorder; don't let anyone try to

> convince

> you otherwise. I'm not a parent, but I know a lot of parents of

> kids on

> the spectrum and I can at least try to imagine the many mixed

> emotions

> (guilt, frustration, confusion, wonder, sadness, relief, etc.)

> parents

> must experience as they go through the diagnostic process. I know

> that

> it's easy to say and hard to do sometimes, but I think it will help

> immensely to focus on the short-term. Look for what strides you

> can make

> right now and in bunches further down the line; if you give it

> your all

> and make your strongest effort to help with challenges he

> encounters at each interval (as you will no doubt do), the future

> will

> take care of itself. If you try to worry about the next 20 years,

> it can

> become considerably overwhelming because that's a huge amount of time

> and a lot of things can and will happen during that period of time. I

> know that anyone who tried to predict where I'd be as an adult when I

> was 9 ended up being quite wrong. They believed that I would never go

> onto college because of my social troubles; I'm currently a few years

> short of a doctoral degree. I think that it will also help to talk

> other

> parents whose kids were just recently diagnosed. Additionally, I know

> that many parents have told me in the past that it's also been very

> reassuring to talk to adults on the spectrum who faced obstacles and

> challenges as they've grown up but have nonetheless overcome them

> through high degrees of perseverance coupled with the right

> support from

> family, friends, and professionals. I struggled a lot at times

> growing

> up. I was bullied a great deal and faced huge challenges in making

> friends and fitting in. Yet, I turned out alright. I learned how to

> adapt and make friends as I matured.

>

> I did also want to let you (and the others) know that I'm helping to

> coordinate a new autism spectrum advocacy and support organization

> called the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN). We're working to

> establish mentoring and support services that will include launching

> social support groups, mentoring of kids and teens on the spectrum

> (potentially by adults on the spectrum), educational advocacy and

> consulting, and a speaker's bureau of adults on the spectrum

> speaking to

> businesses, schools, and organizations about their experiences living

> with an autism spectrum disorder.

> <http://www.autisticselfadvocacy.com

> <http://www.autisticselfadvocacy.com>>.

>

> Feel free to email me off list any time you like to chat about my

> experiences or your questions and concerns. The same also goes for

> any

> others who might be interested in talking to me sometime. Let me know

> also if you I could point you in the right direction for finding

> books

> and other resources.

>

> - on, adult with Asperger's Syndrome

>

> Ph.D. Candidate in Information Sciences & Technology

> The College of Information Sciences & Technology

> The Pennsylvania State University | University Park, PA 16802

> (www.ist.psu.edu)

>

> Pennsylvania Regional Director & Board Member

> The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (www.autisticselfadvocacy.com)

>

> Kraus wrote:

> >

> > Hello All,

> >

> > I just joined this group so I figured that I should introduce

> > myself. My name is Jenn and I am the mother of 4 beautiful

> > children, h 11, Karilin 9, 4, and Makayla 3. My son

> > as just been diagnosed with Asperger's and to say the least I

> > am in a million emotions about it right now. He is currently

> > undergoing a lot of testing which I guess is routine but I know that

> > none of those tests will tell me what I really want to know which is

> > why. Why him? Why me? What happened that caused this? Why did I

> > wait so long to seek help for a problem that I seen for more then 2

> > years now? Where do I go from here and how in the world do I

> > navigate a sea of information? I am even second guessing the

> > diagnoses which I have suspected for a long time and wasn't at all

> > surprised to hear.... but I guess it's normal. I don't even know

> > where to start with this... I am totally lost which is why I am

> > here. I am hoping that those of you who are going through this can

> > offer information and support.

> >

> > Thanks..

> > Jenn

> >

>

October 24, 2006

Jenn - The guilt or feeling like we are failing as parent's is probably common to most of us with kids on the spectrum! I know I felt it, but once I focused on how can I help my child be the best he can be, all of that disapeared. I started pushing for help when my son was 2 but did not get it until 4 through the school district. The early childhood education program in our city was excellent and we were able to get him good assistance. There will be many steps and changes but if you can try to get someone to help you to get some care plans in place it will be a big help for you. We found occupational and sensory integration therapys very helpful when our son was in the 4 - 7 range.

He is now in 4th grade and doing remarkable. I thank God everyday for sending me such a special child. He was hard in the beginning but he has so many wonderful gifts.

This group and others will be a big help as well. Each of our children is different but we can learn from the things that work for others and at least try.

Good luck!

LJ

October 28, 2006

..

I would love to hear more about this!

Thanks!

Jenn

Different topic: I have a list I can send you if you e-mail me that includes all the positives of this disorder. For example, many of these kids are very sensitive, are very honest and authentic (and isn't that hard to find in this world?), can form very strong and lasting attachments (as opposed to what the world thinks), have excellent attention to detail and notice things that we would never notice otherwise

The years that a woman subtracts form her age are not lost. They are added to other women's.~ Diane de Poitiers

Re: just joined

Jenn,You really aren't alone in terms of the late diagnosis: I didn't have my daughter tested until she was in first grade, alerted by a magazine article. If it hadn't been for that, the school might never have tested her, I'm convinced! Her kindergarten teacher had simply said, "well, we're all different! I was considered different, too."Anyway there are many treatments, and I recommend RDI for older, high functioning kids (others in this forum may have other recommendations). Different topic: I have a list I can send you if you e-mail me that includes all the positives of this disorder. For example, many of these kids are very sensitive, are very honest and authentic (and isn't that hard to find in this world?), can form very strong and lasting attachments (as opposed to what the world thinks), have excellent attention to detail and notice things that we would never notice otherwise (I'm convinced my daughter will be an excellent proofreader one day!)As far as I am concerned, my job is to help the world appreciate her and to hang in there helping her adjust to the world as well.-- M> Hello All,> > I just joined this group so I figured that I should introduce > myself. My name is Jenn and I am the mother of 4 beautiful > children, h 11, Karilin 9, 4, and Makayla 3. My son > as just been diagnosed with Asperger's and to say the least I > am in a million emotions about it right now. He is currently > undergoing a lot of testing which I guess is routine but I know that > none of those tests will tell me what I really want to know which is > why. Why him? Why me? What happened that caused this? Why did I > wait so long to seek help for a problem that I seen for more then 2 > years now? Where do I go from here and how in the world do I > navigate a sea of information? I am even second guessing the > diagnoses which I have suspected for a long time and wasn't at all > surprised to hear.... but I guess it's normal. I don't even know > where to start with this... I am totally lost which is why I am > here. I am hoping that those of you who are going through this can > offer information and support.> > Thanks..> Jenn> > > > > > > ---------------------------------> Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out.>

October 28, 2006

Thanks LJ,

I need to get in school but sadly he WILL NOT potty train, he can do it and has done it many times since he was 2 but never more then a few days. He just doesn't want to give them up... another issue that I am have BIG trouble with.

Science may have found a cure for most evils, but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all: the apathy of human beings.~ Helen Keller

Re: just joined

Jenn - The guilt or feeling like we are failing as parent's is probably common to most of us with kids on the spectrum! I know I felt it, but once I focused on how can I help my child be the best he can be, all of that disapeared. I started pushing for help when my son was 2 but did not get it until 4 through the school district. The early childhood education program in our city was excellent and we were able to get him good assistance. There will be many steps and changes but if you can try to get someone to help you to get some care plans in place it will be a big help for you. We found occupational and sensory integration therapys very helpful when our son was in the 4 - 7 range.

He is now in 4th grade and doing remarkable. I thank God everyday for sending me such a special child. He was hard in the beginning but he has so many wonderful gifts.

This group and others will be a big help as well. Each of our children is different but we can learn from the things that work for others and at least try.

Good luck!

LJ

November 1, 2006

Jen,

Sorry it has taken me some time to respond, my daughter has been sick

and I havent had a chance to do much. My son, Simon, is three. We

knew something was wrong a few months before he turned two. He was

not talking as much as I thought he should, losing words, etc and all

of the sudden he was very aggressive. He started doing everything

really early so the docter said he was fine, ran blood tests, had a

hearing test done, all the routine stuff. She said he was fine but

that maybe we should get some behaviour mod therapy. We were really

lucky and found someone wo was familiar with the Early Start

Programand recommended that they come out and evaluate him. No one

even thought he was autistic. Not myself, my husband, our therapist,

the assessment team. We did find that he had fine motor delays,

sensory issues and language problems. We are lucky that the

Superintendant of Schools here has an Infant Developement Program

that he attended from January of this year until August when he

turned three. We had a wonderful teacher (after several not so

wonderful, one who wanted to strap him to a chair because he was

hyperactive and wouldnt sit in a chair long enough, of course she

never got that opportunity I made sure of that). He is now in a Pre-K

class designed for children like him. It is through our

Superintendant of Schools. He is in a class with 7 other students

with one teacher, however there are 6 aides that are very well

trained. Simon is not potty trained but they are working on that at

school as well as at home. Does your are have a Regional Center? We

have one and they have been great in paying for things, facilitating

assessments, helping set up benefits. Check with your local school

district, it is federal law that they have to provide public

education appropriate for him. If they suck like many do and cant

provide appropriate education they have to pay for his schooling

either in a homebased program or at another facility designed for his

needs. Let me know if this helps, we are still figuring all of this

out and if I find out anything more I'll be sure to let you know. Ps

if you have his Dx make sure to apply for SSI it can help cover some

of the extra costs and some of the medical expenses.

Heidi

>

> Thanks Heidi, If you don't mind me asking, how old is your son?

How long did you suspect something was wrong before you got the

diagnoses? Is he in school?

> My son is not yet in preschool because I didn't think with the way

he acted (before I really knew why) that I could send him.... I can

only imagine what I would go through with the school but now his Doc

says that I should get him into school right away and I agree but I

don't know where to go... I know I have been dealing with the child

study team for my oldest child who has a " language based learning

disability " and they are a mess and they most certainly do not like

seeing me : ) I have made a nuisance of myself advocating for him. I

am afraid they will not know how to handle him. I really wish that

there was a school near me for this.

>

> The years that a woman subtracts form her age are not lost. They

are added to other women's.

> ~ Diane de Poitiers

>

November 3, 2006

HI, sorry about being a bit late reading some of these messages. I agree failure is a common feeling. Our schoool system has a pretty good eduacational system and works withg special needs in many differrent areas,however if u dont know about what is there or dont talk to the right people a parent could go through a terrible time. My daughters first grade exsperiance with the teacher she had Breaks my heart yet today just remembering,after that year she got into a program called kidship which lead to teenship and she is now a senior in high school. It is so hard for me to know jsut what is the right hting to do ot if i am working with her and dealing with her the right way.I am ADD myself and trying to keep a routeen is very hard for me to do. I have daugheters aging 21 down to age 2. My 6 year old hangs out alot with my aspie daughter and now i see some of the same behaviors, but is it just something she is picking

up from her or is she possibly aspie herself? adn how do i stop it if it is only a behavior copied? do i stop her from hanging out with her older sister? Do any of you have problems getting your husbands to understand aspergers? Jenn Kraus <JennK949702@...> wrote: Thanks LJ, I need to get in school but sadly he WILL NOT potty train, he

can do it and has done it many times since he was 2 but never more then a few days. He just doesn't want to give them up... another issue that I am have BIG trouble with. Science may have found a cure for most evils, but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all: the apathy of human beings.~ Helen Keller Re: just joined Jenn - The guilt or feeling like we are failing as parent's is probably common to most of us with kids on the spectrum! I know I felt it, but once I focused on how can I help my child be the best he can be, all of that disapeared. I started pushing for help when my son was 2 but did not get it until 4 through the school district. The early childhood education program in our city was excellent and we were able to get him good assistance. There will be many steps and changes but if you can try to get someone to help you to get some care plans in place it will be a big help for you. We found occupational and sensory integration therapys very helpful when our son was in the 4 - 7 range. He

is now in 4th grade and doing remarkable. I thank God everyday for sending me such a special child. He was hard in the beginning but he has so many wonderful gifts. This group and others will be a big help as well. Each of our children is different but we can learn from the things that work for others and at least try. Good luck! LJ

We have the perfect Group for you. Check out the handy changes to .

November 3, 2006

HI, sorry about being a bit late reading some of these messages. I agree failure is a common feeling. Our schoool system has a pretty good eduacational system and works withg special needs in many differrent areas,however if u dont know about what is there or dont talk to the right people a parent could go through a terrible time. My daughters first grade exsperiance with the teacher she had Breaks my heart yet today just remembering,after that year she got into a program called kidship which lead to teenship and she is now a senior in high school. It is so hard for me to know jsut what is the right hting to do ot if i am working with her and dealing with her the right way.I am ADD myself and trying to keep a routeen is very hard for me to do. I have daugheters aging 21 down to age 2. My 6 year old hangs out alot with my aspie daughter and now i see some of the same behaviors, but is it just something she is picking

up from her or is she possibly aspie herself? adn how do i stop it if it is only a behavior copied? do i stop her from hanging out with her older sister? Do any of you have problems getting your husbands to understand aspergers? Jenn Kraus <JennK949702@...> wrote: Thanks LJ, I need to get in school but sadly he WILL NOT potty train, he

can do it and has done it many times since he was 2 but never more then a few days. He just doesn't want to give them up... another issue that I am have BIG trouble with. Science may have found a cure for most evils, but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all: the apathy of human beings.~ Helen Keller Re: just joined Jenn - The guilt or feeling like we are failing as parent's is probably common to most of us with kids on the spectrum! I know I felt it, but once I focused on how can I help my child be the best he can be, all of that disapeared. I started pushing for help when my son was 2 but did not get it until 4 through the school district. The early childhood education program in our city was excellent and we were able to get him good assistance. There will be many steps and changes but if you can try to get someone to help you to get some care plans in place it will be a big help for you. We found occupational and sensory integration therapys very helpful when our son was in the 4 - 7 range. He

is now in 4th grade and doing remarkable. I thank God everyday for sending me such a special child. He was hard in the beginning but he has so many wonderful gifts. This group and others will be a big help as well. Each of our children is different but we can learn from the things that work for others and at least try. Good luck! LJ

We have the perfect Group for you. Check out the handy changes to .

November 6, 2006

Hello, I just went through this with my 13 yr old Aspie and my 6 yr old. Was not sure if he was "copying" behaviors picked up from her or had issues of his own. Ended up taking him in to her psych and he was diagnosed PDD nos. He has much better social skills than she does but is VERY much like her otherwise in many respects. I guess I tortured myself with wondering and worrying and then just decided to take him in and see what a professional had to say before I stressed myself out completely. I would recommend that if you have the ability to do so, you do something similar. It didn't make things go away but I knew that I was not crazy and he was not copying her so I found it easier to deal with his behaviors as an individual directly without all the other things getting in the way. It was not what I wanted to hear but it made me feel better if that makes sense. At least I had an answer and so I know how to approach it. Good luck

and God bless! DeeDee mom of Aslynne 16 nt, Elissa 13 AS, ADHD, ODD, and bi-polar and Tynan 6 (almost 7 ) PDD nosDon Sam <ladiodessa@...> wrote: HI, sorry about being a bit late reading some of these messages. I agree failure is a common feeling. Our schoool system has a pretty good eduacational system and works withg special needs in many differrent

areas,however if u dont know about what is there or dont talk to the right people a parent could go through a terrible time. My daughters first grade exsperiance with the teacher she had Breaks my heart yet today just remembering,after that year she got into a program called kidship which lead to teenship and she is now a senior in high school. It is so hard for me to know jsut what is the right hting to do ot if i am working with her and dealing with her the right way.I am ADD myself and trying to keep a routeen is very hard for me to do. I have daugheters aging 21 down to age 2. My 6 year old hangs out alot with my aspie daughter and now i see some of the same behaviors, but is it just something she is picking up from her or is she possibly aspie herself? adn how do i stop it if it is only a behavior copied? do i stop her from hanging out with her older sister? Do any of you have problems getting your

husbands to understand aspergers? Jenn Kraus <JennK949702comcast (DOT) net> wrote: Thanks LJ, I need to get in school but sadly he WILL NOT potty train, he can do it and has done it many times since he was 2 but never more then a few days. He just doesn't want to give them up... another issue that I am have BIG trouble with. Science may have found a cure for most evils, but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all: the apathy of human beings.~ Helen Keller Re: just joined Jenn - The guilt or feeling like we are failing as parent's is probably common to most of us with kids on the spectrum! I know I felt it, but once I focused on how can I help my child be the best he can be, all of that disapeared. I started pushing for help when my son was 2 but did

not get it until 4 through the school district. The early childhood education program in our city was excellent and we were able to get him good assistance. There will be many steps and changes but if you can try to get someone to help you to get some care plans in place it will be a big help for you. We found occupational and sensory integration therapys very helpful when our son was in the 4 - 7 range. He is now in 4th grade and doing remarkable. I thank God everyday for sending me such a special child. He was hard in the beginning but he has so many wonderful gifts. This group and others will be a big help as well. Each of our children is different but we can learn from the things that work for others and at least try. Good luck! LJ We have the perfect Group for you. Check out the handy changes to .

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November 9, 2006

Welcome Amaline to the wonderful world of sprouting. Fortunately, the

seeds are very forgiving and make up for our ignorance. Lots of info

available here and the website. The easiest and quickest to sprout for

me are the lentils. The clovers are yummy and it get more exciting and

tasty from there. Have fun! Diane

amalineb@... wrote:

>Hello,

>

>I just joined the group... I live in a San Francisco apartment with no yard and

would like to see if my thumbs are green by growing sprouts for myself and

friends. I am really dumb about sprouts but hope to learn a lot from the groups

discussions.

>

>Thanks for this opportunity.

>

>Amaline : )

>

July 22, 2007

In a message dated 22/07/2007 16:09:07 GMT Standard Time, mingbop@...

writes:

Hi, I'm in Scotland, had ME for 5 years.

*********Hi

Im in Birmiingham UK. Ive had CFS for 16 years but well on the way to

recovery - its taken me over 27 months and Im guessing I should be back to

100% by

the 3 year mark!!!!

Regards

CS

July 22, 2007

In a message dated 22/07/2007 16:20:51 GMT Standard Time, bhammanuk@...

writes:

Im in Birmiingham UK. Ive had CFS for 16 years but well on the way to

recovery -

***************

so I've got another 11 years of this ? Terrific ! lol

July 22, 2007

In a message dated 22/07/2007 16:38:31 GMT Standard Time, mingbop@...

writes:

Im in Birmiingham UK. Ive had CFS for 16 years but well on the way to

recovery -

***************

so I've got another 11 years of this ? Terrific ! lol

*****If you start to address your issues, its possible to reverse your CFS.

I didnt know what I had for 16 years until a speciailst diagnosed me and

then i implemented a regime to REVERSE the process. 27 months to be well on

the

way to REVERSE it doesnt seem quite that bad.

Regards

CS

July 22, 2007

well CS, is it that easy and that simple ? I don't know if I could

anyway... I feel like a very old, very tired, slug !

November 3, 2008

sorry not to have written sooner, Mike (and others). I was in a 'down' mood, and just reading all the posts.

I am so very sorry that you were injured while working in such a special occupation with the very needy patients. Life so often is NOT fair!!

and too often medical treatments that one finally obtains after too much trouble and/or expense, still doesn't work. How disheartening that must be.

and to be in constant severe pain, as several others on the list, also are -- I can't imagine that.

so sorry also to hear that there are resulting complications in your marriage.

With all the changes that must happen in such a situation, I suppose inevitable, at least to some degree.

But I guess there has to be some grieving for the loss of what one expected.

Hopefully a good new way for full life will come to be for you -- and for all of us!!

Jean

From: Mike

Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 11:05 AM

Subject: Just joined

Hello I am mike I just joined. I worked with Adults who hsve autism/mental illness on 9/9/99 a male patient ran his head into my back I was sent to hospital was told I have 2 bad disc l-4 l-5 and my spinal cord was compressed they did suregey uncompress spinal cord and then removed both disc Anterior lumber fusions After surgery I wasnt the same nerve pain in back down left leg it never left I then had a Spinal cord Stimulator put in that helped reduced the nerve pain I have a pain management doctor I am on pain medicine 2 years ago I was dx with epilepsy I am on Total Disabilty workers comp and ssdi This has caused marriage trouble my wife workers fulltime now me being disabled caused me not to be able to help much. Well its nice to meet you all Mike

November 3, 2008