Re: Relocating-Illinois

[Guest guest]

Hello

Was so pleased to read your post and happy for you.

I loved to hear of your travels. Life style changes  and location can make such

a difference can't they!  Finding ways and means to open doors on the world and

move and take up opportunties others take for granted. Great. Yes a rural

setting has its restrictions and can be isolating when less than healthy.

Of course I cannot offer any practical advice from this distance, but I do wish

you the very best with your endeavours. Hope others come up with some practical

advice for you.

Best wishes,

Chris

UK

From: stephanie <stephieann2@...>

Subject: [ ] Relocating-Illinois

RA-Support

Date: Wednesday, 1 October, 2008, 2:52 AM

I live in Southwest Michigan and am considering moving to outside of Chicago. 

I've been visiting there and because I cannot drive, find it very fulfilling and

helping me gain my independence back because I can take the bus, walk, take the

subway or a train! It's been amazing to have my independence back! My area is

very rural and there is no public transportation so I am stuck home all day all

of the time, and rarely ever have the opportunity to get out.  Any of you from

Illinois that know of any agencies that help disabled people? I would be looking

for low rent housing as well as a Rehabilitation Center as I am currently trying

to do the Ticket to Work Program that offers jobs that can be done from home.  I

thank you for your assistance or any information that you have.

[Guest guest]

Hi Chris!

Thanks so very much for your kind reply! I don't know what happened but I cannot

believe how AMAZING I am doing with the anxiety and the pain!! My doctor no

longer allows me to use that " agoraphobic " term as I have recovered and am

recovering from my symptoms.  The lables she says are very important to not use

to identify with myself and who I am.  It's amazing that I have been able to

take the train and taxis all around Chicago on my own and do just fine! I

started exercising a few weeks ago.  I started slowly doing an hour a day on my

treadmill broken up in 3 increments of 20 minutes.  I kept doing it daily.  I

had some really bad knee pain and inflammation at first but I kept pushing. 

Eventually, the knee pain and inflammation didn't happen every day.  Last week,

I pushed really hard and for the first time, walked 4 miles!! All at one time!

And doctors once told me I would never walk 100 steps without pain and I felt

amazing~ No pain!!! Today

I stayed on the treadmill 90 minutes and did 5 miles at one time! I have been

able to walk up to 9 miles a day (divided up in increments) for the past couple

of weeks! I don't skip a day, yet if I feel pain, I get off the treadmill and

rest! It's been really good for my mind and body!! And I can't believe how

healthy its made me feel!! I used to give my doctor a dirty look every time he

said exercise would help me feel better if I could just focus through the pain,

I think I finally found out what he meant and now just hope I can continue to

keep up with it!! Hope you are doing well!

STephanie

From: stephanie <stephieann2>

Subject: [ ] Relocating-Illinois

RA-Support@gro ups.com

Date: Wednesday, 1 October, 2008, 2:52 AM

I live in Southwest Michigan and am considering moving to outside of Chicago. 

I've been visiting there and because I cannot drive, find it very fulfilling and

helping me gain my independence back because I can take the bus, walk, take the

subway or a train! It's been amazing to have my independence back! My area is

very rural and there is no public transportation so I am stuck home all day all

of the time, and rarely ever have the opportunity to get out.  Any of you from

Illinois that know of any agencies that help disabled people? I would be looking

for low rent housing as well as a Rehabilitation Center as I am currently trying

to do the Ticket to Work Program that offers jobs that can be done from home.  I

thank you for your assistance or any information that you have.