Hi Jeremy,
I've needed help with ADLs all my life, so I'm sure it's easier for me to
adapt to needing more help as I age, than someone who has needed little or
no help for much of life. Though I miss the things I once could do (like
getting myself to bed at night) I find that every time I live within my
limitations and get more help, my life improves. Its paradoxical - when I
have adequate help, my disability is less restrictive and I gain
independence.
To get philosophical on y'all, I think of it as honoring my body/my life.
Society says lots about how lousy it must be to have a body that doesn't
work and to need physical help to get through the day. I certainly wouldn't
mind being able to get through the day on my own, but the way I live is
really just fine! This is my life, and I might as well respect my body (with
its limitations) and live my life to the fullest.
Pam
p.s. I've gotten to know some great people, whom I never would have known,
because I need assistants. I've hired lots of students, some who have become
doctors and lawyers and university professors; some world travelers; a
documentary film maker; artists; computer geeks; and one or two body
piercer/tattoo artists (they were actually sweet, reliable people). Having
these people around can add some spice to life.
> Hi,
>
> I am Jeremy, a 29 year old New Zealander with CP. I have been a lurker on
this list for a long
> time, and a very occasional poster. The list has been a fantastic place
to see how different
> people live with CP, and to realise that my experiences with it are not
unique.
>
> I studied computing after leaving school, and since graduating have worked
at a couple of software
> development companies. Work has enabled me to save up and build a house
which I have lived in for
> nearly two years now. Leaving my parents was probably one of the scariest
things I did, but it is
> also one of the best things I did. I am independent as far as personal
care goes, and get 1.5
> hours a day help to do the cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc.
>
> Like a lot of people on the list I have noticed a gradual deterioration in
my abilities as I get
> older. It is just little things, less energy, less coordination, things
take longer, aching joints
> and more spasms. So far, I have been able to adapt and cover for these
things, and I am fortunate
> to have a very accommodating employer who lets me work at home a lot.
>
> However, taking 3-4 hours and a truck load of energy just to get ready for
work in the morning is
> starting to become a problem (-: I have showered and dressed myself since
I was 11 or 12, and I am
> having trouble coming to terms with the fact that I really need help with
this now. Being stubborn
> and pig-headed doesn't help when it comes to accepting more help either!
>
> I realise that it is going to happen one day, and life will probably be a
lot easier once I do get
> some help in the morning. I won't be so damn tired and might have the
energy for a social life
> again for a start! The sensible bits (not to mention family and friends)
say I should have asked
> for more help a long time ago, other bits say wait until I break something
getting in the shower.
>
> How have other people dealt with needing personal care?
>
> I know it is going to happen soon. I just thought that talking to some
other people about it would
> help me along the way,
> Thanks for listening,
>
> Jeremy
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Jeremy Persen, Nelson, New Zealand
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
>
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