Dear Doug:
I wish I had a solution for you. There are many very intelligent
people on
this list who might be able to give you some ideas. I certainly think you
are
heading in the right direction. Maybe you will find out what to do after
you
meet with these people. For now, I just want to "hold your hand" until
someone
on the list can contact you.
I am caregiver for my 66 year old husband. The best help I have
received
has been right here on this network.
Do you work for a large company with over 50 employees? Do they have
family leave (FMLA)? Do you have a disability policy? Do you have any
other
financial resources? If you could afford to limit your income for a few
months,
you could probably get on SS disability. I would document everything that
is
happening to you daily in regards to your PD symptoms and how it affect
your
work and home life. I hope I am at least giving you some reason to
continue
seeking help. It's not easy. You need a lost of support from family,
work, and
friends.
Laura Rogers in Texas.
Doug Brown wrote:
> I subscribed to this list looking for answers maybe to see
> if anyone else is dealing with the same issues as I am. I have
> been lurking for a while so if I may I would like to introduce
> myself. My name is Doug Brown, 42 years old "birthday today"
> I live in Wichita Kansas, marred to a wonderful loving lady Debby.
> I have 4 children and 3 grand children. I have been diagnosed
> with PD for 10 years. I am afraid and feel as though I am losing
> control. I may be losing my job because of my illness. I am a
> Computer Technician and have had several of my customers
> complain that they no longer feel confident in my ability to support
> them. One of them called and complained about my apparent DTs.
> My employer has told me to take 3 weeks medical leave to get things
> under control before I come back to work. I have been passing out
> "not good when you drive 1000 miles a week" get confused easily
> and forget important information. I have been freezing lately and have
> fell a few times. I have lost 30 pounds in the last month and seem to
> be in a deep depression. My children and my wife ask me why I am
> upset and when I say I'm not they say that I always look like I am mad
> or upset and that I never smile any more. I have talked with my Doc
> about this and have started taking anti-depressants and made appt to
> see mental heath consoler. Will see a new Neurologist next month but I
> am afraid that I may lose my job before I get things under control. How
> do I talk with my wife about this she is very supportive, but she seems
> to tune out when ever I talk about Parkinson's I feel as though she is
> afraid to face the fact that my PD has progressed to this point. We
> have talked in the past "years ago" and she has said we will cross
> that bridge when we come to it. Well I think we have reached that
> bridge but we are both afraid to set foot on it. Any suggestions,
> advise would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Doug
