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tomg

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West and wewaxsation at
wast. What I crave.

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HowellNJ, USA, usa, 499, 119, NJ, New_Jersey
Gender: male

Can you work? & can you drive?
Apr 30^th, 2005 at 10:19am

   Hi all my fellow moyamoyaers, I'm in a delema and I could really use some feedback.
   Just a quick history. I had a major stroke 3+ years ago that I have mostely recovered from. Thank God I was left only with a slight limp and the worst part is loss of my left side peripheral vision (called a left field cut. No I have not had surgery because 2 of the best moyamoya doctors in the country reviewed my angios, (i've had 4) and agree that my blood flow is very good and I'm asynptomatic, so at this point there is nothing that surgery would improve.
   My problem is that after 3 minor accidents due to my vision problem, I have voluntarally stopped driving before something really bad happens.
   I am a special education teacher and I actually worked for 2 years after my stroke.
   I did a good job but for various reasons I was not re-hired.
   In the last 6 months I've been on 7-8 interviews that all went well but the job didn't come my way Sad

. I think that when they realize what my condition is, I'm looked at as a risk and a potentially expensive employee.

So here I am, out of work and going nuts sitting home because I can't drive, trying to keep busy with menial tasks. I've applied for disability but that takes 5 months for a decision. The money will help but I'm still stuck in the house bored and lonely.
I'm only 49 which I feel is much too young to be put out to pasture.

Any suggestions, anyone going through a similar problem?

Thanks for any reply, Tom G.

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janicetedd

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Sister - Patty w mm

Posts: 221
Waterford, MI
Gender: female

Re: Can you work? & can you drive?
Reply #1 - Apr 30^th, 2005 at 12:20pm

Tom,

You sure are in a dilema. I have no answers. My sister (45) has caretakers 16 hours a day. She has a great mind. She also wants to be more useful.

We are always searching for ways for her to be useful --she has a great attitude and sense of humor. Give her a little vino and be prepared to laugh.

I wish that I could think of something.

I will keep trying.

Janice

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Mar

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Re: Can you work? & can you drive?
Reply #2 - Apr 30^th, 2005 at 3:03pm

Here’s what I think Tom, for what’s it’s worth… I believe everything happens for a reason, and every person has a purpose and a road they must travel for reasons that we may not understand, but you being a Special Ed teacher, I believe is a gift in of itself, so I’m sure you’ve fulfilled a great part of your purpose, but now you have a new purpose or road to travel. I just hope and pray that you’re happy as you travel it.

I don’t work full time myself because of health issues, and I find volunteer work very rewarding, perhaps you could share your faith at your church with children. You’d be excellent with that, or perhaps a volunteer at a local hospital, there’s so much you could do, especially with you being knowledgeable medically about mm and you being supportive here and going through what you have. Just a few suggestions, but both should help you with transportation, I would think, especially if you speak with your priest about it. I could go on & on, I hope you know what I mean. I find what I’m trying to say, said eloquently in Isaiah 32:8 “The noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands” You would never be lonely or bored Tom!

As far as work goes, without transportation it must be difficult to find a job. Maybe worth mentioning though, I have a friend who had a stroke and lost his job at the steel mill here, but he recovered very well, and now he does low level security work, unarmed of course. He loves it. Smiley

Anyways… don’t give up, and remember, you’re never alone.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mar

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debs

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Delafield, USA, usa, 358, 107, WI, Wisconsin
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Re: Can you work? & can you drive?
Reply #3 - Apr 30^th, 2005 at 3:44pm

Tom,

I'm sorry that you're going thru so much turmoil after your stroke & losing your job and ability to drive safely. My major stroke was when I just turned 46 & haven't gone back to work since (I'm now 53); I am able to drive (no visual probs.) but choose only to drive on backroads during the middle of the day (9-2), no freeway driving because of right sided weakness & drive a little slower than most freeway drivers (70 vs. 80+). I was a school counselor for 15 years & it broke my heart that I wasn't able (my choice) to go back because my work site was 35 miles away, mainly freeway driving & I didn't ever feel that my aphasia would be up to par with where I wanted to be as a professional, helping children. I was lucky that I did get disability from my job & soc. security after @ 3 years of trying, even tho at first I didn't believe that I wanted it ( I'm kind of stubborn & didn't want someone telling me that I could now take a job at Walmart catching people stealing things on video cameras~~ I didn't even qualify for that because I still needed a nap in the afternoon!!! How degrading!!) Anyhow, I understand your frustration of not having enough to do when you want to teach again. It took me several years to get to the point I am now ( my mantra: patience is the essence of all things)~~ I knew when I told them I wasn't coming back that I probably would never work again. Now I belong to a health club, work out 3 X a week & still have my kids still living with me; it's enough to keep me busy with a house to upkeep too. I was going to volunteer at the hospital in the stroke area but I have had lots of probs. with my heart so that was put on the back burner. Do you have any support groups where you live? I found that the mid life stroke club was very helpful to me~~ you don't feel quite so alone then. I found others who were only in their 20s & 30s who had major strokes thru my local club as well as pertinent, helpful info. for surviving & gaining positive strength. Just to let you know, if you apply for Soc.Security, they turn almost everyone down at least 2 X; I finally got it on the 3rd try so don't give up..

Good luck on your job search; maybe someone at job service could give you some pointers on applying for a job with a slight handicap. Maybe if you go on disability or SS, you wouldn't be too expensive if you didn't need health insurance (thru SS) Volunteering in a hospital might open some doors for you with your special ed teaching certification. Just a couple of ideas. ~~deb

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alamo7300

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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

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San Antonio, USA, TX, Texas
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Re: Can you work? & can you drive?
Reply #4 - May 1^st, 2005 at 12:11pm

Tom, You had emailed me, but I had only just seen your post. We have so much more in common than I realized. I was laid off fom my job after my last stroke which left me with no left peripheral vision. Losing my job was not related to my stroke which happened while I was away for 2 weeks on vacation and the lay off decision was made while I was away. I was out of work for almost 2 years. The timing of it all was the worst. I lost my job a month before 9/11, and I'm in the computer field. Along with being diagnose with depression and also cateracts, I did not drive for 10 months I applyed and eventually got SSDI, because my STD and LTD from work was terminated due to the layoff. I have to run now, but will be happy to talk about this more.

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kalise

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my son lives with moyamoya.

Posts: 36
westernaustralia, Australia, australia, 21, 203, WA, Western_Australia
Gender: female

Re: Can you work? & can you drive?
Reply #5 - May 4^th, 2005 at 2:57am

Tom, Im unsure of how things work over there, but in Australia, we have employment agencies, that help people find jobs, regardless of disability. I believe for the most part, no matter what the disability, there is something out there for everyone. I know at many of our supermarkets, foodchains, and even petrol stations, there are people working with disabilities, it is not uncommon to see a person with downsyndrome working at my local supermarket, and pumping petrol for people.

If moyamoya is the reason u are not getting accepted for job vacancies, i think its disgusting, not to mention prejudiced at the highest degree. I hope u find something soon Tom.
Best wishes always, Kalise

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Dane

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Newcastle, Australia, australia, 320, 248, NSW, New_South_Wales
Gender: male

Re: Can you work? & can you drive?
Reply #6 - May 4^th, 2005 at 4:31am

Sorry I am new to the site and noticed Kalise had replied to Tom. We also live in Australia I had emailed Kalise last week as we have just had our Dane 11 years diagnosed with MM. He is also DS. I was hoping Kalise may be able to provide me with some information about any pediatric neurosurgeons in Australia with some experience with MM.
Hope you read this Kalise and let me know.Should anyone else know we would be grateful to know.

Peter & Deb

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yoki New Poster Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 19 houston, USA, usa, 293, 288, TX, Texas Gender:	Re: Can you work? & can you drive? Reply #7 - May 4^th, 2005 at 6:13pm Try metro lift. I live in houston,tx and we have metro lift that will give a ride anywhere you want to go for free. There are also support groups out there for people who have had a stroke. Don't give up and I will keep you in my prayers.
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tomg

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West and wewaxsation at
wast. What I crave.

Posts: 216
HowellNJ, USA, usa, 499, 119, NJ, New_Jersey
Gender: male

Re: Can you work? & can you drive?
Reply #8 - May 5^th, 2005 at 8:55am

   Thank you all so much for your thoughts prayers and suggestions. This is a true example of what support is and what this great site is all about.
   Mar, your reply was especially beautiful. We share many of the same beliefs but it's still tough carrying our cross.
   I think we had our differences in the past and that's exactly where they should stay.
   By the way give my best to Lisa H, She was my first friend from this site and I'm so happy that her new surgery went well.
   Tom ; Grin

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Greg-NJ1

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Mis-diagnosed with MM
in 2005, arterial restricion

Posts: 248
Teaneck, NJ
Gender: male

Re: Can you work? & can you drive?
Reply #9 - May 14^th, 2005 at 11:50am

Tom,

Based on the area code, I am assuming that you are somewhere along the shore area. I've got a lot of friends and co-workers who live and work along the NJ shore (mostly Brick to Lakewood). What type of work are you looking for, and I'll keep my eyes and ears open for any type of lead.

Unfortunately, the weekend is busy with family. If its ok, I'll probably give you a call either Monday or Tuesday.

Keep the sunny side up,
Greg

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I was misdiagnosed with MM in March of 2005. In January 2006, I was told it is not MM, but rather a massive restriction in the MC1 segment of my left carotid artery.

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tomg Experienced Poster Offline West and wewaxsation at wast. What I crave. Posts: 216 HowellNJ, USA, usa, 499, 119, NJ, New_Jersey Gender:	Re: Can you work? & can you drive? Reply #10 - May 15^th, 2005 at 11:11am Thanks Greg for the offer of help. Once again, thst's what we're all about here. The work I'm looking fore would be something non phisical with normal hours. Talk to you soon. Tom
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PatM

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Woodcliff Lake, USA, usa, 498, 109, NJ, New_Jersey
Gender: female

Re: Can you work? & can you drive?
Reply #11 - May 18^th, 2005 at 6:53pm

Hi Tom-----sorry I couldn't talk when you called last week-----I read your post and I know how unhappy and stressed you must feel about being unable to drive and unable to find work---I'm sure it is very frustrating.....I believe that Mar's quote was quite appropriate and was very beautiful........Do not let your heart be troubled....
I will call you very soon.......Prayers and only the best wishes for you.....Pat Kiss

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"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."...Jackie Robinson&&Worry looks around....Faith looks up......

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