82 and counting

[robo1]

I recently had my 82nd birthday, I used to think that I would be lucky to see 70! In a strange way I have to thank Ataxia for living so long. I used to run a small business, working 24/7 and I thought I was heading for an early grave and then, at 58, I was diagnosed with Ataxia. As I employed my daughter and her husband they gradually took over the running of the business as my Ataxia got worse until I retired at 65, something I never expected to do.

So here I am at 82, in a wheelchair full time, can hardly speak and no longer drive but, hey, I'm alive!! Most of my friends have passed away, mainly due to cancer but Ataxia does not appear to be life threatening so my next goal is 85.

[SamGH]

Thanks for sharing your story. Ataxia certainly gives perspective on how important work is

[Farooqji]

My Prayers are with you

[wildstyler]

Good attitude,

Well done.

[Happyfacexx]

Thank you robo! 82 and still inspiring others 🌞🌻⭐️

[Sharontower]

Sounds like our family’s situation but my husband was only diagnosed @60 and is now 64. Using a wheelchair more often now. Business had to close down.

[glenandgerry]

Sounds like our family's situation too, but my husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's 13 years ago at the age of 51. Had to sell the business 3 years ago as it became too much for him. He's also using a wheelchair more often now. Unfortunately he's presently in a lot of pain emanating from his back, traveling through his hip, down his leg & culminating in a very painful ankle and foot 😢

[robo1 in reply to glenandgerry]

Fortunately I'm currently pain free' I had a bad fall about 4 years ago and fractured my back, since then I have been in a wheelchair full time. One advantage is that you cannot fall out of a wheelchair, but not yet anyway!!

[TonySCA3]

82 Bob...you don't look a day over 70! Belated congratulations and well done.

I'm a mere 64 in comparison but I too was caught up in the 24/7 working when I was 60....even though I didn't run my own business. Definitely would have been the end of me if I'd carried on. All the stress and lack of sleep was without doubt making my Ataxia symptoms much, much worse.

I made the decision to go part time for a couple of years and eventually stopped working last July. It was difficult to make that break (personally and financially) and I miss the daily contact with my work colleagues. I'm still adjusting to an increasing number of challenges but while I've still got my mobility, albeit slowly deteriorating, I'm determined to do as much as I can before Ataxia makes it impossible (or my Prostate Cancer catches up with me!).

Cheers Bob, keep it going and hope to see you at the next quarterly meeting.

All the best.

Tony