Oh i miss you all..such a delightful group even in pain life perplexities...we are not JUST MS but a range of lovely differences and alikes....We ALL wish this disease was erased along with the many others...Usually when Im away it is me...going thru the journey(sometimes under the covers..as you do know of)...I recently AGAIN have tried to adapt my "normal?" year skills talents abilities with the CAPABILITIES i may have in this each day NEW form. How NOT TO OVERDO on those glorious moments that is as good as it gets. How have YOU adapted your talents of remembering what you use to do before MS, any disability actually. Do you set time limits, prepare water etc for the day ahead...WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS?
You each have given so much to my life i would me a miss if i didnt send a HUGE...THANK YOU. that doesnt seem like alot but..virtual hugs on the way....jj
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jackiesj
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Lifting up a prayer for you-“new normal” things are rough sometimes. I grieve what I used to be able to do (mostly walk) and here’s one tip, not related to talents, but just life and adapting to this new normal.
Related to getting dressed, I have a folding chair that it set up next to my dresser. I sit there to put away clean laundry and to organize. I also have a small skinny 3 shelf bookshelf next to the dresser, cheap, like $20 on Amazon. It’s not for books. I choose my clothes and put them in the shelves. It’s an easy way to ask my hubby or my kids to get my work clothes on the top shelf or the jeans on the middle shelf so they know exactly where/what I am looking for. A whole outfit fits in the space so they don’t even need to grab socks from this drawer or a shirt from another, it’s all prepped and ready.
Hello, jackiesj . All that I can suggest is to do what you can and not to compare your efforts on what you once could accomplish. I have a tough time with that but I try to do as much as I can but cannot. One day at a time, one moment at a time. I feel like I did a lot when I can cross it off my to do list. One thing at a time. Keep Smiling and be gentle with yourself! 🤗
I'm pretty new to this, just 6 months, so I'm really winging it, 😅😂 But here are a few tips that I have found really helpful so far, for me.
I got a cheap folding stool for the bathroom for brushing my teeth and doing all that stuff at night. By night time, I don't have the energy to stand long enough to do all that, so the stool is awesome. It folds, but it takes too much to do, so I just leave it in the corner, it is not too big. I also use it to sit on to fix my hair, even when I have energy, anything to save some energy in the mornings! And I'll drape a towel over it to sit down and dry off after a shower.
I'll be getting another cheap stool for using in the kitchen. They are light, so easily moved, I didn't realize they would be tall enough for me to easily reach the counter, but I think it will work despite it seeming really short. And I'll use it to sit to prep and cook food. Ideally I'd like something taller for cooking (I am really short, like 5 feet tall even!), but that would be a lot more expensive and heavy, and this was like $25. Or less. Having it to clean counters and the pantry is also nice. Standing for too long wears me out.
I use a shower stool. I was reluctant to get one, I'm only in my 40's, but showers wear me out, so I got one. I guess it is kinda like my cane. I was reluctant to get one, but I now see it as a tool that helps me get things done and get around without falling. Plus, I found a snazzy cane that I really like and now I also see it as an accessory to what I'm wearing😂😊
I still haven't found a 'new normal' yet. I've heard people talk about finding it. So, I kinda take each day as it comes. But then I had an awful neurologist. I'm going to see an MS neurologist in September. Hopefully that will make a difference. 🧡
Glad to hear it. Wasn't sure if that was what you meant, or just general tips, but thought I would share just in case. They are just small things that make my everyday life a little bit easier, and I find that those things can actually be some of the most helpful for me. Being able to sit on the stool and do my night routine - especially brush my teeth! Has really helped. During those days I could not brush my teeth at night I was so very frustrated and sad. 🧡
And thanks! I've had the nickname of Flea in one form or another (usually with something cute or funny attached) as long as I can remember!! 😂
Just keep in mind that you can only do one thing at a time. Try different ways of doing things until you find a way that works for you. Most of all don't judge yourself against others, you are not them, you are the unique you that God made perfect in His eye.
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