BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Disabilities Disabled or not disabled

In 1990, I herniated A N D ruptured L4, L5 when I gave birth to my first child. OUCH
Then, 1993 I had back surgery. Which, by this time, I had nerve damage. Then, in 1995, I sneezed and low and behold I herniated yet another disc under L4,L5 !

Well, I am toying with the idea of applying for disability privleges, but my pride keeps me from applying. BUT.....I sometimes can't drive and can't walk without the add of a cane or a motorized cart (like in grocery stores).

What's a person to do?
Grin and bear it.....or swallow my pride and apply for disability privleges??

Time will tell

KELLI <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Do you mean for parking your car or SSI?

If parking your car I'd really encourage you to do it. You can get a removeable card to put on your windshield. That way if you need it you have it. My mom has breathing problems and is on O2. She hardly ever uses the handicapped spaces, but it's good to know she can if it's very cold or she's having more problems.

Good luck to you.

oh i am so sorry that you are going through this. i know just how you feel. i was in a car accident 5 years ago and was rear ended. the result was permanent damage to my spine. i blew out the L5-S1 disk, and had that fused 9 months after the accident. that fusion failed and had to have it refused 2 years later, with the result of permanet nerve damage. L-4,L-5 was also damaged and is now ready to rupture. i think you should get the disabled parking permits and also,if you qualify for disablitly , then sign up for it. you didn't ask that this happen to you and it is nothing to be ashamed about. don't put yourself in a position, that by limiting yourself because of your pride. i know, i was there, but i finally decided that if i had to live with this horrible pain, than dang it i was going to use whatever it takes to make my life better. hugs to you, if ya need a ear, e-mail me!!!!! merwyn

hi kelly, hey i found something interesting out yesterday. a friend told me about acupressure. not to be confused with acupuncture. all you have to do is find the trigger point, which on me is down oh about 2 inches from my back, and then use your fingers, with fingernails pointing in, and press until that nerve releases the pain. but don't do it more often than once every 5 hours cause it will overstimulate the nerve and cause more problems. i was sceptical myself, but tried it last night and oh the sweet relief of it, granted it didn't last, but hey a few hours is better than nothing!!!!!! hope your doing alright and keep your chin up kiddo, life can be hard, but there are people who care. HUGS, merwyn