My outlook:

I am treating me, as me....and I don't want their sympathy.

I don't want their sadness, I don't want their well wishes.

They don't understand, for the majority of what is occurring... within me... no matter how they seem to be interested in my difficulty.

I appreciate it that they may feel sorrow for my difficulties... or the problems that I may have...... but I don't want their sympathy.

I want them to treat me as they did, before I was injured, and let me adjust as best I can, and just understand that this is me NOW.

I am not being mean, if I seem inattentive, if I seem distracted or uninterested; I am doing My best to either attend to the activity around me or adjust to it..... or finding a way to best remove myself from it as it is causing me enough trouble that I am better off away from it.

If they can understand that, then we can all be happy. And no one needs be sad or upset about it.

Thats what I try to make clear to my wife, her father (the 2 central people in my close environment) and the remainder of our family.

I can accept that people want to be well wishing, but try to let them know they don't need to try, because it only makes me uncomfortable and them too. I am adjusting......... its ok, I'm ok, with this 'thing' thats happened.. TO Me.

Past co-workers get that 'grin', when they see me at the work site, when I pick up my medications ( I used to work at the hospital where the pharmacy is), and they start off with "How are you?" ........ my reply is " I am alive"... its a fact. Then I tell them, to relax, its me, just a different me and I am alive, and adjusting........., then that 'grin' relaxes.

We live on, and thats always good news, how we live on is different for everyone of us, I know, and I have nothing but good wishes for each and everyone of you............

Best Wishes ................