Hi, I read your story. My God you've been through a lot. You should be so thankful you are still here. Talk to your doctor. If you can't stand for long periods of time and have problems with your neck you certainly are disabled. Your doctor can write you a note, he can put you on long term disability or permanent disability. Talk to him, let him know how you are feeling. I've actually lived through a lot of what you have through my family. My daughter at 5 days old go pseudomonis, DIC and Septic Shock. She almost died, she was in intensive care for 3 weeks. Diagnosed with Hydrocephalus at 5 months and was shunted. Just had a revision this past June, and we were in the hospital for 2 more week, 3 surgeries. Also, 8 years ago my husband had back surgery for a herniated disc. After about a week he came down with menangitis. The doctor had knicked her dura during surgery, so he too was leaking spinal fluid, it used to come out the incision in his back, it was terrible. They did numerous blood patches to try and stop it, nothing worked. They eventually had to go back in and do another surgery. After the 2nd surgery they had him on antibiotics that he was allergic to, he had an allergic reaction and his body spasmed and he was crooked for about 10 months until he went to a really good physical therapist who was able to straighten him back up. My advice to you is not to give up. See if there's help out there so that you can return to a normal life. You never know. Hang in there, life is good, your still here.....