It seems as though the time is too short for me to get all done that is necessary to do before I can "bow out" by December 31. Too short for the kind of work I do and too short for our family stability. I don't want to do one more year, but I suppose I can (particularly if a smooth transition path is laid out).

I don't think I'd have any trouble making at least enough to cover the household expense gap between ssdi and our needs... and not from just contributions for our body paintings, either.

I could go "inactive" and not have to pay the liability insurance and then if I wanted to get it back, simply pay a reinstatement fee.

My friend, Tom, stopped his profession (and became a Trader Joe's crew member), but continued to pay full fare for his licenses (he was licensed in several states) for at least 4 years. In part because he couldn't let go so easily.

And the losses with PN just keep comin' {blindness is a possible effect??). It just suddenly stared me in the face that I have lost tremendous mobility (with more to come) and that I can only think at 10% of the rate and level I used to (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating).

Thanks for comments and prayers... there aren't a whole lot of people intimately familiar with this particular disease and support from those who know is doubly gratifying.

CB