It's strange how the mind works...because-
1)I am still 21 in my mind
2)I am thin and beautiful in my mind
3)disabled? Doesn't fit the picture I've created...until I walk or check the heels of my shoes to see how I'm dragging my foot. That's reality...

You wear heels??? I'm so jealous! Funny as it sounds that's what I miss the most.....my strappy sandals!

I thought the same thing. I miss my dressy shoes too. After I started to walk better again and had my balance back, I found that I can wear wedges most of the time without too much trouble. (But I only wear them when going out somewhere special and I bring my dressier girly flip flops just in case.)

Hang in there, Deb! I think we all have similar feelings. I still see myself as a high energy person buzzing around all over the place with the need to rest or nap. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be where I am now.

You know the shoe thing can get worse? I was content wearing flat shoes. But then neuropathy made me graduate from B widths to DD widths, with padding. Then I could hardly walk even with the padded clunkers. But then my neuropathy got better, so I now am walking well with the padded clunkers or with soft wool shoes which are like bedroom slippers. I haven't worn "hose" for years now, as it's too much to get the hosiery over my hurting feet.

Last spring I fell down my nephew's staircase because of foot numbness and clumsiness.
I broke my kneecap and was "incarcerated" in facilities for three months. Then was on a walker and a cane. Now am walking without those aids. But my back hurts, so it still
is a big push to get up in the morning on sore feet and sore back. But I am still doing it.

Thinking back 23 or so years to when I got my first Disability placard, I didn't need it
really in those days. Sometimes I WAS too tired to park far from the store entrance, though. So I guess I did need it even though my feet worked well then. However, now,
I just slide into the Disabled parking space and know I have earned it.

Don't waste any time feeling you don't deserve it. You do.

I'm with all of you...retired, not by choice. The doctor made that choice for me...then disability followed immediately. I didn't want to accept it at the time, but now, three years later...I know it was for the best.

At first, I kept thinking I was going to get better...like as if I had the flu, or a broken leg, or something!!??!! Now, I realize this is simply my new life. It sucks, but I try to be the best I can under whatever the current circumstances are.

My heart goes out to each and every one of you!

Disability can take forever to get. With the back pay for the kids,
i got them needed braces, then saved for college, banking their check in a 529. You find out too late, if you haven't worked in more than 5 years (?), no Disability. Luckily I had been not working after I'd had kids, then worked on and off PT when they turned 3, FT when they went to school FT, moved away, any my teaching license was not valid in new state. I never renewed, I was tired. Now I know why. I was lucky to get disability, I almost waited too long.

Now I'm in a chair. I explained to DH only me, sometimes him in the right circumstances and those who know, can use crip or gimp on each other without giving offense. You know?

Kitty,
Not high heels!! Regular ugly heels...any and all of my shoes. I can't wear heels more than 2" to 3" high. If I even wear 3" heels, I make sure I'm sitting most of the evening. They're definitely just for show, not function

You should see me try to get a pair of panty hose on now!! I have to get the feet in, then lie on my back with my legs in the air, and pull them up one leg at a time. It's kind of funny, and not very sexy at all...

And getting out of a bathtub keeps me out of one...lucky me, I have arm rests in my tub, so when I did take a bath, I could rest my arms on them, and inch my feet back. But my gimpy legs wouldn't support me, and I'd fall back into the water.
DH said, "Call me and I'll help you out..." No way!! Again, not a sexy sight...