Most public schools need volunteers. They run a background check. Takes a day or so, then you are entered into their system.

It can be anything from office type of help, to craft projects or sorting papers. Reading or listening to the kids read is a huge help. Many of the kids don't have parents who take the time.

I was at my grandson's school everyday last year.

It hard to go from working all the time to doing nothing. I think many of us can relate to what you are going through. For me, I eventually got back in to my art work. I have never been much of a TV watcher and my TV is rarely on until DDs come home from school.

When my cognition is good, I read A LOT. I love science and read a lot of science articles and books.

Give yourself some time to explore what is out there. There is a whole new world out there for you. Google "list of hobbies" or "find a hobby." I am sure there is tons of stuff out there. Hobbies doesn't necessarily mean crafts or anything artistic. I can be related to an interest of yours, like . . .astronomy and building a telescope.

Everyone here has given some great ideas and I am impressed with all the different things people are doing. What a great inspiration you all are.

Let us know what you decide. I certainly would love to hear what you have found.

Awesome suggestion. There are many potential volunteering roles you can have that you can do by phone from your home. There may even be some with your local NMMS office if you live near a major city.

I agree with that suggestion too.

I just found out our local Humane Society needs dog walkers and trainers for the adoptable dogs that come in. I'm considering doing some volunteer work because like others posting in this thread, I'm bored out of my mind. I love dogs, but have been a bit resistant to getting a new one. If I get a volunteer job at the pound, then I might find a good dog for myself eventually and not be so bored.

I agree with the above posters about volunteering. I work at a non-profit and we depend on our volunteers, and treasure them, a lot. There are so many great places you can work at--and the amount of time and energy is up to you.

During my unemployed stints, I took up birdwatching in my backyard (although I spent a ton on seeds and feeders), gardening, cooking, and baking. But reading is my real addiction, and fortunately my eyes are good. I'm also trying to write more, which is pretty hard right now. And of course, there were days when I just sat on the couch and watched TV!

It was always hard in the beginning but then I settled into a routine. Best wishes to you, and I hope you have some fun with your time!

This is a great thread! I've been on short-term disability from work for about a month now, and have been trying to find things to do. I get dizzy a lot when I'm up doing stuff, but try to do it anyway. Otherwise, I just sit around watching my butt get bigger ..Some great suggestions here, more always welcome!

I really want to get out of the house but it wastes a lot of gas to take my fiance to work and pick him up... and with our limited income now I am unable to do that very often..

I would love to volunteer, especially at the animal shelters!!

And then there is the issue of being in a flare and not having an ounce of energy the past couple days.. Excuses Excuses right? lol Hopefully I can figure out someway to do some of these things.

When I got to feeling better after my big excerbation I wanted to do something productive. Srry, this story might not help you. I was an RN in my past life so I thought that being a Hospice volunteer would help. The 40 hours of traing was wonderful. I got to meet lots of new people and really get out there. But the actual volunteering was difficult. I don't know if they didn't put me with the right client or not. My procrastinatio/forgetfullness kept me from turning my paperwork in on time. I was assigned to a client that would get really restless and I basically had to chase her around her house. Bur others had wonderful experiences, life changing ones. Maybe I was wanting something to replace my nursing and this didn't. So I repsectfully resigned.

I had a next door neighbor that had MS and answered an ad for a caregiver. She had to basically make sure her client took her medicine and went to bed in time. She worked 4 hours an evening for 4 evenings a week and got $250/week. It was all private pay. So there are things to do out there.

ok, lets lay this out.

Step one. figure out where you want to volunteer.

Step two. Call and see if they are seeking volunteers. Ask if they have transportation available to and from, or other volunteers that car pool to the place. (If no rides are available, ask if you can tack up a "need a ride" notice in the employee break area)

Step three. Ask if they need heavy help, or can you do light things, on bad days like pet kitties, or teach doggies to sit, instead of walking them in the hot sun. Tell them of your MS, and that you cannot be a firm walker. Some days yes, some days no. If its not a shelter and its a hospital/nursing home/school area. make sure they know that you will have days that you cant run with the kids, or haul heavy books. That you CANNOT be around the kids who are sick, or the adults who are heaving with flu. If its a food bank, tell them some days you can only make phone calls to solicite for donations, and wont be able to stock shelves.

Step four. Speak to the hubby, and let him know what you found out. Tell him of your laid out plan, and your investigations. Does this fit into both of your schedules.

Step five. call them back, and ask when you can start.

If you have a plan, and think it out, and have a clear direction, then its much easier on you, and your family when it comes time to start.

NEVER EVER be afraid to stop this if it becomes too much, or too stressful. Sometimes it is hard to see hurt/sick animals, or watch how many people are using the food banks, or see residents of the hosptial/home die. If you feel it is not a good fit, dont be afraid to go home, and repick a place to help.

Now, lets all go pet puppies.

Marissa - You can also so volunteer work from home. Animal shelters need people to make phone calls and assist with placing animals in foster homes and such.

A couple of years ago I helped a woman who had volunteered her services as an interior designer to redo our local pound. She needed some one to make calls to help coordinate volunteers for things such as painting, calling contractor's, making calls for donations, etc. It was great and the pound looks so pretty.

So there are many volunteer opportunities out there that you can do from home if transportation becomes an issue.

I am not sure of the size of your town but there are organizations that help with transportation for the disabled. They come pick you up, take you to where you need to go, and bring you back home. The cost is usually free.