Hey...

Ok.. now I think that most of you know me.. (you need background to believe what an idiot I am..) - I'm 21 and have pretty severe full body RSD, dystonia and myriad other neuro/ pain/ rheumo/ whatever issues.

I have just done this counselling/ mediating course because it sounded interesting and I wanted to get more involved in volunterring. I am in college (uni) at the moment (full time!!) and I am studying for a BSc - so I thought that helping out would show that I am organised, empathetic and have good people skills (HAHAHA.. ) for future employers etc etc. Also, i figured it was a way to meet more people (I can't do sports, music or drama which were all my kind of thing, and I am at a uni with few other ways of meeting people - so though I have about 20 really good mates, you can never have enough :P -)....

However, I have just discovered that we are supposed to do 12 hour shifts -from 8pm till 8am... and, even worse, I am not allowed my carer - because the whole thing is done on a confidential setting (I'm not even allowed to say the name of the organisation)... Anyone got any ideas? I feel I can't really expect the other volunteers to take over my care.. and because I didn't want to be thought of as different I sort of didn't explain to what a huge extent my disability impacts on my life..

1) I can't go to the bathroom by myself
2) I can't do my tablets on my own
3) I can't get in to bed on my own
4) I can't roll over or transfer on my own
5) I can't hold a phone on my own
6) I can't feed myself
Do you see the issues? .....................................I don't want to give it up - so any ideas how I am going to manage 12 hour shifts with all of this would be great.. or how I'm going to get through 12 hours without a time out and a rest or two... I'm just embarrased to admit I need help, I have tried to break everyone in to it gently - by taking my carer along and letting her feed me in front of people I don't know (who I will be working with)...and seeing if they got the hint.. but they didn't really..

so HELP!!! PLEASE!!! because otherwise I am REALLY screwed and I don't want to give up something I have worked hard at to achieve...

Thanks!!!

FRxxxxxxxxxx