How to Survive Disability

I paused for a moment then I cried and then I prayed to God, the cry was good but the pray helped me. While praying I decided that God was only going to help me if I helped myself. I didn’t know how long I would be disabled and I didn’t know what to plan for. I was confused, scared, and unsure and in pain. Then one day while waiting in a room with other people for a court hearing for workers compensation a person came to me and said make sure your prepared and save all your papers. I never forgot that advice and from that day forward I saved everything. Make sure yousave all your information even if you think it’s not important.

I began writing down all phone numbers that were important to my case keeping them with the rest of the information in a safe place. Here’s a list of some of the important people and places to save. (Doctors lawyers, claim adjusters, banks, case mangers churches, drug stores, pension disability center, social security office, workers compensation board and disability insurance company.

I was depressed and decided to keep busy. No matter how disabled you are you should keep busy. It was difficult at first but I learned how to live with my pain. I went to physical therapy twice a week it helped me keep the joints in my foot loose and helped prevent cramping. I keep busy food shopping, banking, washing clothes and swimming.

I pace myself and some days are better than others. I try to keep a good attitude.

Then I thought wow I’m organizing my self now and I began to relax and stop worrying so much about my financially situation. I prayed daily leaving all my problems in the lord’s hands and continued to keep myself organized.

I recall thinking why me and where can I find help to all of my unanswered questions. I continued to be up-beat and positive realizing everyone deals with their disabilities differently.

I learned to take one day at a time. I went to several doctors that told me my right foot would take some time to heal. The days turn into weeks then months and then a year. One year passed and I wasn’t getting better. I continued keeping all my important papers in order.

Still searching for help I thought to myself, I’m a New York City Bus Operator and a union member for eighteen years I should be able to get help from my union. It was more complicated then I thought. I went to the shop steward for help and he told me that if I didn’t get back to work before the year was up I would be fired and I would have a difficult time trying to get my job back.