Being appreciated
Hi everyone, I'm Emma. I'm a 37yr old single mum who has had RRMS for 12 years. I have recently retired through ill health as a primary school teacher and am struggling to adjust to life after a career that I loved and gave me enormous fulfilment. I am volunteering at the local hospital (where I don't feel needed), my local MS society (where I don't do lots) and my daughter's school, where I do feel greatly appreciated. I feel like I am just trying to find my feet and adjust in a new world. Just thought I would share in case anyone is going through a similar experience and wanted to talk....
@emmarichards Hi Emma I know the feeling of trying to adapt to a new scheme of life with MS. I was diagnosed almost a year ago with Secondary Progressive and yeah it sucks massively. Trying to adapt to doing things differently from how I did them before is a huge strain not only physically but also mentally, it hurts to even think at times and the smallest, slightest movement can make me feel like I've just lifted a Fridge. I used to Volunteer a lot myself, at the British Heart Foundation where I was a Sales Assistant/Shop Assistant. I loved it but felt I was being used as I Volunteered there for 2 years without a job offer and then when a job opening did arrive, was interviewed a nd ended up not getting it... still annoys me to this day, grrrr.
@emmarichards , thanks for sharing. Once your working life is over, I feel it is important to find a purpose, something to do with yourself. This could be voluntary, leisure, whatever, just something to enhance your feeling of self-worth.