@3973stuart 

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3973stuart

Helter Skelter of salaries with MS!

Does anyone know if there has been any research on the salaries of people prior to diagnosis and at various times points after such as 1yr 2yr 5yr 10yr? I personally am required to be the breadwinner in my family and yet I have relapse remitting MS. I previously lost the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink, I had 2 strokes, lost sight and hearing. Thankfully most of this came back, however a year later the same happened again. I have had almost 2 years in 5 out of work for various reasons that stem from MS and zero support from the state due to previous financial circumstances and the government's general non acceptance of MS affecting lives. I have noticed my salary drop by over 2/3 and am really interested in speaking with people who have become financially secure or remained so since diagnosis. Personally it’s a helter skelter. I am keen to hear of any research on this topic so that I can look into new ways to address the problem I face and I believe others must also face. Note: unemployed again for last 3 months and if I don't get help, we will lose everything.
@Stumbler

@3973stuart , I don't think it would be helpful to do a survey of salary progression, as it would be fairly meaningless. I mean, we're all different, affected differently, with different employers, both public and private sector and affected, to various degrees, by the recent years of austerity. You need to address the "zero support from the state" and "the government’s general non acceptance of MS affecting lives", as this shouldn't be the case. I would head straight to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in the first instance. If you get no success with their advice, then contact your local MP.

@EdmontonAlberta

@3973stuart Two parts of the equation are income & expenses. I know you did not ask - I apologize in advance if this is not appropriate to your personal situation. Google Search "minimalist living". My bookshelf is the cinder blocks & shelving my sister gave me when she finished University 35 years ago. My couch & chairs have been here forever. I purchased my coffee table for $15 almost 45 years ago. When I look around our place, the only furniture we bought brand new over the past fifteen years is the bed. It is amazing how much money we save by not wasting it on fads or things we see advertised. I pay everything with cash. If we have splurge money left over at the end of the month, we spend it; if not, life goes on. Growing up as an Army brat taught me a lot of things. We had no money so "hand me downs" were our clothing. Looking at old family photos it was funny to see our curtains transform into my sister's dresses which Mom sewed - LOL. Just my thoughts...