I recently got the DVD from the conference run by Invest in ME and it is full of all sorts of intense information about ME. Have listened to the the first three disks - apparently 3 million people in the US have the disease. The discussion by one of the speakers of the Gulf War syndrome and illness was fairly shocking for me. I hope they don't mind me putting up a picture of the DVD.I got the wheelchair last Wednesday. It was deliverd by courier to school, at lunchtime Wednesday, just in time for me to go and film some of the Rugby Final at Vikings, which we won 38-0 I think. I did not stay for the whole game.
My hubby took me for a "walk" in the wheelchair on Wednesday night. Will have to put a photo in of me in it, as I use it reclining with the elevated leg rests up. Of course what I got it for was for Moderation - had to go to the Lake Tuggers school on Thursday and found it sooo much better to have my own chair that I could relax in.
The Karnofsky Score is commonly used to judge how disabled a person is. It is based on a series of questions, but I cannot find how to score the answers. I usually rate myself at 30-40% which may seem low seeing as how I work full-time. The thing is, I spend 22 of 24 hrs a day lying down - I cannot walk a city block without my walk deterioating to a shuffle, I don't do housework, laundry, shopping, etc. My husband does everything right down to making the bed, vacuuming, all the shopping. Today I made a proper list for him, but most of the time I don't.
Right now I am trying to mark work. The students did a test for me same as last year - written on paper. I picked up the first one to mark on Wednesday and realised that I would not be able to turn all the pages for all the books... too much effort. So I got the students to type it up which makes an electronic copy. Today I am having a really up and down day, and I am struggling to mark - just to make myself do it. I am so tired.
One of the reasons for getting the wheelchair is to allow me to get out. People smile when they see the chair as I almost lying down in it and I have been told it looks very comfortable. When I read the Kanofsky score I am a little confused. Am I the only one who has thought of going out in a reclining wheelchair? Must admit I have never seen anyone else in one. Also sure I work full time - lying down for most of the time. I have a sun lounger in the staff room for when I make it all the way around to the staff common room.
It always occurs to me that I have had 50 years of reasonable health and I feel so sorry for those who are struck down with something like this at a young age.
Finally, found another blog that I like a lot - http://www.squidoo.com/NTFactor
I am thinking of investigating NT Factor more as it was mentioned on the Invest in ME DVD. It was just quickly mentioned so I am not sure what to think.
Anyway, had better get back to marking, sigh ...
