“I choose not to place "DIS," in my ability.”~Robert M. Hensel
A prior blog post showed a photograph of a 1970s Smith Corona electric typewriter. Sometimes I miss using that powder blue piece of equipment. Today's "kids" don't understand what I mean when I talk about how much I loved my typewriter. I used to get a "tactile high" typing on each thick key, enjoying the sound of the clickety-clack noises and the clanging bell sounding off at the end of every line. In college, I'd make extra money typing other students' assignments because no one else owned a typewriter! I know it seems strange, but I loved using the old girl.
Yet as much as I loved my typewriter, I love the convenience my laptop affords me even more. There’s the sleekness of the design, the innovative technology it provides, and the sexy empowerment I feel when I’ve mastered a new skill.
"I do indeed write on the road. My laptop goes with me everywhere." ~Nora Roberts
The most important reason I love my laptop is that it opens the world to me without needing to leave the comfort of my home. When you have a disability, that’s a crucial reason.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the dark ages before computers. My first memory of owning a desktop is when my son was seven years old, and we spent a few afternoons at the children's game store Zany Brainy, testing the latest and greatest computer programs for children. His favorite was Putt-Putt Saves The Zoo. Whenever I was tired, I’d sit next to him in front of our new Dell desktop, observing him maneuver that tiny purple car, desperately trying to save the zoo. It was the perfect babysitter.
As he got older, I worried whether I’d ever be able to return to work. I couldn’t imagine holding down a full-time job or any job. How could I work when my biggest MS complaint was a constant enemy of fatigue? (I’d describe this fatigue by asking you to imagine your worst flu symptoms, then multiplying that memory by 1000%. Your body completely shuts down, leaving you unable to walk, talk or think clearly. Your only options are to rest or nap).
Today, having a laptop at my disposal allows me to work from home. It provides endless work-related opportunities I would never have had a few years ago. With my MacBook, I can be creative through my writing and get paid for my work. I can work on my blog at leisure and never worry that the boss may be watching. I can take breaks when I need to, nap when I have to and work odd hours of the day and night. It allows me to be a part of the world again, not merely watching it from the sidelines.
This past year I met an extraordinary group of women who share my love of writing and my commitment to enjoying my life after the age of 50. We met on the Internet and have become fast friends. They’ve unknowingly lifted me, helping me feel more “able” to continue writing what I’m passionate about while rekindling my faith in the kindness of strangers.
"If Lehman Brothers had been Lehman Sisters…" -Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the IMF
Who knew that a laptop could give back to me what my autoimmune disease took away? It’s a new world for disabled people, and my feet are finally dancing.
*NOTE: "Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another. Today, new treatments and advances in research are giving new hope to people affected by the disease." Please contact The National Multiple Sclerosis Society for further information. (Resource: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
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DISCLAIMER: Comments from An Empowered Spirit are brought to your attention on topics that could benefit you and should be discussed with your doctor or other medical professional. I am not medically trained, and my posts are journalistic and not instead of medical advice. An Empowered Spirit and its author will not be held liable for any damages incurred from the use of this blog or any data or links provided
Like you, I work from home, and like you I never knew how I'd appreciate the internet writing community the way I do. You've put into words very nicely, the connection you can experience even when you're by yourself. And while many of us prefer to work alone, we don't want it to a point of isolation. Checking in, offering input, sometimes just reading what others are thinking about is like popping into a friendly gathering spot at the end of the day. Most of all, I like that your resolve to brighten your working life carried over into the rest.
Cathy, you truly have an empowered spirit. You have not let obstacles prevent you from living life to the fullest and I so admire that. Isn't it wonderful to have a community of like-minded women to share with, learn from and lean on? I count myself so lucky to be part of this group and to have met amazing new friends like you!
Great post Cathy! Hope you are well. Best always, Christie
Cathy, at midlife, we are incredibly fortunate to have a chance to broaden our circle of friends through the internet, in a way that wasn't available to previous generations of women who might have wanted to, especially as their nests were emptying. Reading about the challenges you face with MS is eye-opening to me and I see how beneficial technology can be to you. Meeting you has been icing on the cake of our on-line friendship.
YAY! This was an inspiring, empowering and fabulous post! I hope that it sends a message to those that don't think they can understand that they can and should! You are amazing!
Online communities have been sanity savers for me over the years, especially during periods when, for a variety of reasons, I was not able to connect with a local community. I am glad you've experienced the same encouragement and support.
Cathy, what you didn't mention in your beautiful post is how much YOU have given to the community that you have become a part of recently. GenFab has benefitted in so many ways from your insights, kind words, shares, comments, and more. Having never met you in person (yet!) it would never have crossed my mind that you are challenged with something as difficult as MS - your spirit and generosity suggest a woman who is healthy, strong, and self-sufficient in every way. I'm so glad we met virtually, and look forward to meeting you IRL.
Cathy, I am so touched by what you have shared today. Truly, you are not only an empowered spirit, but an empowering one as well. Thank you for showing me how to keep a cheerful heart despite all that life may throw at me.
Truly, the internet is the only thing that has enabled my second career - I do online editing now, working from home, as I am 'age-challenged' to put it euphemistically.
Cathy, my father had MS. He was diagnosed the year I was born. At that time very little was known about the disease and there is still so much to learn about it. Both of my father's brothers also had MS. We were part of a Canadian study to see if it was, in fact, a genetic disorder. As a young child I was very familiar with giving blood. I have no idea what happen to the study.
I grew up fearful that I carried the gene for MS. I am not sure if it is still the same as back than, but at the time more women were diagnosed and more in their 30s. When I gave birth to my first child at age 30 my father was so fearful that it would trigger it.
As it turns out neither my sister or I have MS, but I do wonder about my children....
Hi Cathy,
I have become such a fan of your blog! You hit on subjects that always interest me and I really love what you have to say. I'm home for a few weeks with a torn ACL & MCL. The computer is my link to the working world. In some ways it's great! I can feel connected without having to be there. The down side is, I'm always on duty. Reports, lesson plans and many day to day things continue to be my responsibility. I'm supposed to be resting! Ha Ha...who would have thought that I'm a full time teacher...while still being home.
Love,
Barbara
Cathy- this was such an inspiring post about finding ways to rise above and beyond the physical limitations that try to keep us down. You are fabulous!
http://www.shmirshky.com/menopause-blog/2013/02/25/female-heart-attack-symptoms/
Cathy, you are an inspiration in so many ways and a big reason I look forward to getting online every day. I'm so glad we met, and I will be hanging out with you virtually until we can get together again in person - or you move to San Diego! xoxo
So glad for you that a laptop helps you connect, earn money... I don't have a laptop; I use a desktop at day job and at home, but someday...
Am so glad to e-meet you at GenFab and the Internet - my life is SO much richer with all these wonderful, talented writers in it!
You are such a huge inspiration to me, Cathy. As someone with MS (20+ years now), this resonates on many levels. I work from home, make friends from home, am thankful for the opportunity thanks to our brilliantly high-tech world. I *could* work outside the home and did for many years, but why should I now? 😀
I'm so thankful to have met you and all the other #GenFab ladies. You truly inspire me, my friend.
What a wonderful post, both as a tribute to the GenFab group, as well as to your laptop. Oddly enough, I feel the same way about my laptop, as it has given me the freedom to write where and when I want to write. I used to have to station myself at our desktop, but now if I want to leave the house and write somewhere else, I can, or conversely, if I want to stay in bed and write, I can do that too. I hope you know that you too are one of the members of the online group that lift others up as well, both with your blog, as well as with your warm spirit.
Empowering and uplifting insights, Cathy! Many families (like mine) constantly search for new ways to support loved ones with MS and other autoimmune diseases. Technology is a blessing that improves lives every day. Also, GenFab!
Such a wonderful post Cathy. I also am moved by all my new found friends at GenFab. I look forward to us all meeting in person some day.
Cathy, Your positive outlook and sunny disposition are to be commended...and emulated. It is so obvious that you are a true, genuine soul, and that's not easy to find these days. (Except in this group, of course!)
What a great testament to 1) technology 2) individual talent 3) attitude and 4) community. Woo hoo!
Cathy, It is indeed a strange and wonderful new world out there. Like you, I feel empowered by this tribe of GenFab women, women I've never met, but feel that I know. We really do care and support each other. Your written words are strong and powerful and I would never guess that illness has had such an impact on your life. I appreciate that you've shared your story with the world. One never knows how sharing vulnerability can impact someone else's life.
How uplifting Cathy... but only am empowered spirit could turn life on its heels and find the blessing. I am happy you shared this with your readers. I know you are a great resource. But maybe more than that, know that your virtual friends are there for you more than you think. Call on us.
Thank you for sharing about your MS. So many people know little about the disease and in my experience they don't know what to say or how to talk normally about the person. My husband struggled to not be defined by his MS. And, what I've noticed is that his strength and determination have served him well over the years. Now approaching age 60, in a nursing home, after about 18 years with the chronic progressive form of the disease.
We all need to pay more attention to adaptability and flexibility in our thinking about the role of work and play in our lives.
Making the best of a bad situation...Cathy, you have succeeded and more!!! A great testament to the power of inner drive, creativity, and resilience. Thanks for your example.
Cathy, you're nothing short of amazing! I never knew this about you, but I can tell you, you're inspiring. Keep on keepin' on! I'm so glad to have met you. 🙂
I am so glad to hear your voice and read your posts!
You impress me so much. I find myself coming up with the flimsiest excuses for not doing what I need to do. I'm grateful to this group of women who are so supportive and inspiring, who motivate me to find a way around the obstacles. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Oh my goodness I used to love playing Putt Putt games on the computer as a kid! I'd completely forgotten about them.
Thank you for sharing this post. It was really inspiring.
Cathy, I stumbled upon your blog and found it very interesting. I too have MS, diagnosed 4 years ago. Unfortunately I am still trying to find my new "normal", which is kinda hard when "normal" changes from day to day. For close to 30 years my work life has been active and energetic (military/International contract security/law enforcement) Now I find myself with wheels. I never knew just how limiting wheels are. Daily I find myself frustrated with not just going and doing something that was once so easy.
I need to reinvent myself as you have (disability payments are seriously demeaning). But what? Where do I start? How can I make the internet work for me? Techno literate I am not.
I have dabbled with writing over the years, really nothing more than moments of inspiration (http://www.scribd.com/Mivoyses) but certainly not something I can sit down and do on demand.
I would love to be able to "be productive" again, my only questions are what and how?
Do you have any suggestions for where I should look?
I have to tell you that, upon meeting you, I had no idea you had any disability at all. You are vivacious and a "go-getter"! You have made the best of things, that's for sure. I, too, am glad that I found our little group. It empowers me in so many ways!
[...] following is a piece Cathy wrote for her special Featured Blogger Day. For more of Cathy, check out How My Laptop May Help Me Break the Glass Ceiling Despite My Disability, April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, and How Watching a Movie and Ordering a Juicer [...]
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