Month: October 2020

Immunity Long Road to Recovery

I will be the first one to admit that maybe staying home to avoid Covid was good for me.  My doctors have stated that my labs have been the best ever.

Endocrinologist even stated that when he met me 6 years ago my adrenal glands and hypothalamus had shut down.  They are now both functioning after 5 years.

Let me be honest. This has been 5 years of trying different vitamins, adjusting food intakes, dietary accommodations and re-arranging my life down to every day, hour and minute.  If something made me feel bad, try doing less, not doing it or finding an alternative.  This applied to food, exercise, errands, sleep, pillows, equipment, ADA accommodations and clothing.

If you have been recently diagnosed with an auto immune condition, please do the following….

  1.  Educate yourself.  Find out how it affects you physically and mentally.
  2.  Try different therapies.  I added complimentary therapies, changed diet, yoga and massage in addition to my medications.
  3.  Do communicate with the Doctor(s) about ANY side effects of the medications that may be prescribed.
  4.  Stay in communication regularly with the Doctor(s) about any new symptoms.
  5.   Keep a journal for at least the first year.  Log how you feel each day, what you eat and exercise.  It helps you find a correlation between symptoms  and reactions to daily activities.
  6.  File for ADA accommodations at your work.  JAN network is a great resource.  Your company may have a disability office to do this with.
  7.   Realize that your life will never be “normal”.  It will always be different each and every day.  Thank God every morning you open your eyes whether you are suffering or not.
  8.   Remember that it is okay to ask for help.  It is also okay to stretch yourself to stay active.

Most of all, start your day of with God.  Read the Bible, pray and meditate.  Know that when He limits you, there is a better purpose ahead.

I know that this journey is not even close to being done.

No Double Standards to be a Victim

I wanted to take the time to share with something I recently had to experience.  I was receiving death threats from a past student.  It was frustrating.  I knew who it was.  I was able to verify the person with a little bit of detective work.  I filed a police report after the first death threat.  Filed an addendum with the second death threat.  I was informed by the police, school resource officer and my supervisors that nothing was going to be done because the young adult was special education.  The person continued to call.  I got frustrated.  I filed another police report.  I was continually being told nothing could be done because he was special ed.  I refused to allow this double standard because of being “special”.    Mr. Cruz from MSD was “special” and look what he did.

Parents have fought for their special education children to have extra rights, yet be treated as normal.  Except when they get in trouble.  I refuse to allow that to be the excuse for this young adult’s behavior.

Finally after talking to a friend, I was given the guidance to file a restraining order.  Now, this takes some preparation.  I had to take the recordings of the death threats and transcribe them into a document.  Transfer the threats to my computer so that they could be used if the judge allowed the order.  Fill out a 3 page form before even going to the court house.  I had copies of the police reports.

Next, go the court house and plan to spend 2 to 4 hours to process the request for the order.  Go with something to read and a sweater.  With Covid, this was even more challenging.  You will need the intake form mentioned above and any proof of the threat.  It is done through the domestic violence unit.  The intake clerk was kind and helped me process everything.  The judged signed immediately for the temporary injunction.

Next came the court date done via virtual platform.  I had such a nervous stomach.  The meeting was done via Zoom.  It was scary.  I understand why victims refuse to testify.  Even though I was not on trial, it was distressing to have to listen all the recordings again in front of those in court in attendance on Zoom.

The judge ordered a permanent injunction be filed.  The young adult is not allowed to call, email, social media or show up in person at my home, work and any future home.

I received the permanent order in the mail.  I made a copy of the first page and keep it on me.  Just in case.

What has this done besides inconvenience me?  It gives me peace of mind.  It was a hassle, a fight for justice, and even scary.

I am sharing this because you don’t have to put up with being a victim because the rest of the world thinks that person is protected.  There are laws.  Even those with special issues have to follow them.    Parents, please be strong with your children.  Do not allow bad behavior “just because they are special”.