Joint hypermobility disorders :
How do you deal? - - Posted by Stacey (Stacey), 12 April 2003
Hi everyone
Im feeling a little down now. I got a letter from my OS saying that my rheumy appt is get this december 15th at 1pm. Not only is it a ridiculus time away but in the middle of when the exam period at my university is so i will have to change it (or cancel it). Then i was talking to my mom and she was like oh well your just going to have to wait. I can tell with that comment she has never had to endure chronic pain for an extended amount of time. Right now my wrist is so painful its not even funny and my knee is starting to act up again. I am not taking any NSAIDS (they never did much) and cant really take any pain killers since im in the middle of my exam period. Also i havent been able to sleep (been going to bed around 3 getting up around 7 or 8 for the past week). Sorry i know im complainign a lot right now but im just at the end of my rope right now and have an exam at 6:30 tomorrow night. Does anyone have suggestions on what i can do to try to get an appt before december or at least how to cope with people who dont understand. Also ideas for pain relief? Once again im sorry for the rant, just had to get it off my chest
Stacey
Posted by KneePain326 (Emily), 12 April 2003
Hey Stacey!
Sorry things are so rough for you right now! Sorry your mom didnt have the right thing to say... Im sure its hard for her to see you suffer. I think it really is hard for people who have never had chronic pain to imagine what its like. Have you tried to get your doctor to get you a prescription pain killer like Codine or something like that just so you can get one good nights sleep without pain? i went to an emergency clinic one night because I absolutely coudnt get abny relief from my knee and they gave me a prescription of HydroCodine and it really knocks the pain outl... you have to be cafeful not to take it a lot though ebcause it is a narcotic 
. Have you ever tried ice massage for pain management? If you dont know what it is you take like a dixie cup or something that you can cut up and freeze it ful of water then cut the bottom off and massage the ice directly on your knee (or otehr painful area) until it goes numb(usuially about 5 minutes). It is supposed to hel inflamation and even if it does nothing more it numbs the area for about an hour. Since you are in the middle of exams does that mean you are getting out for summer soon? Sorry I really dont have any good advice... Hopefully you will get answers from your doctors sooner than expected!
Good Luck with your exams and pain management!!
Emily
Posted by Stacey (Stacey), 12 April 2003
Hi Emily
Thanx for the reply. I do have pin killers (T3's, Percosets, Torodol) but they make me feel 'out of it' for a few days even after taking just one and my exams fall on alternating days this year and I really need to be alert for them. Monday I am going to go back to the doctor at school to see what can be done about gettng an appointment asap in this area. I havent tried ice massage but my knee does hurt alot after icing it and i think the swelling is actually doing some good in my knee (when it is swollen it doesnt seem to maltrack as much) and ever since i dislocated my wrist the PT said ice would probably iratate it for a while. Thanx again for your reply 
Stacey
Posted by Shazinoz (Shazinoz), 13 April 2003
AS to dealing with the FUN 
of HMS/HEDS/ Chronic Pain. My answer is Any darn way you can. For me this includes but ISN'T limited to Painkillers (msContin) and my NSAID's (Vioxx) (you may need to try all of them before you find the one for you. (for me the NSAID on its own does NOTHING but when used with my painkillers it seems to make my painkillers WORK better and I then need less painkillers and my anti-convulsant (Neurontin) again this helps the my pain killers work better (as do some cough medicines <LOL> ) and also helps with the twitches and spasms etc that you can get from HMS etc. My other suggestions etc (I have tried and use all of these) Bracing (NEVER underestimate the roll of bracing in an ODD BOD), strapping and support of any kind (bandages, tape ANYTHING to help STOP it hurting, I even resort to taping my fingers and thumb etc when they hurt.
My other ways of coping are things like, Heat and HOT baths (especially spa baths 
) also try Moist heat, pitty you can't talk school to putting one of these in for you , to help you medically OF COURSE .. Also distraction (this is taking your mind of your pain with ANYTHING else that 1. doesn't make the pain worse, 2. has nothing to do with your pain, dopctors or medical ANYTHING, 3. IS FUN it could be shopping (even window shopping) or coffee and cake with friends or reading or a craft or ANYTHING.
Meditation (I find if I can get myself VERY relaxed then I can drift off and "almost" forget the pain and my body in general (this takes HEAPS of practice, but even the practicing HELPS, I was taight this at my pain clinic, I can send you what they gave us to help with this, as a start if you wish to try it) this also helps with the stresses of college and life in general (especially Odd bod life).
Talking to someone who understands HELPS A LOT, there is nothing like being able to spill your guts to someone who actually understands (it doesn't even have to be a fellow odd bod, but someone who also suffers from chronic pain, makes it easier and also someone else who is coming to terms with being disabled for the rest of there life. Rest BEFORE you get so bad you need to sleep for 12 hours to recover, rest often and as LONG as needed, to feel somewhat human again, Something else that helps me is what I call me "Blues" kit this is something you can make for yourself for those times when everthing is just getting too much and you are sick of your body, for me my "kit" includes my laptop and internet connection, chocolate, wicked/ indulgent snacks and drinks (anything that is a SPECIAL treat for you, it could be a whicked hot cocoa etc), a puzzle book and a pen (for distraction), my address book (for writing emails and letters), bubble blowing stuff (no one can feel down when blowing bubbles ), and anything to make you a kid again, playdough, colouring books, finger painting (also GREAT hand and wrist and finger PT), and ANYTHING that kids do, even making a mud pie , a good movie to watch, my pain killers (Stuff the consequenses, TAKE THEM ) just let a friend or room mate from school know you are taking them, so that they can tell your teachers if needed , The phone or a phone card (call someone and Chat), and little gifts buy them when you see them and wrap them and put them away and when you are feeling like everything is getting on top of you, then pull one out and unwrap it {try sample size facial supplies (this is a GREAT way to take your mind of how YUCKO you feel, give yourself a little spa day(facial, manacure, pedicure etc) ,if it makes YOU feel good then DO IT, also in this "kit" add anything that makes you feel good (maybe an inspirational book, or poetry or little quotes or ANYTHING).
Hope this helps.
Also try maybe getting dressed up very nice, put on make up, do your hair and go out somewhere for a coffee or something.
I have more stuff to but this is already to long, and I can share anyhting out of the folder I got from my 3 week pain clinic visit .
(SORRY this is SO long, but I hope that someof this can help you and others, I have found lots of thigs over the years to help, but REMEMBER we are ALL diferent and what works for one maynot work for another and may infact make you worse (like med's etc, some make me VERY VERY sick and others that make you sick, don't affect me at all)
Sharon
Posted by Shazinoz (Shazinoz), 13 April 2003
Stacey,
Try asking the school doctor etc for something you can take (medication wise for pain) and try different things (Boy try EVERYTHING if you have to, you need to find the balance between pain relief and still being able to function and think and study etc) You need to stay on each one for a couple of weeks at least to give your body a chance to get used to them to see if the drowsyness and side effects will taper off or dissapear (I have to do this every time they up my MsConitn as until my body gets used to it, I have drowsiness, bad constipation, stomach cramps, insomnia and MORE bt they all dissaper after about 3-4 weeks or so, when my body gets used to it).
Just make sure you let your college know (include a letter from a/the doctor) that you have a chronic pain condition, and a number of limiting medical problems caused by the HMS/HEDS and make sure they give you every consideration during your exams and during classes and for mobility etc (to get to and from classes etc), like a scribe, extra time, maybe being able to do the exam on a lap top (to save that wrist of yours) and also TELL them that you are being tried on new pain medication (that are vital to you wellbeing and to help control your medical condition) and let them know that you don't know how these meds will affect you and they could make you drowsy etc, you should be able to get "special consideration" for your exams etc.
Also I would suggest you see the disability support person/department/counsellor at school about other ways the college can help you overcome your disability (and YES HMS/HEDS is a disability, as is chronic pain).
and by the way Stacey tendonitis and tenosynovitis (also known as "soft tissue rheumatism") are VERY VERY common in Odd Bods as is nerve entrapments like carpal tunnel and such.
The school disability assistance area/ person/ department/ counsellor should be able to help with things like disabled parking and access and aid to make studying and living at college easier (Use this resourse as THIS is what they are employed for, I know it is hard to think of yourself as disabled BUT YOU ARE, chronic pain can be (and in my books is) worse than paraplegia, as we HURT all the time and have mobility issues and fatigue and exhaustion and MORE) and maybe even put you in touch with other disabled students and support groups
Stacey do you have disabled parking access
as YOU NEED TO GET THIS, not just for school, nut for EVERY WHERE (I don't know how hard/easy it is to get there but YOU NEED to look into it NOW and NOT wait for a diagnosis (that could take YEARS or you cuold get geneticists like I did who can't even make up there minds, I can't get 2 to agree , luckily for me My GP has looked into it and has diagnosed me with HEDS), as being able to park close, have extra room to manouver your body out of the vehicle and such takes some of the stress off your body (you should actually qualify with HMS, even though it isn't diagnosed yet, as long as a doctor (any doctor) is willing to say you need it medically and to fill out the paperwork to do so).
Good luck in your quest for answers, apin relief and HELP!! You are an amazing person to be studying in University with HMS and the Chronic pain and everything else that HMS/HEDS can do to you. I am inspired by you Stacey (I am looking ionto doing a home study course my self now , as if you can study at uni. with HMS etc then I can study at home in my own time, CRS (our government rehab. department) are helping me find a course I like and to get work etc to pay for me to be re-trained as this is the ONLY way I will every be able to work (at home, in my own time (so I am looking at doing web page design and also assistance dog training (to train Boo to be a disability Assistance dog (support dog) for me, she then has the legal rights of a guide dog (once certified) and can help me with picking things up I drop, opening heavy doors, carrying things (she wears a little backpack/pannier already to get her used to this in the future), and also to act as a buffer so that people don't bang into my RSD side etc and this should also lessen the rick on dislocations from being jostled in crowds, she can also be taught many many olther things from helping me to get dresses, to helping me up if I fall, or even turing on lights, helping with the washing, helpung me with balance and MORE).
Sharon
Posted by Stacey (Stacey), 13 April 2003
Hi Shaz
Thanx for all the great suggestions. I have a few das off now until my next exam so I am definatly going to utilize some of your suggestions. I already had my mom make an appt with my GP at home to go talk to him about getting a new appt, finding a NSAID that works (Ive tried celebrex, bextra, vioxx and naprosyn was given mobicox to try but it says not to tak eit if you have sinus problems which i do). I have been able to get sleep the last few days but only with out my plaster wrist brace (it has felt a little weird since i dislocated my wrist but i try it every night). Right now the school does provide me with a guaranteed parking pass and where i park isvery close to hte entrance ( I am in about 4 different building all over campus each day) I have purposly scheduled my classes so i have a break between each to stretch adn allow myself plenty of tiem to get there. Its hard to try all the other things because my dad i belive also has chronic pain (and maybe HMS) but he just used hte old addage of 'live through it and deal with it'. Also my parents dont like me on too many pain killers becuase my family has a history of drug abuse (in fact we are dealign with the consequences right now with my brother/nephew). Right now i dont feel i need many special considerations i probably do qualify for them but its hard becuase i do know some people that are physically handicapped and they have a hard tiem getting some of hte things you said i shoudl llook into. I also feel there are a lot more people who deserve parking passes more than i do. Once again SHaz thank you so much for all your suggestiosn and kind words. It really helps to know that there are ppl on here who listen and try to help. Also how do oyu go about finding a pain managment clinc? Or even getting your GP to beleive that HMS is an actuall condition? Mine jsut says 'yay your joints bend the other way that doesnt mean anything'. Also congradulations about trying to do some classes If you ever need any help in dealing with anythign to do with computers just ask Thanx Again
Stacey
Posted by Lizzie (Lizzie - UK), 13 April 2003
Well I would go back to your OS and tell him that things are deteriorating daily and that there is no way in hell that you can wait until December. Impress it on him/her that you are in a lot of pain and that you want want to get on with your life and that you are doing exams that will affect the rest of your life.
Tell who ever you can how you are feeling - they are not mindreaders and they need to know exactly what you are going through.
Make a pain diary, noting when you are feeling bad and when you are feeling good. After what activities, how you are walking etc, etc, so when you see them they know exactly what you are going through and that you are not making up what pain you are going through.
You mom probably feels so useless as there is nothing she can do and probably feels really bad. You know the saying - you only hurt the ones you love.
Please don't ever apologise for the pain that you are in, or the ranting - we have all been through it and we know that it does help if you can get out what you are feeling on this site. I know that I have - many a time.
Pain relief - I take everything - I take Tramadol and in between the hourly dosage recommendation, I take Tylex. I also take Diazepam 2mg three times a day to stop my muscles in my back and knee go into spasm. I also use ice packs and heat pads.
I also go to see a wonder chiropractor who helps put me back into alignment - it's amazing how your spine can regularly go out of alignment, just by limping. He is not one of those who cracks you back - he does this "toggle-recoil" - you don't feel much pain at all!
I am even going to try accupuncture soon as well as get my GP to refer me to a Pain Clinic.
Wishing all the very best in your recovery - let's hope if you stamp your feet and shout loudly that you can get an earlier appointment - those who shout the loudest often are the ones that get heard - get my drift?
Sending hugs and kisses and positive vibes
Love
Lizzie
Posted by rhea (rhea), 16 April 2003
Hi Stacey,
I don't really have any huge ground breaking way of 'dealing' other than taking things one at a time. I know, it sounds very cliche but it is so true. It is very easy to become overwhelmed by test after test, appointment after appointment, especially when everything keeps coming up as 'fruitless'. I'm at odd ends right now not knowing what I'll be able to do for a career. I don't know what my body can handle and if it will get any better or worse! Try to stay calm. It's perfectly all right to have a vent day just to cry, feel angry, frusterated, and than the next day try to go for a fresh start and move on. Finding things you are able to do helps the mind and moral considerably. Most important of all is to focus on the positive things.
I wish you all the luck in the world at getting your 'odd bod' figured out. I hope you get a really good, knowlegable, and humane rheumy.
(((hugs)))
rhea
Posted by Shazinoz (Shazinoz), 16 April 2003
Rhea,
On career paths what do you like I am going through this at the moment (i am having a disability vocational assessment at the moment , I have pages and page of info to fill out ratinig how much I like or dislike things from communicating with people, typing and arts and crafts etc, from this the CRS (commonwealth rehab services) assessor can work out (they have some thing that adds up the answers and tells you what kind of employment suits your personality and such, then they go through what you can and can't do and such and fromthis they suggest courses and careers for you .
For me the ONLY way I am EVER going to be able to WORK is from home (this way I can be supported as and where needed) and also that I will need a job that means I can as mich time as I need to get things done.
We are looking at things like Web Designer and also the other thing I am doing is training my own assistance dog (disability assistance dog or diswability service dog) this takes about 2 years and Boo (my pup) will have the same legal rights as a guide dog for the blind, she will be a ble to go into shops and restaurants and on planes and taxis and EVERYTHING, for me Boo will do things like carry stuff for me (she wears a little backpack) also she will do tasks like picking up things I drop (like my phone, crutches and such) and give them to me, also to open heavy doors, and a WHOLE lot more (this is something you could look into Rhea as you like me LOVE dogs (any dog can be used depending on what you want it to do ( a little dog is no good for pulling wheelchairs, helping with balance, or opening heavy doors).
If you are interested in this I can send you some stuff on it, as I have been doing a LOT of reserch on this topic (you can also get a fully trained dog as well).
So I would look into seeing if any of the disability/ rehab or career service places there have this kind of testing for disabled persons so that you can look into a career that you can do no matter how bad or good your body gets (if you love writing you could look into being an editor or writer or such (using voice software to save those hands and fingers and wrists (the whole idea of this sort of testing is to make life as easy for you as possible, and also to find something YOU love and can do within the limitations of your body.
Also this is the purpose of a support/ assistance dog (to save YOUr body from stuff that could HURT you (they can help you with balance through special harnesses (this may help you get OFF those crutches you HATE), the can act as a buffer (like Boo does for me) to stop people from bumping into you (it is amazing how much extra room people give you when you have a dog with you (especially in places dogs USUALLY aren't allowed like stores and such. Hope this helps a LITTLE Rhea as I KNOW how hard it is trying to think of what your body is going to allow you to do in the future (i am working on the worst case principaal (ie from Home with No deadlines ETC)
Sharon
Posted by rhea (rhea), 16 April 2003
Hi Sharon,
Thanks so much for your very helpful reply! In regards to career paths... well I like photography (at one point planned to be a photographer but I don't think I am up to that amount of physical activity) and of course animals are a huge passion of mine. Parrots and canines specifially. I am pretty good at computers but typing and using the mouse aggravates all joints in my arms. I was thinking of trying to use the dragon voice software as my dad has it anyways but my speech has gotten a bit worse and inconsistent. (Verbal discrepancies, where I think something just fine, type it fine, but I try to say it and sometimes the word just doesn't come out right.) I think getting a vocational assement done would be a very invaluable thing. Thanks for the suggestion I had no idea such services existed. I'll start with my occupational therapist and she can point me in the right direction as to where in my community I should go for it.
In regards to the service dogs, please send me all the info you have on training your own service dog. Hannah is a bit too small for opening heavy doors (lol she's 10 lbs ) but with proper training I am sure she could learn to pick up things I drop (seems like I've become a major butterfingers) and open up low cupboard doors etc... I was looking into service dogs in my area and they don't like placing dogs in homes with other dogs and usually their dogs go to people worse off than I.
Thank you so much for your help Sharon! I am still so new to all of this. I have no idea what I'm really entitled to or what services there are to help me. You've helped me a lot in adjusting to all of this and just knowing that you too have gone through the same crap and understand.
big (((Hugs)))
-rhea
Posted by SL99 (SL99), 17 April 2003
I guess everyone finds their own way of coping or managing with there particular problem and how it effects them really. To be honest I still find it hard to cope with the pain and frustrations on a day to day basis at times. I found it particularly hard to cope when my condition "blew up" and essentially turned my life upside down though...in the space of a few months I went form being a Dressage/Event Rider to a virtual cripple. I had no idea how I was going to cope with an incurable, progressive disease and having my career ripped away from me. 
But the human spirit is very resillient and you do find ways of adapting and coping and making the most of what you can do. I work from home as a freelance writer/author now which allows me to not only stay in touch wiyh my former work, but also explore new areas that I could never have dreamed of reaching before too. I still miss my "old life" of course but I'm proud that I've forged a new career that I can enjoy and hopefully be successful at too. 
Like you say M, the working from home is a great bonus to anyone in our situation. It's brilliant for me as I can work when I'm at my best and stop when I need too, rather than be tied to someone elses rules and hours. For instance I often struggle with my pain on an afternoon and have the freedom to take a break and rest....but also I find that I am at my most alert late at night often writing in the early hours! Plus of course, working form home makes it easier to sneak on here too!! 
I hope that you can get a vocational assessment Rhea, and that you find a career that is enjoyable, fun and manageble for you. It is possible Darl honest...and I know you'll succeed at whatever you put your mind too! By the way, you mentioned that you liked photography and animals but weren't sure if you'd manage physically to do work with either....just a thought but what about doing photographic animal portriats for people? You wouldn't have to go chasing around for your photo's and would get to work with animals too. Just an idea...
Anyway, take care Sweetie and good luck. I'm here if you want to talk and I'm sending you a big huh too!
Love.......Jo
xxx
Posted by Shazinoz (Shazinoz), 18 April 2003
Rhea,
PLEASE try dragon dictate anyway (I too get a bit like that sometimes and supposedly so my GP tells me it is actually a side effect of the chronic pain and pain meds but mainly the pain as your brain has SO MUCH to do just dealing with the pain that it sometimes forgets thigs, simple things like how to say some words), I always just thought it was me and used to laugh that I was getting Alzhimers sp?. but I have successfuly used dragon dictate and LOVE it (Just make sure you proof read it as it can and does come out with some VERY funny made up word that it thinks you say (My only suggestions is when you do the teaching side (when you have to read the stuff to it, it gives you, do as many of the pages of reading as you can and go back frequently and do more as this is how it learns your voice patters and pronunciation etc).
What a GREAT Idea Jo had taking animal portraits (wow if I was closer I would get one done of my Furry Baby Boo ) as to many people like me our pets are our children and we treat them as kids and spoil them like grandma's <he he he> Boo is as I said my Furry Baby and this is how I feel about her, she is my furry daughter and kid in a fur suit and having her portrait done to me is NO different than a parent having photo's done of there child.
You could even do photography of animals in say the zoo (and it wouldn't matter even if you were in a power chair )electric wheelchair) as zoo's etc are accessable by law. You could eve do zoo portraits for the zoo to see of of any new arrivals and babies they get during the year.
It is just something to think about when you go for the vocational assessment.
Good luck and I will send you the stuff on training you OWN assistance/support dog to your email address (and yes this is the reason I decided to train my own dog as I refuse to get rid of Boo (the bonus of this Rhea is the Hannah can go to school with you if you go back and also as Boo does for me sha can act as a buffer (walking on one side (for me the worst side) so that people can't bump into me (as they tend to give the dog a wide berth). You could even put a little backpack on Hannah so that she can carry things like your keys, wallet and so forth (Boo is wearing hers already and I got a bargin on her packs one of our discount store has them for under $13 au and the other day for under $10 (and the store is going to do me a deal on them so that I can get a couple of extra's for Boo) I will see if I can get you a small one if you like for hannah (you may have to get it modified a little to fit her properly as she may be a tough to skinny for it ) but if you would like me to try I will email you a photo of them and try to get you one and post it to you.
Sharon
Posted by Shazinoz (Shazinoz), 18 April 2003
Rhea,
On the subject of what you are entitled to and what services are available I would contact one of the local either government or private (Government should be free and so are some or most private departments/agencies) Diosability services groups (try looking up Disability services on the NEt in your area and in the phone book and ask at the hospitals and so on, these can give you a list of services available and it can be eveything form podiatry care (a GREAT thing for all hypermobiles, especially THOSE of us here with BAD knee problems), and also in fitting of braces, OT, PT, and Rehab but also things like councelling and what services are available and what things you are entitled to and so on (even down to seating clinica to make sure your cairs are right and also for if you need a manual or more likely a Power/ electirc chair in the future (as manual wheenchairs are virtually useless for hypermobiles as we don't have the arm strength or stability to be able to use them and so lose our independance as we need someone with us to push us around.
You can also get help with a car and driving and hoists and ramps for the car and so on (this also helps us with our independance) and if you need housing you can also get your name down for like governemtn supported disablility ascessable housing (even if you aren't chair bound now, we never know what our bodies will do tomorrow (luckily for most of us, even if we do end up in a power chair (like I think I will in a matter of a couple of years, if my legs continue along like they are) we will still be able to get out of it and "waddle" around at home using our crutches etc., but an accessible home (and even having the disabilty service install basics into your home like grab rails aroun the bath and in the shower and around the toilet (to help prevent falls) and things lke this , Rhea, you OT should be able to also put you in touch with someone to assess or should be able to assess you her/himself and tell you what you need and also tell you if you are eligable for subsidy or evenm to get it free (like most of us are actually eligble to get power charis etc for free and to have our cars adapted and so on or at leat ot get financila help to help this happen.
AS a lot of these agencies are VERY much up on giving us our Mobility and Independance backa nd helping us STAY in our own homes with out full time carers (but with help for cleaning and even meals and such) so that we can Keep our independence (even if you are still living at home)..It is worth seeing these sort of groups and also to look o nthe net to see just what serivces are out there and even to write or print out what services are available as you may look at things and think NOpe don't need that and then forget where it is tomorrow when a table or log jumps out and hurts you and BANG suddenly what you read about 2 months ago and thought you would NEVER need, you need this way it is easier to access services in a hurry if you need them, as you already have the details of how to contact them.
Good luck and I know it is a HUGE step but for your own sanity and independace and such you NEED to do this (as I have found out <LOL>
Also you need to look into insureance if you have it or need it in the future and there was a thing on the CEDA board today I think it was on the I am sure it was Canadian "Crippled Childrens Insurance" as this way if you get it now you should be coverd in the future. I have NO idea how your health systems work over there (as here every one is entitled to the same hath services weather they have private health insurance or NONE at all, the only difference really is that those of us with private, have a choise of doctors and hosptials on those with none see who ever they see and stay where ever they are sent (we have 2 public hospitals in Canberra and about 3 or 4 private (2 of which are actuall in the public hospitals and 1 is across the road), the only difference between a public and private is one the cost and 2 with private you get things like TV and MOVIES and sometimes gourmet food and private or semi private rooms (usually no more than 2 to a room).
SO Good luck and here is hoping you can get some support and help and find those services you need now and those you may need in the future.
Sharon
Posted by rhea (rhea), 19 April 2003
Thank you so much for the replies!
Sharon- THANK YOU! You are such a well of information! I'm printing out those posts for my parents to read and will take your advice. And thanks so much for all of the fabulous service dog links! Hannah does sit, stay, down, and come well and the last couple of days I've been teaching her lap and floor. She seems to catch on quick and is very happy with this new found 'work'. I don't know how well she will do in public as she has a super submissive temperment and is frightened by people. But I think that perhaps practicing training in public (I can use the pet store I use to volunteer at) could increase her confidence. Well thats a long way off from now I guess. YES I am interested in the vests! I would really appreciate it if you could send me a picture! Wow, you are getting a great deal! To by something similar here in my city in canada it is about $40 in AUS currency.
I'm going to take your advice and try out the dragon software. It'll be a good project to keep me occupied right now anyhow and if it works it will save my poor shoulder, wrists, fingers and elbows.
Jo & M Thanks for the goodluck with the vocational assesment. I think that working at home is more suitable for me. Ha ha, funny you mentioned the pet photography. That is actually one of my loves but I don't think I could make much money at it in my teeny tiny retirement town of 50 000. Might be worth a try though. Here's a link to a portrait photo I took of my budgie at home a couple of years ago. Tell me what you think...
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/swiftygal_2000/vwp?.dir=/Rhea%27s+Album&.src=ph&.dnm=A+beautiful+portrait+of+Buddie.JPG&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/swiftygal_2000/lst%3f%26.dir=/Rhea%2527s%2bAlbum%26.src=ph%26.view=t
Byes for now
(((hugs)))
rhea
ps, I'm really enjoying my pool therapy. At the relaxation times I go there is often no one else in the pool! I feel like I'm rehabbing in luxury when I have the whole huge thing to myself.
Updated Thu Apr 29 2010
