Tag Archives: disabled

Am I done? Am I Resting? Something Else?

A strange thing happened to me yesterday. When I was a young man, freshly diagnosed, I was full of vinegar, keen to learn the science and seek out potential cures. Not snake oil, oh no. There plenty of these salespeople to be had. This was not it. I wanted science-based answers. Sadly, there really wasContinue reading “Am I done? Am I Resting? Something Else?”

Beginnings

On Friday February 19, 1965, General William Westmoreland was on the cover of Time Magazine. Closer to home, Ken and Joan Gillespie were in the process of welcoming their second son, Bradley Kent Gillespie into the world. That would be me. From what I am told, I was not the easiest baby. I seemed toContinue reading “Beginnings”

2013: Loose Ends

That was the end of the notes that I kept documenting my go around with AMN. I wrote the following, today, 2 August 2021, based on what I can remember. Looking at it all in retrospect, it seems like a continuous, drawn-out rollercoaster ride, with high highs, low lows, loop de loops and hairpin turns,Continue reading “2013: Loose Ends”

Scoring Your Disability

I do not know diddly about the Stages of MS Chart, but I have some familiarity with The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). It was developed to keep track of MS patients and is also used for AMN. Well. At least it was for me. I do not expect that there are enough AMNers toContinue reading “Scoring Your Disability”

What the heck does it mean to be disabled?

I expect that most people think that they have a pretty good idea of what it means to be disabled. I know that I did. I was singularly focused on my inability to walk and do things that I used to do. Thursday evening, I had the privilege of participating in a Halifax, Nova Scotia-basedContinue reading “What the heck does it mean to be disabled?”

Disability Assistance

With few exceptions, most AMN guys that I have met carry a solid work ethic, regardless of their disability. Which is a good thing, since such characteristics are viewed favorably by our society. While some adaptions may be in order, it seems that most of us get in our 40 hours. We are the luckyContinue reading “Disability Assistance”