I am 56 years old and I was a Registered Nurse for 20 years. Prior to becoming disabled I was very physically fit. I lifted weights, powerwalked, and loved to hike outdoors. I

became disabled after suffering injuries in 2011 when i was hit by a drunk driver. My injuries included a severe concussion, torn labrum in my shoulder and a herniated lumbar disc. Dispite being injuried i battled to go back to work dispite having severe headaches, memory impairment and severe pain in my lower back. When i first started going back to work my supervisors woukd send me back home because i was having i was having tremors, severe headaches and i was in severe pain. I was planning on retiring in 5 years with a pension and didnt want to lose my job as a off hours nursing supervisor who was in charge of 4 nursing units. It was a demanding job both physically and mentally which i struggled to do dispite my injuries. My director of nursing was very supportive and allowed me to use my vacation and sick time while i continued to strive to overcome my injuries. I eventually had to step down from my nursing supervisor position due my inability to perform my position effectively while i struggled to recover. I took an assistant head nurse position on one of the units i use to supervise. For a year and a half i was working and my memory and stamina were slowly getting better but i continued to have severe headaches, tremors, back pain and memory impairment.

Unfortunately while helping two staff i suffered another concussion and neck injury. I had worked so hard to recover after being struck by that drunk driver only to injured again a year and a half later. I have a history of prior concussion before my last 2 injuries. II suffered a head injury at age 5 and a severe concussion years later when i was 20 years old and in the U.S Marine Corps.My concussions have caused me to have problems with my memory. After my neck injury my balance is not as good as it used to be. I have problems with stamina. After my neck injury i developed neuropathy and i have numbness in my hands and feet with burning skin pain.

Being disabled i feel cut off from the outside world. I am living a more sedative lifestyle and I very depressed. I feel alone and lonely everyday. I would like to meet other people who are dealing with some of the sane issues as i am. People who are not disabled have no idea what it is like to live with the hardships that we have to endure.

Computers, reading, watching movies. Im still trying to find things to occupy my time.