anderkling
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2014
- Messages
- 273
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 01/2015
- Country
- CA
- State
- B.C.
- City
- Surrey
Dear Laura,
My heart goes out to you, as you try to deal with the diagnosis without a voice, which can be isolating. Many of us understand what you are going through, as many of us have lost our voices or are in the process of doing so. But, if you can, try not to think of it too much as "losing your voice." Your voice is the expression of your thoughts to others, and you still have that, just in a different way. You are able to express yourself very well using your computer. At this dark time in your life, reach out to others through your computer. Write emails, texts, FB messages to those you know. What I have found in doing this early on is an outpouring of support, often from people I hardly knew. Let people know how much you are struggling. Do you belong to a church? Or do you want to be part of a church family? Seek out a priest or a pastor through email for spiritual support, if this is something you are drawn to. Faith, the Bible and church are wonderful resources of support. Know that you may feel alone, but you are not. All of us here know how devastating and overwhelming an ALS diagnosis is. Some have faced this diagnosis alone without a spouse or family. This makes it more challenging, but not impossible. The waves of grief may overwhelm you now, but you can rise above them. You will get through this. What you're going through is normal. See your doctor for some help with anti-depressants if you haven't already. Most of us are on them. Reach out for help from your ALS Society. My Society offers free counselling. Laura, I wish I could go over to your house and spend time with you today. The miles separate us. I care. We care. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep posting here, and re-reading our posts to you. Get out and do things if you can. Go to movies. An art gallery. A concert. An ALS support group. Distractions can help keep despair at bay.
- Charlene
My heart goes out to you, as you try to deal with the diagnosis without a voice, which can be isolating. Many of us understand what you are going through, as many of us have lost our voices or are in the process of doing so. But, if you can, try not to think of it too much as "losing your voice." Your voice is the expression of your thoughts to others, and you still have that, just in a different way. You are able to express yourself very well using your computer. At this dark time in your life, reach out to others through your computer. Write emails, texts, FB messages to those you know. What I have found in doing this early on is an outpouring of support, often from people I hardly knew. Let people know how much you are struggling. Do you belong to a church? Or do you want to be part of a church family? Seek out a priest or a pastor through email for spiritual support, if this is something you are drawn to. Faith, the Bible and church are wonderful resources of support. Know that you may feel alone, but you are not. All of us here know how devastating and overwhelming an ALS diagnosis is. Some have faced this diagnosis alone without a spouse or family. This makes it more challenging, but not impossible. The waves of grief may overwhelm you now, but you can rise above them. You will get through this. What you're going through is normal. See your doctor for some help with anti-depressants if you haven't already. Most of us are on them. Reach out for help from your ALS Society. My Society offers free counselling. Laura, I wish I could go over to your house and spend time with you today. The miles separate us. I care. We care. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep posting here, and re-reading our posts to you. Get out and do things if you can. Go to movies. An art gallery. A concert. An ALS support group. Distractions can help keep despair at bay.
- Charlene