Hello, my name is
Rain and I was medically diagnosed with M.E. (myalgic
encephalomyelitis) in 1986 and FM in 1990. The onset of these
diseases brought with them a cluster of medical and physical
problems, including seizures and a coma that lasted 2 days.
I struggled at work from 1986 to 2002.
I went on Permanent Disability in 2002 after a total
collapse at work put me in the hospital for several days.
Currently, the seizures are under control.
I live in
Camarillo
,
California
in a small room that I rent from a very nice family in a very nice
part of town. I’ve
had to scale my life down dramatically. I live as simply as
possible and find that being alone is best for me, due to what I
deal with everyday. After 15 years of marriage, I divorced and had
to move a few times before settling here.
I am 55 years old,
and over the last two years found my passion for music.
I have written upwards of 30 songs in the last year and am
working on putting 2 CD’s together. I’ve played guitar for
over 30 years and I have performed for the last year in
Ventura
County
at coffee houses, parties, and open mics but because it’s so
physically demanding, I’ve had to stop.
Now I perform for Senior Facilities and work on the CD’s
when I have the energy.
I have a 25 year
old daughter and best friend named Aria and she is in her last
year of college. Her
major is music and theatre arts . . . chip off the old block.
I have been a
minister, a poet and writer for many years and some of my poetry
is on this site, which Val has generously posted faithfully as I
give her things. This
is a wonderful site and I am so grateful to her for bringing it to
the women (and man) here, so we can relax and enjoy everyone’s
creativity and input.
I have known the
people on this chat since 1998 when I was desperately trying to
find a support group and was having little luck in the outside
world. I turned to the
internet and found this amazing chat that offers a world of
concise education and information, emotional support and ongoing
friendships, making life with chronic diseases less hopeless.
We are the unsung heroes and
warriors of invisible diseases that impact our lives everyday in
ways that, to normal people, seem unimaginable and most of the
time, unbelievable. We
have fought for our rights and respect and care for over 30 years.
We will continue to support and protect each other in this
struggle, so welcome to hope J
