I Graduated

I walked across the stage today and graduated with my Masters degree in Education. It felt like a tremendous accomplishment considering all the symptoms I've been having. I felt a little self conscious because my neck was really spasming and my head was bobbing really bad. A couple of people asked me what was wrong. I had to explain that I might have MS but they haven't officially diagnosed it. We had to stand for an hour a half before being able to sit down inside the gym. By the time we proceeded in and we had to stand in our rows in front of the audience. I was afraid the fatigue was going to cause my legs to cramp up and I would have to limp across the stage. I sat down even though everyone else was standing up. The nun, who was welcoming everyone down the aisle, asked me if I was OK as my tassel bobbed back and forth and the flimsy plastic chair bounced because my neck was causing my whole body to move. It got really embarrassing when one of the other students asked me if I was OK. I just said yes and looked down. Even though I was sitting in the second row, I was glad my family couldn't see me with all of the other students in the way. Well, anyways, I made it across the stage without a limp and received my diploma.

[PastorDan]

Congratulations!  That is a fantastic accomplishment!  May God bless you in days ahead with students who want to learn, and may He strengthen your body to carry you to every place He wants you to serve.

[rendean]

Congratulations on your great achievement!! I'm glad your symptoms didn't prevent you from walking across the stage to be recognized for your fantastic accomplishment!

Ren

[Erin0313]

  Congratulations!!!! You should be very proud. It sounds like it was quite a challenge just to attend the ceremony but you did it! :)

  If I had my Masters Degree I would be on top of the world. I am proud just to be working part time and doing a few chores around the house.

I hope that you have years of happiness and fun teaching. Your strength will change the lives of many students. Congrats again!

Erin :)

[artspaz]

This is actually one of my fears. I'm afraid I've got this diploma and now what. What if my symptoms get really bad and I'm not physically able to teach. Teaching art is a really physical thing. I'm constantly walking around the room and giving students feedback on their drawings. The other day I thought I was going to go home because I was feeling really bad, but then I started thinking about getting my finals printed and making sure my seniors are ready to go, etc. I just didn't want anything to go wrong. Besides, somehow they ran out of subs. So, they sent over the substitutes that were already in the building to come help me out. I figured it was nice to have someone else in the room in case I started feeling really bad. The kids are starting to notice and are asking questions. Can you believe one of them, after I told them that I wasn't feeling well said, "So, what, a lot of people don't feel well and have to get through the day." I told them a lot of people don't have a debilitating disease that they'll probably have for the rest of their life, either. I tried to tell myself that they don't understand because they haven't had a serious illness touch their lives or someone close to them. I hope that they bookmarked this memory into their brains and realize how stupid they were for saying that, but people who make comments like that don't reflect on the things they do.

I was thinking an alternative if I have to go down that road is going back to graphic design. I could freelance and work from home from my laptop computer. Here I wouldn't really be using my Masters. I also could do special education, which is more one on one with the students. I might have to take some more classes to get certified. Let's just hope I don't have to go down these roads, but I was interested in hearing your opinions. I always like to think ahead and have all my options available.

[Lulu54]

Congratulations on finishing this  step in your career choice - finishing you masters while working and dealing with this MiSerable disease is no small accomplishmnts.  Please take some time to celebrate and put the future worries aside for a few days.

Well done!
Lulu

[Erin0313]

  I'm with Lulu.

   We tend to spend too much time worrying about whether or not we will be able to do things. When the time comes you will deal with it and probably amaze yourself.

  Until then, be happy and celebrate everything that you have accomplished. You have done things that healthy people don't achieve!!! Don't forget that and party your butt off ( well do something fun anyway)

Erin :)

[Guitar_grrrl]

Congratulations!  Yayyy!  

I'm with Erin and LuLu on this - go ahead and make plans for yourself.  If we worry about how our bodies are going to be in the future, we might miss out on some wonderful stuff!  Be well, party hearty, and make constructive plans.

Guitar_grrrl

[b125]

Congratulations!  That's a huge accomplishment, and you have every right to be proud of it. I agree, make plans as you have been - you will find what works best for you both for your goals and for your body. Large classrooms aren't all there is; perhaps you can find a smaller setting, if need be, which would be easier for you. I do understand from my own art background how graphic design doesn't necessarily fulfill the same desires as teaching - there's a more spiritual element missing that teaching provides. If you would work from home doing design, would there be any market in your area to start personal art training on the side?

[missy142]

hi,

Congratulations!!!!  I was an art major at one time and I had to drop out due to some family problems and it broke my heart.  I never unfortunately got back to it, but i loved it. I loved to draw and paint and was just getting into photoshop classes etc.  You certainly should be proud of yourself, what a wonderful accomplishment.  

Teach in good health!  You will always be an artist NO MATTER what you do, as you know.  You will never be able NOT to create no matter what road/s you go down and where life takes you.

Good luck and good health to you!
missy

[jensequitur]

I was diagnosed in 2007, and I thought for sure I'd be on disability in a few months.  I felt just terrible - fatigued all the time, and I couldn't make it through 8 hours without taking a nap at work.  Plus I had trouble putting sentences together, and if you can't talk, it's difficult to communicate.

Well, I did get better.  Some of my symptoms have resolved, while others have stuck around, but are diminished.  Some new symptoms have appeared.  

What I find helps me is the need to be on task at work.  I'm needed at my job to help out - we're short of staff as it is.  If we weren't so busy all the time, I'd be going home to sleep and rest.  Instead I stick it out, finish my eight hours, then go home.

It's amazing what you can accomplish, even if you feel crummy.  I would go for it - pursue teaching, but make sure your employers understand your diagnosis.  If you're applying for a teaching position in a public school, they are required by law to hire you if you're capable of doing the job.  You don't know where you're going to be in a few years.  You may decline further, or you may stay right where you are.

[michelleric]

Just wanted to add my congratulation to you as well. A big step for you, you should be proud of yourself!  As to the future, one day at a time...just enjoy today!
Michelle

[Eyesnlegs]

Congratulations - that is some achivevement - stop worrying about what you can and can't do and face that when the opportunities arise.

Just to give you some encouragement:

I had ON (my first sx) at age 34 when my youngest was 3 years old and at age 37 returned to University and achieved a first class BSc at age 41.

After graduation and working for a short time I was offered a job as a lecturer by the University and immediately began a Masters degree.

This was achieved some 3 years later and straight after that I started a PhD part-time whilst still lecturing. I have just a few weeks ago handed in my PhD and am awaiting the result.

I did  all this before any dx of MS, but  just thinking I was mad, neurotic, hypochondriac(for a lecturer my spelling is awful). During that time I have suffered all kinds of things: sensory problems, more ON, fatigue, seizures, leg issues.

I have also raised 4 kids - with more than a little help from a very supportive partner.

Only know is the MS having more of an effect on me and I have struggled more, as I like to walk amongst my students too - mainly because if I don't I can't hear what they say, sometimes I see 2 of them - lol !!! On really bad days I just have to wind up early and go home, but that is rare.

I now ask them to speak up and sit on a desk at the front lecturing. I have a colleague who is paraplegic and lectures from her wheelchair and is an inspiration to me as she has 2 young children too, mine are now all grown up.

All of this is not to brag but just to show you what can be achieved not in a hurry but over the course of time.

So slow down, stop worrying, marvel at what you have achieved in spite of you recent sx's and celebrate what the future may hold - then wait for it to happen.


So very, very well done.

Pat
x

[artspaz]

Thanks for all of the encouragement everyone.