The Journey

I am educated. I worked as a therapist/social worker. I never went without employment. I woke up in August of 2013 to falling down/vertigo/falling into walls/vomiting and my vision was so blurry I could not see. My body had weakness/my head was pounding and I was afraid I was having a stroke. I did not even have a PCP. I was too busy taking care of consumers I served in the community. I had the journey of all journeys. Sleep apnea occurred/then AFIB/ then Lymes disease/then passing out/then confusion/getting lost/anxiety/depression/balance/coordination/memory/multi-tasking/vision-nystagmus/bobbling etc. Mayo clinic twice for vestibular dx. Couldn’t look up or go in Reverse. Couldn’t leave home. Motion/Noise/Light drove me crazy and triggered migraines. Found surgeon after 2 in a half years in Chicago- CFS blocked- chiari one malformation( yes it ruined my life) cranietocmy with durplasty/c1/2 cut down. Some improvement but two years later still have major behavior/personality changes. Atypical bipolar/OCPD/Anxiety/major depression/cant muti-task/get confused still/mild cognitive impairment/narcolepsy/sleep apnea/ daily migraines/thought processing problems/still sleep on ice due to neck is constantly swollen/ currently in PT/OT/ST. Not enough people understand what Chiari is. Not enough data. I don’t fit in anywhere. I am filed for disability( not that kind that wants a check for the heck of it). I have no choice. I just got denied again. Indiana does not recognize it nor do they care. I guess since I had the surgery I am good to go. THAT IS NOT THE CASE FOR ME. I am glad for some it is, but I guess I am the majority that bounces back. I have given this all I have. I have trouble with psych, but with vertigo/vision/simple instructions and will even forget oven is hot. This needs to be advocated more. Please pay attention to this topic. I am a fighter. I am trying. I am about to loose my fight. I am about to say its over.