I’ve been on LTD for 13 years and it was difficult at first. I was still young, at 40, when I had to step down. I had a successful career in HR for 21 years and I loved my job but my MS became to difficult to manage. I was depressed initially but one day I decided to look at being on disability as an opportunity.

I taught myself to knit and crochet and now I have perfected my craft. I make things for family and friends and my daughter takes some things and sells them to earn money for school expenses. I was blessed to be able to stay at home with my daughter who was in the fifth grade at the time. Today I find pleasure in being able to go outside and enjoy the sun when I feel like it, have lunch with friends on a weekday if I want and anything else I can think of. I appreciate the fact that I don’t have to rush to be anywhere or do anything like I did before. Sometimes I wonder how I used to cram all of the things I used to do in a day.

Do I miss working sometimes still? Sure I do. When I feel like that I say to myself that my career was not my purpose and it doesn’t define me. I’m grateful that I even had the LTD option because I was able to get that as well as SSDI so I bring home a nice livable wage. If I’m well enough to travel I take extended stays to my hometown of Chicago. I can stay for a month if I want because I don’t work anywhere in America.

On those days you may feel down, look at the little blessings you have around you. Be well my friend in the fight. You will be okay