Another Year Housebound....

[Cinnabar]

Today - a whole host of emotions.... Anger, depressed, antsy, lonely, hopeless (will I ever be able to live in the world again?). I'm looking into bus schedules - transfer here and then there - too complicated for me to deal with right now. I've gotten so used to staying stuck. I was looking forward to driving again this April but of course I had to have a grand mal in February...and so another year not driving. So many things I've taken for granted I now miss. Even going to Rite Aid for an errand. Against my moral code I even called my neurologist and asked if I could drive. "NO"! Of course I knew that would be the answer. I'm sure I'm not alone, here. Would appreciate hearing from someone...vent or offer even little solutions! Always - Laurie

[RobinN]

Do you ever treat yourself to a trip via train to Manhattan?
Of course I can not imagine not driving, and my daughter might have to face that fact too.

As the price of gas goes up, more and more will be finding alternative transportation. Are you a bike rider? Is Rite Aid too far to walk? I have been considering adding my errands to my morning walk.

[Bernard]

{{{{Laurie}}}}

The loss of independence/freedom is tough to deal with. Is mass transit on Long Island the same as in Manhattan? Seemed like you really didn't need a car to get around over there.

[brain]

(((((((( Laurie )))))))))

My heart goes out with you; join in the
same boat with me. When I asked my
Doctors the same question, even though
I had surrendered my own Driver's License
voluntarily on my own without them even
asking me to ~ I did inquire if I would be
able to drive - their answer? "NO!"
They were very doubtful I would ever drive!

However, are you able to ride a bicycle? I
cycle everywhere as much as I possibility
can, since everything is close by - including
all of my Doctors, the only exception is the
weather (if bad) and grocery shopping (the
big ones) - my mom or one of my son's buddy's
parents may take me down. All my bus lines
here go no where (so that's out of the question
for me).

I am not familiar with New York, but they do have an
Epilepsy Foundation up there and you may want to
consult with them, or through your Neurologist or
Epileptologist - who should be able to provide you
the local support group where you can obtain info
and specifics. So they should have discounts for
disabled and handicap people if you meet the criteria,
my own State had been given the chopping block on
this area - so it's been 'hasta la bye bye' on my end.

However with so many States, Counties, Cities,
et cetera - having Budget cuts, I wouldn't be
surprised, if there weren't any available. Mine had
been given the "cut-throat" multiple times and is
about to be given the final chopping block to end
it permanently.

My heart goes out for you! Transportation is both
vital and needed, but with soaring fuel prices, the
insurance prices, the difficulties to even obtain any
transportation has to be an extreme heartache and
added stress!

[tinasmom]

Laurie -

Have you checked to see if there are any county programs that offer transporting people? I know here we have a county program and our hospital has transportation available for appointments. The county program has volunteers that drive people where they need to go so the cost is minimal.

I upsets me when cuts are made to programs that are needed the most. I guess the people making these decisions have never had to rely on someone else or alternative ways of getting around to get somewhere. It sure would be great to have these people live just one day in someone's life that uses these services, maybe then they would understand.

[Cinnabar]

I can't magine not driving, and my daughter might have to face that fact too.

As the price of gas goes up, more and more will be finding alternative transportation. Are you a bike rider? Is Rite Aid too far to walk? I have been considering adding my errands to my morning walk.

I haven't taken a a train or bus since I lived in Manhattan. That was nearly fifteen years of buses and subways. About seven years ago I took a trip to Manhattan and in a vacant subway I was close to being gang raped by five hoods. Never returned since.

I'm nestled in Sound Beach Long Island, now, and there is only a deli and fire station within walking distance. I suppose I could get a sandwich and hang out with the fire men...of course, I'm kidding! I'm looking into Suffolk County transportation. A burdon with all the transfers but it's worth it to get back to my writer's group. I'd like to get in some visits to Riverhead - a very artsy town where I gave a reading a few years ago and have since re-visited for some years. Forty minutes away - crazy transfers. I guess I fear I'll be overwhelmed by all this after over a year being in statis. I'm close by the Sound - ten minutes walking distance -I could pop in my IPOD, and once at the beach meditate and/or read. Might be a good starting point to mass transit. Thanks Robin. Always - Laurie

[Cinnabar]

{{{{Laurie}}}}

The loss of independence/freedom is tough to deal with. Is mass transit on Long Island the same as in Manhattan? Seemed like you really didn't need a car to get around over there.

Much more complicated navigating bus routes than in Manhattan. But I'm determined to master it - a small route in a few weeks, when hopefully this rain stops. Last year I was so devastated being diagnosed with Temporal Lobe Epilespy I didn't want to go anywhere. Just looking at the MRI kept me from wanting to leave my neurologist's office. My left hippocampal volume is 50% less the my right hippocampal area. Now, I'm having tonic clonic seizures but that is a subject with questions I'll post later.

So, now I'm really missing my car...think I'll clean it this weekend! Pun intended...I'm only driving myself to a dead end if I don't handle this year differently. Thanks Bernard. Always - Laurie

[Cinnabar]

(((((((( Laurie )))))))))

My heart goes out with you; join in the
same boat with me. When I asked my
Doctors the same question, even though
I had surrendered my own Driver's License
voluntarily on my own without them even
asking me to ~ I did inquire if I would be
able to drive - their answer? "NO!"
They were very doubtful I would ever drive!

However, are you able to ride a bicycle? I
cycle everywhere as much as I possibility
can, since everything is close by - including
all of my Doctors, the only exception is the
weather (if bad) and grocery shopping (the
big ones) - my mom or one of my son's buddy's
parents may take me down. All my bus lines
here go no where (so that's out of the question
for me).

I am not familiar with New York, but they do have an
Epilepsy Foundation up there and you may want to
consult with them, or through your Neurologist or
Epileptologist - who should be able to provide you
the local support group where you can obtain info
and specifics. So they should have discounts for
disabled and handicap people if you meet the criteria,
my own State had been given the chopping block on
this area - so it's been 'hasta la bye bye' on my end.

However with so many States, Counties, Cities,
et cetera - having Budget cuts, I wouldn't be
surprised, if there weren't any available. Mine had
been given the "cut-throat" multiple times and is
about to be given the final chopping block to end
it permanently.

My heart goes out for you! Transportation is both
vital and needed, but with soaring fuel prices, the
insurance prices, the difficulties to even obtain any
transportation has to be an extreme heartache and
added stress!

Thanks Sharon. I think I'll be calling my neurologist about alterate transportation. Hoping he'll have some information. There is a SCAT bus for persons with disabilites but the schedule is very limited - for example if you want to go somewhere they might pick you up at
8am, get you to your destination. Then who knows when they'll pick you up to get home? Always - Laurie

[Cinnabar]

Tinasmom - I'm also upset about cuts! I'd like to see Bush sitting on the bench in Pt Jeff Sta waiting for a bus with all those he's managed to keep down. Always - Laurie

[RobinN]

I haven't taken a a train or bus since I lived in Manhattan. That was nearly fifteen years of buses and subways. About seven years ago I took a trip to Manhattan and in a vacant subway I was close to being gang raped by five hoods. Never returned since.

Even I... one of many that live in my car here in SoCA, was willing on my last two trips to NY, to take the train. It has changed so much in recent years. Of course I wouldn't do it alone and at night. Try with a friend and see the difference. Making good choices is important in many situations. Not much fun living in a bubble.

Sounds like in your local area that a bicycle would be a fun way to get out. Or be very European, and get a Vespa. But then it is amazing how far one can get with walking. You could make a game out of it. I know I have seen some walking blogs, with folks highlighting their route, with pictures. I enjoy one that stops along the way to do a sketch, and returns to share on her blog. You might find others near you willing to do the same, and make it a social time.

http://onemilefromhome.blogspot.com/

[Bernard]

Another option: Segway transporters - no drivers license required