sfriedner

Hi, I am new to this forum. I am dealing with a simillar issue. I am 29 and look very healthy on the outside. I don't walk with any visible limitation, but I have a blood pooling problem that is really sensitive to heat. I just recieved a handicapped parking permit because I faint and become disoriented if I have to walk too far in the heat. I used to get lost in many parking lots and had major problems getting to and from my car in the summer heat. I get a lot of strange looks from people when I get out of my car. No one has said anything yet, but I am just waiting for the day when I am confronted. I am sorry you had to go through that! It's hard enough having to deal with a disability let alone people who are judging it that don't even know what they are talking about.

Hi everyone, my name is Sarah. I am a 29 year old mom of 2 girls. I just started back at school (from scratch) and am going down the path of becoming a nurse. I have a condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (pots). It is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system that causes my blood to pool in my feet upon standing or if I stay in a single position too long. I am also very sensitive to heat. This condition has changed me from a distance runner to using a wheelchair part time. I can walk around and even run just like most people, but if I stand for more than a few minutes my heart rate increases to over 130 and my bp drops. (I will eventually faint if I stand too long.) I have had this for the past 5 years. I have wanted to become a nurse for several years now. I decided I am going to try because I am so tired of giving up on my dreams and calling because of a disability. The problem is that my disability is invisible. I look healthy on the outside but am in a constant battle with gravity on the inside!) Most people and medical professionals I know have never even heard of it. I have had a hard time getting recognized as having a disability. I have also learned that when it is seen as a disability, people treat me differently even though they know it is unfair. Even my own family an some close friends don't take my dreams seriously and are always discouraging me with remarks like: "how are you going to take care of sick people when you are always sick?" or "you can't even stand up and walk around the mall, how will you walk around a big hospital?" Sometimes I feel like I might as well just give up and lay around moaning all day like some people think sick people should! I am tired of people telling me I can't or shouldn't. I want to prove to them that I can and will accomplish my dreams in spite of my disability. The first thing I need advice on is: Do any of you that are nurses working in the field now ever use a wheelchair at work? Am I really crazy for even asking this? Do any hospitals ever allow this? I know I will be a great nurse and probably won't need to use a wheelchair alot, but there are some days when my bp is so wacky that I need to have a chair available so I can be the most alert. I look forward to reading your threads and getting to know you guys. I really need a support system of people that can help me get through all of the adversity I have been facing latley.