Sunday, January 15, 2012

Conventional Wisdom

Conventional wisdom says go to college and you can get a good job. I did. Then the recession hit and I lost my job.

Conventional wisdom says you should have six-months salary in savings in case you lose your job. I did. That is all gone,a long time ago.

Conventional wisdom says put your money into a retirement account and let it grow.
I did. But I eventually had to use most of it just to pay my mortgage and medical bills and avoid living under a bridge.

Conventional wisdom says buy a house... It's your best investment. I did. Now, my house is underwater and is not worth the mortgage we owe on it.

Conventional wisdom says you can refinance your house and use the money from that. I can't. Our house dropped $200,000 in value in the housing bust.

Conventional wisdom says the Golden years of the best. They're not.

Conventional wisdom says everything is all right as long as you have your health.
I don't. I was diagnosed several years ago with a neuromuscular disease. I can't walk. I can't drive. My husband has to cook my meals and cut my meat for me.

Conventional wisdom says things will get better. I certainly hope so.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Bonnie,

    I don't know if you remember me, but I had spoken with you and e-mailed you a few times a couple years ago with the Advance to Wellness program. That program has since ended and I have gone on to graduate school to be an Occupational Therapist. I thought of you the other day and did some searching and ended up finding your blog and couple articles about you!! I can't even begin to tell you how proud of you I am!! I remember back when I worked with you how proactive you were in terms of searching for services that could assist you. As an Occupational Therapy student, I am even more proud of you because of how you have adapted aspects of your life so that having a disability does not stop your life...rather just slows it down a little.

    I want to wish you and your husband all the best! Keep up the great work advocating for yourself and keep doing those things that you love. You are truly an inspiration and I can assure you that this blog is an inspiration to other people reading it as well!

    -Lauren
    (LaurenEFoster@aol.com)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you... I think I do remember you. In fact I think I owe you a big thank you for putting me in touch with the ILRS in AZ. They helped me get some home modifications that literally changed my life.

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