Physical Problems

In June 2011, I had a small stroke or "mini stroke" which put me in the hospital for a long weekend here in Bellingham. It was the result of very high blood pressure.

I am still dealing with those problems. It is affecting my sense of balance in a negative way, especially when I try to tote luggage; but also it's affecting my typing, which has always been fast and accurate in the past. I managed to type the preceding sentence only after a great deal of struggle just now. I am starting to realize that it is approaching the level of a physical disability which affects my ability to do my work for employers. Dittto for the kind of physical work I might do for the kind of jobs one might get from Ready Temp and the like. It's a most distressing realization. It seem to have a lot to do with finger strength and also with accuracy of placement. I am noticing it on the computers here at the Bellingham library. There is a very noticeable numbness in my fingers.

If I had to be disabled, I would rather be disabled in a way which wouldn't affect my ability to blog and do other things online. But I may not have a choice in the matter.

Other issues, such as the fact that I now have a serious case of scabies thanks to sleeping at the Lighthouse Mission in Bellingham for the past week or so, compound the difficulty. Regarding my hand, being put out in the cold this morning created a bit of minor frostbite in my hands. That may be affecting the typing too.

I really need some serious ongoing help, probably in the form of monetary disability insurance payments.