Disclaimer: I don't claim to be an expert. The stuff in this email could be false. If you use it, use it at your own risk. Also, since about 7/05, I've earnestly tried to keep my large-scale internet presence politically/religiously neutral. Stepping on big toes with such new and powerful technology seems highly incautious in my case.
From Dinah:
"My problem is dealing with feeling of anger and worthlessness.
...
I know y'all are saying go out there and get education, it's not too late. But my entire back is fused and it has really started to bother me in the last couple of years. (Scoliosis-- .... "
Wow! Another Ex-JW with bad scoliosis! 35 degree and 25 degree S-curve scoliosis here.
I felt bad when I heard about your back-surgery. I've been lucky enough to avoid that so far.
I've also had feelings of anger and worthlessness. I don't intend to say what I was angry about, because it is too political (see disclaimer); but, I can talk about the feelings of worthlessness and my attempts at a remedy.
With the scoliosis and "being broke," I feel like a nearly-discarded freak sometimes. It has been hard for me to find a job at times because young men often find their usefulness to an employer partly through their physical strength. Also, I may not look like a cripple at first; but, people think that there is something wrong with me, and they just can't place it, so they get suspicious. I was called "stuck up" behind my back a few times at a period in time when the scoliosis pulled my head back so that it looked as if I was looking down my nose at people. Most people don't think. They just react.
Eh. I don't feel like talking about my attempts at a remedy right now. But if you would like that, I suppose I could. I hope that my silly little experience at least helps you to feel less alone.
About therapy: I've been thinking a little about that too recently. I called one counselor and got his answering machine. I don't think that I need it right now, though. Maybe if I could start making more money, I could afford it...
Doh! I forgot about your situation for a second. I think that the information provided by the others about hotlines was interesting; but, I don't know of any such hotlines. Maybe they could tell us. :)
