40 year old guy who recently left the work force. I was DX with MS at 31 but first had signs at 28. I worked for as long as I could but when I got fired from my second job in 2 years for being incompetent and too many absences I realized it was time to let go of work. I have been taking freelance jobs while waiting for disability, I just got a hearing scheduled for March 17th YAY. My wife was always a stay at home mom to our 3 kids and with her having to go back to work I have had to become Mr. Mom but with the added issue of MS. So this is just a few observations on the topic for anyone who cares.
Cooking: I was always a terrible cook (when I tried to help out before I once burned water) The kids have accused me of my food growling at them. So I started out small and easy Mac and Cheese, Grilled cheese and soup, frozen pizza etc. Meanwhile I used free time to read how to cook online. I began once a week finding a recipe then learning every step along the way. I was so proud the first time I diced and sauteed an onion! Now I have a few "complex" dishes that I can do Enchiladas, Broccoli and Alfredo Rotini with grilled chicken, Alton Brown's baked mac and cheese (ha Kraft you are never allowed in this house again!) What I ran into though is the difficulty following complex instructions. I would read a recipe and then when it came time to execute I could never deal with all the steps, solution laptop in the kitchen recipe pulled up online so I can take it step by step referring back to it as necessary. I do all the mise en place first which really helps keep me from missing an ingredient or letting something else burn. It still happens but 4 nights out of 5 my food not only does not growl but gets eaten to the bottom of the bowl. It has been a challenge between issues standing and issues following directions but I have learned to adapt and now actually have fun cooking.
Dishes: I don't mind dishes no instructions to follow wash load wash load drop a tab and run! I got a tall stool I can sit on when my legs aren't up to it. I do have the kids unload to cut back on the standing.
Vacuuming: My 13 year old is a bit obsessive about anything on the floor I don't have to vacuum he does it a couple times a week on his own. Super YAY!
Laundry: This is where it is hard I am obsessive about how things are loaded and folded so while the kids are willing to help I don't really want them to. I tried to let them and it drove me nuts. So I have to do this myself and unfortunately laundry is down stairs. I have found if I drop everything off the landing upstairs I have a much easier time getting down to it. Some days I have to sit on my but and scooch down the stairs but usually dangling from the railings gives me enough support. It does kill me to stand there and fold stuff but I can't get good folds sitting down. Not sure if my obsession will have to back down or I'll have to find another answer.
Money: This has been the killer I was the bread winner for the first 18 years of our marriage and I made good bread. Sadly after 18 years as a stay at home mom without a college degree my wife's earning potential just is not as high as mine was. So not only am I having to learn how to be Mr. Mom but I am having to learn how to do it on a budget. She is getting there as she gets time in the work force and employers see how great she is she gets promotions and raises quickly but I don't see her ever pulling in 50k a year. Disability will help with that but that is still months away and there is of course the chance I will be denied ... again.
So the house isn't quite as clean as it used to be, the food isn't quite as good and the money has become a memory but we are hanging in there.
Just a brief ramble on my life and my MS.
Cooking: I was always a terrible cook (when I tried to help out before I once burned water) The kids have accused me of my food growling at them. So I started out small and easy Mac and Cheese, Grilled cheese and soup, frozen pizza etc. Meanwhile I used free time to read how to cook online. I began once a week finding a recipe then learning every step along the way. I was so proud the first time I diced and sauteed an onion! Now I have a few "complex" dishes that I can do Enchiladas, Broccoli and Alfredo Rotini with grilled chicken, Alton Brown's baked mac and cheese (ha Kraft you are never allowed in this house again!) What I ran into though is the difficulty following complex instructions. I would read a recipe and then when it came time to execute I could never deal with all the steps, solution laptop in the kitchen recipe pulled up online so I can take it step by step referring back to it as necessary. I do all the mise en place first which really helps keep me from missing an ingredient or letting something else burn. It still happens but 4 nights out of 5 my food not only does not growl but gets eaten to the bottom of the bowl. It has been a challenge between issues standing and issues following directions but I have learned to adapt and now actually have fun cooking.
Dishes: I don't mind dishes no instructions to follow wash load wash load drop a tab and run! I got a tall stool I can sit on when my legs aren't up to it. I do have the kids unload to cut back on the standing.
Vacuuming: My 13 year old is a bit obsessive about anything on the floor I don't have to vacuum he does it a couple times a week on his own. Super YAY!
Laundry: This is where it is hard I am obsessive about how things are loaded and folded so while the kids are willing to help I don't really want them to. I tried to let them and it drove me nuts. So I have to do this myself and unfortunately laundry is down stairs. I have found if I drop everything off the landing upstairs I have a much easier time getting down to it. Some days I have to sit on my but and scooch down the stairs but usually dangling from the railings gives me enough support. It does kill me to stand there and fold stuff but I can't get good folds sitting down. Not sure if my obsession will have to back down or I'll have to find another answer.
Money: This has been the killer I was the bread winner for the first 18 years of our marriage and I made good bread. Sadly after 18 years as a stay at home mom without a college degree my wife's earning potential just is not as high as mine was. So not only am I having to learn how to be Mr. Mom but I am having to learn how to do it on a budget. She is getting there as she gets time in the work force and employers see how great she is she gets promotions and raises quickly but I don't see her ever pulling in 50k a year. Disability will help with that but that is still months away and there is of course the chance I will be denied ... again.
So the house isn't quite as clean as it used to be, the food isn't quite as good and the money has become a memory but we are hanging in there.
Just a brief ramble on my life and my MS.
She does take the trash and recycling out though and helps with yard work.
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