I am a 49 year old and I am telling you my story I did always have a hard time in school but when I was sixteen I got very sick and went into a coma at home the doctor rushed to my house and I was rushed to the hospital I never knew what happen! I was told I had the last rites and was in Coma for over 56 hours had blood tranfusions and in acute care for many days and at that time they did not have the technology as they do today.

No-one knew if I was Brain Damage till two years ago when I could not pass my stateboards. I could not beleive I had tutoring but I cannot memorize well. I failed this exam four times and then I ask my psycologist if I could be tested for Disabilities! Lol and behold the first test was a intelligence test showed that Learning Disabled and low intelligence. I was devistated,so then I went to a nueropsycologist and was tested for Disabilities and when I told him about Acute Spinal Menaghtis he used another test which showed no disabilities but Brain Damage.After this test also I lost a position at my workplace which I feel I was to honest about my disability! I stayed and work as a CNA also for about six months and left to work somewhere else.

I have been advocating for myself for about 3 yrs now and did start a Adult Learning Disability Support group which faded out quickly. Have tried to write to many politicians to help me change laws about testing.Noone responds!

I am getting involved with a cognitive rehabilitation program in my community which just started and I am looking forward to that and now maybe I will feel belong now somewhere.

I do have alot to be thankful for a great husband and daughter who are my life but I need to suceed in my endeavors and I want to be on top in my community.

One thing I want to say that I am glad I found this site and the people who share the same problems as me we do have depressive eppisodes but I will help people who are like me and I know you people will help me too.

I did have to give up my dream of being a Assistant Social Worker but now I want to help people like Me!

I hope someone who has any insight of laws to respond to me to help someone who will have a easier road than I,laws will probally not change in my lifetime but maybe in the future.

Sincerely Yours,
Mary M.Wheeler

Email Mary