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[Jasana]

352. Newbie checking in.

I'm 48 and retired. I used to be an accountant. (No, not a wall street accountant!) I was an Assistant Controller for a multi-million NFP family foundation.

I have been out of work for almost 8 years. I suddenly came down with a strange disease that left me unable to stand up long enough to brush my teeth and made my arms tremble. It took 2 years to get on disability and for that time I lived off my stocks, retirement funds and savings. By the time the doctors and the general world was finished with me I was broke... but my disability came through with two years of back wages and I hadn't hired a lawyer so the entire payment went to me. I am on SSDI and food stamps which also entitles me to a free cell phone so I don't have to try to call 911 through a computer. (This program exists in Massachusetts.)

BTW, the culprit was finally diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis. What made it so hard to diagnose is that there's another condition lying beneath it. That still has yet to be diagnosed but one neurologist is suggesting that I may have had a small series of strokes which an MRI can not pick up. In any case I am getting better very, very slowly but the consensus is I will never be able to work again so this is were I'm stuck.

I hope all this info helps you with your "demographics" idea.