Are you "disalbled" or "less abled" in retirement?

**Nightshade** · 11-11-2007, 02:27 PM

I'm "less abled" in my retirement due to wearing out my legs with
40 yrs on concrete 60>100 week. I find that I can do some things
an hour or two but then it's time to rest.

I consider myself to be very lucky to walk at all thanks to modern medical
treatments that were not availble 20 yrs ago. I consider myself also very
lucky not to be wheelchair bound as so many retirees are.

Why do I share this?

To share with the younger set that being "disabled" or "less abeled"
can happen to any one at any time. So when you plan for your golden
years plan not to be able to do the stuff you did at 20>30 yrs old and
you'll be ahead of the game if you can when retired.

**HandyMom** · 11-11-2007, 04:04 PM

I wish I had been more thoughtful while I worked. I am retired on disability.

I should have not bought a home with stairs and a yard to take care of unless I lived with someone willing/able to do the laundry and cut the grass, shovel snow and rake leaves, which I have to fight with Dd to do, if she does it at all.

I am off my feet and in a lot of pain today because I cut grass and raked leaves yesterday.

**frugal-fannie** · 12-01-2007, 12:54 AM

I am gearing up for my husbands retirement and my semi retirement, by getting in shape. We took my FIL to Lake Shasta and the walk almost did him in. That got me and my husband thinking. If we want to visit the Great Wall or walk the steps to a monument will we be capable of doing it. We are going to try and do those things we might not be able to do when we get older. God willing.

**lena owen** · 02-07-2008, 06:40 PM

ma weena retirement is a wake up call about how high everything is,we think before we spend,think before we start the car,do we really need to go there or wait awhile longer.

**dcompton** · 02-07-2008, 07:24 PM

I am not retired yet, though it's coming, but yes, I will be somewhat limited. In fact, just today I went to the DMV and got a handicap hang tag and ID, more for work than shopping, because when I hurt that much, I just don't go. But when I have pretty good knee days and do the shopping, if I overdo the least little bit (usually, since I save up errands for frugal driving), I will have some serious pain for a day or two afterward.

I agree that people sometimes envision a great footloose and fancy-free retirement, forgetting the real wild card - health. That's a very good reason to develop at least a few "sitting down" interests and hobbies. There may be more sitting down in your future than you expect.

**kaye620** · 02-07-2008, 07:33 PM

I became disabled when I was 32! I'm 36 now and having a hard time paying all those credit cards that I thought I had forever to pay. I had to learn the hard way; you never know what the future holds so plan today.

**EmilyD** · 02-07-2008, 07:36 PM

I am 55 and disabled/lessabled. My knees and back are gone and I am "too young" to have surgery yet. Walking is a terrible pain but I know if I ever get into a wheelchair that will be it.

I used my knees serving my country and now my country doesn't want to do anything to help me. I stayed home and took care of my kids instead of shoving them off on someone else and SSI doesn't count that toward my contribution to society, either.

When dh was out of work (or I was between husband's) I used my back and knees to care for others and now I have to worry what kind of person I will get to care for me when the time comes. Most caregivers nowadays just don't care.

Yeah ... retirement isn't anything I am looking forward to, either.

**pqb57** · 02-08-2008, 07:51 AM

I am 61 and disabled. I didn't take my diabetes serios enough and ended up with heart disease.

**powerfm1** · 02-08-2008, 08:06 AM

I'm disabled. Fortunately I've always lived a pretty simple life and I get by fine on my SSI (which is very, very low).

**lori121** · 02-08-2008, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by powerfm1

I'm disabled. Fortunately I've always lived a pretty simple life and I get by fine on my SSI (which is very, very low).

You sound like me...... I never thought that I would be in my 40's & be disabled. Although I've been disabled for over 10 years..

Sad thing DH got hurt a work a few years ago & now he to is disabled.

I don't shard this information much, as most people think we're just lazy. Well I would much rather be working, & making good money.

**itlw8** · 02-08-2008, 12:26 PM

I ruined my knees by being over weight, cralling on the floor with babies and the jarring activities I did in school

life was not good and I was only 50 so I bit the bullet and had a total knee replacement... WOW has my life changed.... I can be active again... our debt took a big hit even though we had great medical ins.

So knowing in 5 or more years I will have to have the other knee replaced we are getting our finances in order including 6 months living expenses is the goal

and as we are in our 50's with elderly parents we try to keep that in mind when making improvements and even buying a car.

But having a total knee replacement tollaly changed my life for the better.

**very_inky_fingers** · 02-29-2008, 03:01 PM

I was injured at work 7 years ago and have not worked since. My hubby will be joining me in retirement next month and I am so worried that I will be a burden on him. I am trying to stop a life-time overspending habit. It is quite scary! Mary GW

**themartins903** · 02-29-2008, 03:18 PM

My husband is disabled (traumatic brain injury) he was hurt in the line of duty. SSI doesn't pay much but it helps.

**mombottoo** · 03-02-2008, 08:42 PM

My husband is retired due to a work related disability. Luckily we paid for additional long term disability insurance while he was working. So between the two (long term & ssdi) we do fine. Our youngest child suffered a TBI (traumatic brain injury) in an auto accident shortly after my husband was injured...that was a wake up call from out of nowhere.

We are very thankful for what we have and consider ourselves very fortunate.