I'm a Business Analyst in the Customer Service Department of The Montana Power Company. I have many and varied interests which include off the grid information and self reliance information, disABILITY issues, camping, fishing, canoeing, sailing, computers, and political activism
A Personal History: In hopes that it will help someone with Spina Bifida: Hi, I look at my page and wondered if I could make a difference and a contribution. Then I thought how many people do you know with spina bifida or other disability and how successful they are and from what point they came from. Then I thought well you certainly do know a lot about what it is like to have spina bifida. So here goes!!! I was born October, of 1951, my mother went into a deep depression and of course blamed herself for the birth defect. With the help of the medical staff at the time and their knowledge of the birth defect. I under went my first surgery at age three weeks, the surgeon planted sheep fat to cover and protect the defect area. This surgery caused the loss of feeling in most of my legs, and the loss of full function in this area also. When I was born all the toes and leg operated normally. I spent some time at Shodair Hospital in Helena, MT. from age 0 to 4 after that time for physical therapy. By the time I was seven years old I was able to walk to first grade and was somewhat stable on my feet. I walked with the aide of 2 braces. My first memory of disabled discrimination took place in first grade at St. Paul Elementary School. The nun kept hitting me with here yard stick and telling me to walk or stand up straight. That only lasted one day, when my mother got through with that nun I was lucky to get scolded for the bad things I did at recess. Another great memory was of my Uncle Allen, who always stood up for me. I remember him telling my mother you can make an invalid out of him or you can allow him to become a man its up to you. He insisted that I be allow to do what ever I could. My second surgery took place in Butte, MT, with a Dr. Davidson. The surgery was to fuse my ankle on my right foot, the surgery did not take. My Mother asked the doctor what were the changes that a second surgery would be successful. He indicated that he was not about to give it any chance. My Mother then told him well you not going to get a second opportunity to carve on my son. (About age seven) My next surgery did not take place until I was nine years old. This surgery took place at the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children in Spokane, WA. and so did the next 10 or so. This first surgery was to fuse my ankles both at once. This surgery was successful. My left small toe. ( it had got a decubitus when in the cast and healed bent in half) The next surgery was on my right knee. My right hip. I had the usual decubitus with the hip surgery and was in isolation for several months while it healed. ( I'm sure that I missed some surgeries because I recall having one surgery for every year of age when I was 18 ) My most recent surgery was to repair a broken left femur that happen in June 1997 while I was changing the oil in my vehicle. I had my right knee fused when I turned 16, this probably the end of my walking for the most part. Up to that point I was able to do most anything on loft strands. The right knee being fused was both a curse and a blessing. It now allows me to stand while I get into the car and load the wheelchair and it is difficult to load that right leg . I still believe it is more of a blessing. At about age 14 I had taken the Studebaker Lark for a ride with dad, he was truly patient. As we rounded a curve on Cable Road he said OK turn here, I was driving with these legs not hand controls. I said OK and began to turn, I was doing about 40 miles per hour, he quickly grabbed the wheel and applied the brake. That was the end of my first lesson and last lesson without hand controls, I did not blame him at all I was frantic. The first car was an important point in my independence. If I wanted to go to the football game I could. If I needed to go to the doctor I could do that on my own. John Shea introduced me to the possibility of this independence. He had been hurt in an automobile accident and came to my home to show me how he drove. I never took a ride and look at the floor of a vehicle before this, I just keep watching as the hand controls applied the brake and gas. College was a good time. I am OK in the intelligence level. I did have to work for the grades. I enjoyed the social interaction with other persons with disabilities and everyone really. My first attempt at college was not successful academically although I thought I had a good time. I was elected as president of Circle K, a service organization, whose High School equivalent declined to allow me to join (KEY CLUB). We had manned a crises line at Eastern Montana College in Billings, MT. As I said I did not do well academically so I decided that I had better go back to work at my real first job at Warmsprings State Hospital, as Main Men's Department clerk. I did this for 9 months until college was back in session that next fall at the University of Montana in Missoula. This work was enough motivation because I was earning $390.00 a month, up from $325. The previous year. I did this and went back to college at the U of M. I once again go involved with groups at the school, however I did not get too involved. I had a 3.65 GPA by the end of my Sophomore year. After gaining enough credit to graduate in Sociology and Education, I left the university to find work. (You noticed I did not say after getting a bachelors degree, the young 26 year old was going to prove something, something which I regret today)
The first opportunity that pasted my way was for Tax Shelter Annuity sales men for Teachers. I did this for about 6 months after passing my state boards. Then it became apparent I could not sell something that I was getting 40% of the teachers first year retirement saving and some other smaller percent after that. I again went out to look for work. I got two offers the same week. The first offer was from The Montana Power Company, and the second offer was from U.S. West. I took the offer from the Power Company. This was in 1978, wow I have been here for 20 years. I started out in the Credit Department in 1978, and I started what I called the five year plan. The first job was for a Clerk and I was not about to settle for a clerk job. In May of 1982, I was promoted to Credit Supervisor in Butte Division. In June of 1993 I was promoted to Customer Service / Credit Supervisor. In November 1995, the Customer Service Departments were downsized in one and I took a position in the Customer Service Support department as a Analyst. This is the position that I still hold today.
I was married in March of 1974 actually in the middle of a major bout with a decubitus. I became separated in December 1995 and divorced September 1996. The marriage failed because we had lead separate lives for many years. I was remarried for a second time in May, 1997, and divorced November 2000. The main contribution to my life is the children of my past wives, and for that I thank them very much. Thank you Charline and Rhonda. My counselor says I have a nack for presuing needy women, the problem seems to be they have had such problems in their own lives that they may not know how to love, or be loved.
As a man the toughest problem is understanding after raising 3 children is not being able to have children of my own flesh and blood. I have accepted this and my own skills have been used for the Lords will. As a child the toughest problem was understanding the pain in my legs and why I had to bear this.
I thank, The Lord every day for my challenges, my family, friends though my life, and for the Lord giving me the capacity to live life to its fullest.
My e-mail address is: jrwheels98@yahoo.com
Thanks for stopping by and please go to my guest book.
jrwheels98@yahoo.com
Montana
United States
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