Denise Derr:  

Wow! What a life I've had! I am currently going through a divorce from my spouse after 14 years of marriage. Not a really messy one ~ although I could make it that way... LOL My soon to be ex did some things that were really bad that he shouldn't have done so I left him... Anyway, I am not working, and will never work again. I am disabled due to back injuries that started after a car accident in December 1997 and came to a head after a fight with an inmate (I was a Correctional Lieutenant in the Texas Prison system) in late November 1999. I got up to walk out of work the morning of December 28, 1999 and could hardly move my legs. I was really afraid that I was losing the ability to walk. I have had 3 back surgeries to correct the "problems" that I had ~ and nothing has worked. I have been totally disabled (to where I can't work) since then. I am able to walk, but must take breaks ~ and sometimes I must lay down to take pressure off my back. The pain can be excruciating at times and I take lots of medicines to help control it. I have done everything from physical therapy, to surgery, to pain management now. I hate the fact that this is what my life has become, but I don't whine about it. I try to do the best I can with what I've been given. I still love life, laughter, friends... etc. I have 4 GREAT kids that I am so very proud of! My oldest, Justin, is in the Navy (9 years now ~ in Sept. it will be 10) and is a Master at Arms. He is stationed on the USS Carl Vinson in San DIego. Bryan, my second oldest, is retired from the Army (didn't want to go in same branch as his brother). LOL He was deployed to Afghanistan as medical personnel, and that experience greatly affected him. He came back to the states complaining of a sore back all the time. I had him go get checked out and he found several issues with his back; so bad in fact that the military said they could not use him any more ~ so they retired him. He is NOT going to have surgery on his back at this time as he would risk not being able to walk afterward. He is currently looking at going to school to further his education in the medical field. Jessica (my third), is my only daughter, and she is a real cutie. (Can I call a 23 year old a cutie?) LOL Anyway, she just got married on April 23 of this year. Benjamin is the baby (a 19 year old) and is just graduating from high school. He would have graduated last year but a hurricane had us evacuate and then move due to damage. He missed so much school (2 months) that I didn't see the point in sending him back to try and catch up ~ so he basically had the rest of that year off. He was a "happy camper" about that! But he is graduating this June 9th. Very proud of all my children ~ for the people they have become. I play video games ~ alot ~ to pass the time. My kids got me into them when I was stuck in bed for almost a year... At the moment, my favorite is World of Warcraft. I have several toons there on Nordrassil realm. The 2 I play the most are "Chaly" and "Bellå" (the A for Bellå is alt 134) in the event anyone is looking for me. That is where you can find me most of the time. I also am on Facebook ~ so if you are looking for me, you can find me there as well. I love life ~ getting out in the real world and doing things but I have to go slow. I admit, it is difficult for people to deal with my back issues, as you can't SEE pain. But I do try to have a social life. I MISS working ~ really bad! I miss the interaction with people. I was moving up in the working world. I was trying to get to Correctional Captain (the interview board for it was about 2 weeks after I left). I liked, TRULY liked, my job. Loved the people I had working for me. Even though a prison setting is a lot ...Expand for more