June Bishop:  

Hey fellow classmates. First, I want to say I cannot see who writes to me because I am not a paid member of this site so if I happen to leave a note in your 'box' and I don't reply to yours, it's not that I'm ignoring you...I DO speak now!! Can't believe the kids are finally getting a new school.It was a long time coming.It will be a challenge at first I'd imagine. But it will be such a benefit for them over time. My life was quite stagnant up until a few years ago. Out of H.S. I couldn't possibly hold down a secular job due to my physical difficulties. So I ended up helping out families by being a full-time babysitter/nanny. In a time frame of 13 years I have taken care of over 50 children! Sometimes as many as three families per week. As most of you know, I have trouble with my hips. I developed no hip sockets as I grew as a toddler. As a result of increasing pain & near a [real] nervous breakdown,I had to give up on the jobs I had.(And believe me babysitting/being a nanny IS A JOB!!!).I tried one last ditch effort to make it. I worked on the Potato Harvester,in 98.(Yes, ON the rough-riding tractor, in many a huge fields). I succeeded by completing the 2 month job.But afterwards I could just barely walk. I started noticing a difference in my father.He had discouraged the use of even crutches to help me,he told me I'd get dependent on them.I now think that may have been part denial from him feeling guilty about my health issues.(He would even act strange when I had a bandage on,you should have heard him when I broke my pinkie!!).Soon I saw him start helping me do things. He even started to encourage medical help & I gave in and signed up for Disability. I got it within 4 months of applying. I moved out of my place that my father & I built, which really broke my spirit; & moved into town. In 2000 I started digging around for a doctor to help me. My primary care dr told me it wasn't his job to help me find another dr!!I have been to several Dr's instate to find someone to help.I also went through over 14 hospitals on the web.In 03,a nurse in NY led me to a doctor in Cleveland OH.He agreed to take a stab at it (no pun intended!) & agreed to help me. I choose to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses,therefore in accordance with the Bible, I refuse Blood Transfusions.This hospital was a Blood Conservation Hosp. So with help of God's strength & other members of the same faith, along with the Drs there,I went out in Nov/03.The surgery was very complex but VERY sucessful. With no blood administered. I went home in one month. I made lots of new friends.You wouldn't believe the places the took me, "on the house"!!!(Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame,Science Museum,Omnimax,Ritz Carlton for lunch,Auto Museum,Art Museum,Botanical Gardens,Metroparks Zoo,a Mansion,a Vintage clothing museum,Barnum&Bailey Circus).I felt right at home,which isn't normally easy for me. Some of the hospital staff even thought we were related! I did get to Cleveland to have my left hip done in Nov of 04. Went along fine till I fell and hurt my leg, 7 wks out. Osteotomy & graft had't fused in 4 years & two screws have loosened. So I had to go back to see what could be done. Still hd to use crutches most of the time when I walked a certain distance.I had days where I really got angry with myself for 'messing it up',but atleast I now I know I tried. Got some pychological help for my very turbulent past also. I'm coming to grips with a lot of things.Though slowly. I've traveled a long winding,hazardous road since graduation.A backroad no one who knew me,would have ever guessed I'd swing onto.I had my ROWDY days.Yes, again I had my share of LOW moments. Can you see ME DRUNK??? Yeah, after drinking,ludeness,a dose of deception & a couple of weed instances;I fortunately came to my senses.(I really do miss my coffee brandy though!).I had gained alot of CRASS "associates",because I thought I needed them.It made it even easier for the fact I had gone to school with a few of them, who were quiet a bit younger.Then I'd known 1 of the parents most of my life.Then you throw a dragnet out to all their allies.After a year or so of nearly ruining my life AND the life of those I love;I woke up.I realized if I didn't get out of the situation,I wouldn't make it out alive.Physically or spiritually.Without t...Expand for more