Jobs and ACC

I hope you are enjoying my blog posts so far this week! Today I go to work. So I felt that it was right to make todays post about the struggles with the job situation and having or finding a job. I'm trying to make each blog post honest but also still have a hint of positiveness. These are real issues that have come up due to my ACC but I've learned to either cope or overcome. I know that if I can do that- anyone can!

Through out my life I showed an interest in the business world and wanted to be an inventor when I was younger, then at one point I wanted to be a singer then a dentist. Then just before HS graduation I wanted to be a beautician then an interior designer. Finally when I got to college I was going to be a music major, then I switched to Journalist, before finally realizing youth ministry was the path for me.

When I was 18 (and finally driving) I got a job at a pizza place that my friend worked at. Life was good, it was my first job. At this point I still didn't know about my ACC. (I didnt find out about my ACC until I was 20.) I still made sure my boss knew that I wouldnt catch on quickly and that I would be somewhat slow about my work due to that. (I told him this before he hired me) 6 days later I was fired for both of those reasons! So I quickly moved on and realized that while I now made amazing pizzas I should not work in the food industry (unless I was my own boss haha) Well then I went to college. In middle school I was a library aid so when I went to college I applied for a job at the school library and got it. Because I had been trained in it before I did well at this job...except when I got stressed and bombarded with life and school. Finally when I was 20 we found out about my ACC and that was why I performed badly at work when I was stressed out. Then after 2 years working at the library on and off I realized that working while in college was not a good idea and did not reapply the following year.

During college I went to see my neurologist every 6 months. He is the one that told me no driving while in college- and he also told me that I would never be able to work in a regular job. The only job I could have was something that I've been trained in- meaning library work, something to do with music (promotion or musician either one), youth ministry, or secretary work. He said no to any food industry or retail work because with my ACC and stress levels I wouldnt be able to handle it.

Finally in May 2010 I graduated college. I spent the next year and a half looking for work. My options were limited and I was so...depressed. Then I got a job offer to work for someone as their Assistant. They work with 3 coalitions: Diabetes, Cancer, and Recovery. With this job I could help others (children and adults) I could do so many things that I've wanted to do to help others. I've been working there for 5 months now and this job has helped me grow. I've overcome so many obstacles from this job and have become more confident despite my ACC.

Everyone told me I wouldnt be able to do something. But I found a job that fits well. This job has a little bit of certain things I've been trained in: Spreading awareness, promotion, and since I've done things on the computer since I was 3 and I use a computer for my job thats another thing. :)

If I can find something that I'm able to strive for and work in I know anyone can. Don't give up just because someone says you cant. Only YOU know your true limits. I know I will probably never work in the food or retail industries, I know I'll never teach (unless I find a job in youth ministry one day) but in a classroom- no. But you'll find something. It might take a while but don't give up!

Keep striving and working for improvement daily. This encouragement isnt just for fellow ACCers but it is for anyone with Brain disorders or even anyone with any kind of something that might get them down.

Jobs might me hard to find but they are out there- even for people like me :)

Reminder: Keep wearing silver/gray this week for brain awareness week and keep spreading the word! I'll blog at you again tomorrow.

The next 2 posts will be about My background with ACC (a more indepth look at before and after my diagnosis) and then ACC and Depression! The weeks gonna be over soon! How crazy is that! but brain awareness should never stop!

Driving

Anyone that knows me will tell you I'm a pretty brave person. I'm brutally honest to the point of making people quite mad. I am strict and not afraid to lay down the law in situations that need it. But there are certain things that show a more timid side to me. A side that not often seen.

I like my comfort zones- just like anyone. When a new situation comes up in my life I often become shy and timid- until I become used to whatever situation I am in.

Now this part of me has gotten a lot better in the last few months with working. I'm not as much that way as I used to be. I've always loved change in the long run- and now that I'm working I've been met with new responsibility and new experiences that have challenged and grown me. I love my job and the experiences I've gained from it, both good and bad in parts. But it's been great and I'm thankful that I've had the opportunity to become very much less timid that I was.

That being said...One part of my life that I've always been afraid of is driving. When I was 15 my dad died so he never taught me how to drive and my mom just isnt...the right personality type for that. She's a mom- over protective and worrisome- she's better now but when I was 15...well you get the picture. haha. So when 16 rolled around- I didnt get my permit, 17, didnt get my permit. Then when I was 18 my mom finally said "You've got to do this." So I did- I took 2 driving classes and finally got my permit then 6 months later my license then in Aug of that year (I was still 18) I was in a car accident. I was fine but I totaled my car. Then a few months later I moved with my brother that helped me get a new car. Drove for a year with no problems then Aug of the year I was 19 I was in a worse car accident. Both myself and the other driver lived and had minor injuries. But thats when my mom and I were certain that something was wrong with my brain. I had blanked out and had what I now know as an "ACC moment" no warning at all. When I was diagnosed my doctor told me that I may never drive again. So I spent my whole time in college learning about ACC and learning about myself!

I learned the signs of when to tell a "blank out" would come. I learned that if I had a headache I was not to drive. Finally after I graduated college and learned how to control certain things about myself and my ACC I was granted permission to drive again. I was scared and so was my mother. But I knew it needed to happen. Finally after a year of talking about it I was able to get out there again.

I still have to be extremely cautious and I refuse to drive when I notice signs of my ACC. I refuse to put my life and the lives of others in danger. But I've overcome that obstacle in life. I have been able to become a good driver and I'm so alert now. I'm thankful for the experience and opportunities of this.

Know this my fellow ACCers that if I can overcome these things then so can you! If there is something you feel you can't do- learn how to cope with your ACC- see if you can be the exception to the rule. If you cannot- that is okay too! Your strength is in something else! I have faith in you and that you'll find you're obstacle to overcome. Mine was driving- and it's something that I'm always working at- what's yours?

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These blogs this week are going to be honest blogs- they will show you parts of me that you may not have realized are often on my mind. But I'm working to make Brain disorders, especially ACC, known! Brain disorders/diseases are scary but it's something that we ALL need to be aware of. We need to know that people that we may think are always happy have struggles too. I'm fine with driving now. God has given me the faith I needed in that area of my life. So now I'm spreading the word to others that may need to hear whats on my heart and mind! :)

March 12-18= Brain Awareness Week

Hey everyone! well starting the 12th is Brain Awareness week! Wear your silver ribbon and spread the word!

During this week hopefully I'll be blogging some.

As ACC is a brain disorder, one that I and many others have been diagnosed with- I've chosen to update my blog through the week talking about ACC- the struggles and blessings.

I was diagnosed with ACC almost 6 years ago. That was a scary time for me and I remember praying that God would heal more for the longest time. I kept asking "why me?" and would try to hide my ACC then one day- 6 months after I was diagnosed I realized something- instead of being depressed by my diagnoses I could help others see that they could overcome so much even if they have ACC. I've lived the last almost 5 and a half years extremely honest that I've got a disorder. I tell others and I do not hide it. I try to help many people, and try to tell others that have never heard it before. But instead of talking about the good that I continuously hope to do I think today- the first blog should be about the tough stuff.

As I said when I was first diagnosed I was scared, sad, and I wanted to hide it. I hated my brain. I was afraid people would judge me and misunderstand me and most of the time I was right.

I get easily frustrated- but I dont communicate it well. When I used to get frustrated in school I would take it out on others and only a few people knew that I was frustrated at myself and not them. I hated that I couldn't understand certain things. I would get so mad at myself that I couldn't hide it. And for a long time I was a yeller. Then one day I decided that instead of doing that I would just walk away. This is how I got the reputation of being a drama queen- everyone thought I was overreacting. No one understood that I was just trying to cope with things. I was mocked and made fun of because so many prejudged my actions.

I still struggle with this but I've learned just to breathe and keep as calm as possible. I still get extremely nervous during new situations but I now have a great support system (my boss and my mom) who know when to push me and know my limit and not to push me past it. Because of them I'm learning so much about me- but every day is a struggle.

I hate when people say "well you seem smart!" when they find out about my ACC. I just want to say "I never said I was dumb!" Having ACC doesn't make me an dumb- it makes me someone that has to try even harder to work things out. I'm a hard worker and I like that about me. But I get so sad when people always tell me that if it wasn't for my big mouth they'd never know I had ACC. My whole life I was bullied and told I didn't fit in because I was socially awkward. I was disliked because I was weird, and now that I know why I was "weird" people are telling me that I'm perfectly normal? It's tough living with a hidden disability. That's why I'm blogging during Brain Awareness week. The brain is a fascinating thing. No persons brain is like another persons. Each person with ACC is a different "case." Yes we have things in common but no two experiences are the exact same.

I struggle with migraines, I never learned to ride a bike, I had to work extra hard in math, just to get a D (and sometimes a C- praise God!) I had to study for hours just to get passing in memorization tests. I am a people person, and I am friendly and love to talk but social ques are sometimes a foreign concept. I never learned how to properly tie my shoes, my balance is horrible, and every day is a battle.

How do I attack these daily battles? With a smile and a laugh! Every single day I find something that makes me smile and laugh. I find music that makes me happy and I find a way to find happiness in the darkest moments. Personally I'm also a Christian- and I know not everyone who reads this is but I do find joy in my Lord! I've found so manyt things that help me get through the days and I'm thankful for these hobbies! Find something you enjoy if you struggle with getting down about your ACC.

Another thing I say a lot to my fellow ACCers is: "You are NOT alone! We can do this together" ACCers are a great support system for each other because no one else understands what's going on in our brains (you decide if the pun was intended ;) haha)

I'm droned on long enough for now- hopefully I can blog again later. This week will be a bit about my journey as a person with a brain disorder.

For those that are checking this blog out to support me- PLEASE wear your silver this week and tell everyone you know what this week is about- tell them about ACC- mention other brain disorders or even brain cancer! The brain is a pretty important part of the body and deserves to have awareness about it spread! Thanks so much!

Still trying...

I'm still trying to figure out a way to start ACCAA back up. I think we'll be able to sometime within the next year or two and I'm excited for the moment that I can announce that we're back! :)

ACCAA, inactive for now.

Well I have some horrible news about ACCAA. In order to break the news on the blog I'm posting the message I sent out to the ACCAA group on Facebook:

Well everyone,

I gave people a month to contact me, and while some did I didnt get enough follow up about the fundraisers. So for now...I heartbreakingly inform the members of this group that absolutely no updated news will be added from me to this group, or the website until further notice.

Once funding for ACCAA happens I will be able to continue work with ACCAA. Until then there is nothing I can do. This also means until I receive the help needed there is nothing that I can do. I'm sorry about this but I'm being honest. I dont want to shut ACCAA down completely because the good that has happened through ACCAA outweighs the difficulty we've run into. So right now I'm stopping all updates. You all can still converse on the website/facebook group/message board and you are all welcome to message me and keep in contact, but nothing new about ACCAA will be going on until we are able to raise funds.

I hope that everyone understands, that I really don't want to do this but I've been forced to due to the situation that ACCAA has entered.

God bless you all and I hope that we keep in touch. Feel free to visit the website for the information thats on there right now. I do want everyone to know that I'm not angry about this, it just breaks my heart. All that I am doing is stating the facts.
-Lynnea
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I do feel horrible about this but it was unavoidable. Hopefully we can get back up and running in a few months.

update

hey everyone,

The golf tournament went well! Thanks again Matt for doing that! Now after that I have great news. We will be able to do more fundraisers and hopefully grow our support. I'm working on contacting local schools but they havent been very supportive yet. I think once they know more about ACC and ACCAA I may see a difference there.

The saynow number is still working and hopefully I will soon be doing another phone call where you can call in and talk to me!

That is really all thats going on right now. :)

God Bless

-Lynnea of ACCAA

Life after college

Well Life after college has been rough but good. I'm still searching for a job. Other than that I've been struggling with some knee issues that we've traced back to how I've learned to walk because of my ACC and all that.

I just had knee surgery and am still recovering from that. So that's basically what my life has been about lately.

I've been frustrated and stressed, and my migraines are returning but I'm doing my best to keep my chin up because I know that it will all work out.

So fellow ACCers and family and friends of ACCers keep your heads up, because it may get tough but you can make it through. Growing up I was always told to smile through the pain and that really does do wonders! :)