There's always someone worse off

Canadian Joanne

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Apr 8, 2005
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I went to my support group meeting tonight. When I start feeling sorry for myself, I think about the people in my group who are much worse off than I am.

There's the 55 year old woman, divorced, no children, no siblings and her parents divorced 30 years ago. Her mother developed dementia and on top of all this, my friend has MS.

There's the 85 year old man, who just celebrated his 62nd wedding anniversary with his wife in long term care.

And there's my particular friend, who is 86 years old, frail but a lovely woman, whose daughter has Alzheimer's. She previously had a son die at the age of 39. To my mind, she's the worst off. I can't begin to conceive watching my child die of Alzheimer's.

I'm healthy, have a good relationship with my sister, a wonderful supportive husband. Things could be so much worse.

Joanne
 

jeannette

Registered User
Feb 27, 2006
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Good thought

I feel much the same way. (Mind you, I didn't this morning!) But you're so right. I also have a loving and understanding husband, and a loving and supportive sister - and a sweet little dog who comforts me when I'm sad.

Very lucky indeed. And I'm so glad you are, too. We need all the help and support we can get.

Love, Jeannette
 

mel

Registered User
Apr 30, 2006
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Sheffield
You're spot on!

Hi Joanne
You are so right ....there are ALWAYS people so much worse off.
Yes it hurts to see my mum going through this but up until this disease struck she had a good life and I shall continue to make it as good as I can..
But the thought of seeing my kids going through any sort of life threatening disease would totally floor me...it's unthinkable...
I often" count my blessings "
I have a lovely hubby (somewhat grumpy at times ....but a good old slap sorts him out...only joking)) 3 healthy lovely kids,a dog and two cats...
I am SOOOOOO lucky
Thanks for reminding me about the good things I have:)
 

Margarita

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Feb 17, 2006
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london
I just heard today that the manger of the emergency respite home that mum went to, her son 21 year old son was standing at a bus stop , a car going very fast around a corner rammed right in to him killing him 3 days ago.

I can not imagine the pain the mother must be going through ,but my prayers are with her .
 

Tender Face

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Mar 14, 2006
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NW England
Canadian Joanne said:
When I start feeling sorry for myself, I think about the people in my group who are much worse off than I am.
Joanne

Joanne, I generally adore your philosophies - but on this one you're gonna have to convince me!!!!!

How come, if I can recognise that other people are worse off than me (very much so on this site alone!) and they are coping and I'm not - then doesn't that make me feel worse - not better - about myself and my situation?:confused: :)

Hugs, Karen, x
 

Margarita

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Feb 17, 2006
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To put my 2 penny worth , Tender Face

at the end of the day its your Choice In how you want to Feel

I can't cope , but I chose to feel Positive & except the negative & fight it with the power of positive thinking
 

Amy

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Jan 4, 2006
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Does it matter who is worse off or better off ? - Presumably we don't whinge for the sheer hell of it, but when the situation we are in causes that response in us. Surely there is no hierarchy of suffering.
(Just feeling a bit controversial tonight!)
Amy
 

jeannette

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Feb 27, 2006
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Aspects of TP

Reading back through this thread, I see (still being comparatively new) that one of the great aspects of TP is that it really is like a great conversation with a wonderful and disparate group of people in similar, but not the same, boats. On this one, I find I've taken tips or advice or just a bit of a boost from each one. Amy, I so like the phrase "hierarchy of suffering" - can I please steal it? And you're so right; sometimes we just HAVE to whinge, and sometimes it's good for us (probably a pain in the rear end for others), and sometimes it's absolutely not, and then Margarita's positive thinking is the right thing (if you can manage it). But Karen, I'm so with you on what you say in your last posting. Often nothing makes me feel worse than seeing how well others are coping.

I have to say that hearing all these other awful tales moves me, of course, but also frightens me to an extent. I'm always scolding myself, reminding myself of how lucky I am and that things could be so much worse. It's a scary world, and we all know we have to make the most of every minute, but we're just human.

And right now I'm just rambling on, so for everyone's sake I'd better stop NOW. Sorry, all.
Jeannette
 

Tender Face

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Mar 14, 2006
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NW England
Margarita,

I was trying to make a joke there at my own expense, but clearly it didn’t work.

I know I try to remain ridiculously and at times unpopularly positive. But there is positive and ridiculous, and I, for one, certainly need to make the distinction between the two for my own sake and for others.

Hugs and a hummpphhhh, Karen.:mad:
 

Amy

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Jan 4, 2006
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Ramble away Jeannette - that's what is wonderful about being here - it is a place where we can ramble, and so sort out our thinking, and on the whole others are interested, and do understand.
Amy
 

Amy

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Jan 4, 2006
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Karen,
Well having restrained myself from shouting at husband (almost) and kids, I'm well up for it tonight.
Amy
 

Helena

Registered User
May 24, 2006
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I agree theres always people with far worse things to deal with

What gets me though is the awful arrogant ,rude,bullying and downright mean and nasty people in this world who seem to get all the perks and nothing bad ever happens to them or their families

Its so often the kindest most caring people who get hit with horrid diseases
 

Tender Face

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Mar 14, 2006
5,379
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NW England
Just a thought.....

Helena said:
I
Its so often the kindest most caring people who get hit with horrid diseases

Maybe, it's just those kindest most caring people are actually the stronger ones...... those who care to share their experiences for themselves and to help others? The horrible nasty people just hide it all away and pretend it never happens to them - sure they must hurt desperately inside - they just haven't got the guts to show how much it hurts, nor to share their pain to help others. Maybe it's them we should feel most sorry for?

Love, Karen, x
 

Norman

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Oct 9, 2003
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Birmingham Hades
Sorry I cannot subscribe to this looking at others worse off makes me feel better.
I dont't think very often that they are worse off.
What to me can be worse than looking after a wife that I have adored (and still do) for 59 years,24x7,If I can survive with only the ultimate end to look forward to?
I remember once hearing someone say "If I have my leg cut off and you have your leg cut off how will that help me"?
Norman:(
 

mel

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Apr 30, 2006
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Sheffield
I can't say I cope .....in fact I make a pig's ear of it half the time....most of the time in fact...but I will try my damndest to remain positive in all of this....if I don't I'll go under...Whether I like it or not dementia/AD /whatever this thing is......has taken over my life and I won't let it beat me....
Wendy:mad:
 

Amy

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Jan 4, 2006
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Hiya Norman,
What to me can be worse than looking after a wife that I have adored (and still do) for 59 years
Not having her there to look after?
Amy
 

Margarita

Registered User
Feb 17, 2006
10,824
0
london
I also
cannot subscribe to this looking at others worse off makes me feel better.
like Norman says but I do have empathy for them & can learn from them , if they our open to share .
 

connie

Registered User
Mar 7, 2004
9,519
0
Frinton-on-Sea
Hi, think we all need this. God bless,
 

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