I have been diagnosed with Ataxia too. Not common, and people don't understand, not their fault. But being told nothing wrong with you, all in your mind, those remarks stay and hurt. No cure, so struggling with this, doing all I can to improve situation. Makes things harder to cope with when people have this attitude.

Hi Cheesecake. I wonder if part of the reason we're not feeling things at the moment they happen is that we're in shock at the situation . ( I'm specifically thinking of what you went through). The shock may cover any emotions that we would feel right after something happened; it sort of keeps the brain from overloading. Once we feel safe that the event isn't going to happen again, the emotions come. Eons ago my husband got mad at me and grabbed my arm. I was so shocked that I didn't have any words to say to him at the moment. A few days later , when the shock wore off, I got angry and he heard about it !

As for replying to what people say at the moment, sometimes I have rehearsed lines I will say. In your case it might be "this guy did something inappropriate in my apartment. Yes, I reported it, but I was not the one that fired him". I rarely get comments about what i've done directed at me. ( That may be because I live such a quiet life and nothing happens ). But when someone says something I don't expect, my first reaction is "Well that was rude", and then I decide whether to answer or not. It could be just "well we all have different opinions about that". Lots of times I go home and think "THIS is what I should have said to him". I can always think of things later.

As you know, my granddaughter died before birth. She was 5 days overdue when she died. I find myself now not grieving Sephy as much as being SO angry at the midwife for not delivering her earlier. A couple of weeks after this happened, the charge nurse called me to see how my daughter was doing. I told her that I disagreed with some of the meds they had given Amy , and that I wasn't impressed with the midwife's attitude. I said it very calmly because I was still in shock over what had happened. Now, 3 months later, I want to call the charge nurse and ask her more questions about what they did ( the staff) and really tell the nurse my feelings. I also am curbing the urge to call the midwife herself and tell her exactly what I feel. ( I"m sure Bridgette would say "she's going through the anger stage of grief " and let it go).
So some of my thoughts were delayed by the shock of what happened , but that's over now and I'm ready to tell the hospital and Bridgette just what i think. For Amy's sake, I'm not going to do that. If/ when she gets pregnant again, I don't want my actions to taint how she might be treated. But I certainly know what you're talking about.

My very good doctor, knew I was stressed after going through my husbands 3 cancer treatments, full scan before end of year to check all, my ataxia and tests and still no answer. Asked if I would talk to a team about my stress etc and way I have been getting anxious. We all know those feelings. I panicked, said no. He wanted to know why not? I was still saying no and getting stressed again at thought of it. He smiled, said there really nice, will you think about it? Still definitely not. I push things like that in a locked paddock when I can, and stays locked. Some parts of life are raw and private, got to think them through when and if you can. And some you don't want to go there. We lost five Holly, but not full term, that would have been devastating. But I believe we will one day meet them again.

Thanks holly and hugs to you...aust too! Yes, I'm struggling with wanting to *pummel* a neighbor....when I was sitting out back of my apt...after telling neighbors what the mm did, a risk I chose to take so they would be careful around him...my female neighbor said to me..."You weren't raped"......I just stared at her...I had been assaulted twice over 20 years ago...not raped...but all those feelings...triggered PTSD..overwhelmed me first...then I went to shock...felt numb.....I had to repeat what happened to the Board of directors...that was hard...mm was fired that night! Now since he's finally moved out...I feel such anger at the comment I mentioned.I would never/ever say that to any woman...you never know what another has been thru in their life..so I ignore her, but I'm kind of afraid I'll blow up, so I'm trying to decide what to do from here...pumnel pillows!! It's so hard when the feelings are so raw...I feel for you holly in what you are dealing with....and I feel for you too aust.....it s overwhelming! Gentle Hugs!