Disabled chicken keepers

[boskelli1571]

I live with severe depression and anxiety that waxes and wanes. My birds give me a reason to go outside and do something. I constantly come up with projects that have to do with them. They also give me a sense of purpose. Sometimes I go overboard and get obsessive about their wellbeing (like right now with a runty chick), but the good outweighs the bad. I’m also a plant person for similar reasons. I feel appreciated, or at least needed, and that’s important to me. I don’t really have friends, so my pets (animal and plant) get all my attention.

I couldn’t do without my automatic door opener. I’d feel so bad if I couldn’t get out and they were stuck in the coop! Or if I fell asleep (I am permanently tired) and forgot to close them in for the night. It’s a lifesaver.

Thank you for your reply.
Depression can be hard to deal with and having animals and birds really does give you purpose.
Automatic doors can certainly be a godsend. I have thought about one but I like to be up and about early so I don't really need one ...yet
I am writing an article on disabilities for a magazine and I will include your thoughts if I may, Sue

 

[Wilkinsbird]

Thank you for your reply.
Depression can be hard to deal with and having animals and birds really does give you purpose.
Automatic doors can certainly be a godsend. I have thought about one but I like to be up and about early so I don't really need one ...yet
I am writing an article on disabilities for a magazine and I will include your thoughts if I may, Sue

That’s good with me. I would love to see the finished piece if that’s possible.

 

[svh]

I am legally disabled from a severe fall at my construction job over 10 years ago, and also from a host of maladies brought on by said fall ….. I had a heart attack shortly after falling ….. diabetes, which NO ONE else in my family history has ever had ….. Degeneration in back, hips, and joints associated with injury's from fall ….. Severe apnea, and narcolepsy from head injury associated with fall ….. I think that's about all !!!

I have drastically changed my habits, and schedule since getting the chooks, all for the better I believe, because I know they depend on me for EVERYTHING !

They make me get up earlier than I did previously, and there is a never ending list of things to do for them. I squeeze my mandatory naps in between chicken chores.

I built my own coop, it only took me 3 months, as I can only work for a couple hours at a stretch !

I am workin on a new run right now, I'm about 3 weeks in, and with setting T-posts, and pouring concrete,
I project I'll be done with that in the next 2 weeks !!! Most people could do this in a weekend, but I'm not deterred.

A new back brace has been a godsend, allowing me to work with a reduced pain level ..... Till I take it off !!!

I could never have done any of this without my dogs ..... They are the light of my life, and the reason for my existance. They demand that I get up, movin around to take them for their twice daily walk, and not to mention they motivate me to keep goin, and not give up.

The hounds are instrumental in keeping the flock safe from predators, and alerting me to any guests, or problems on my property. The dogs, and the chickens follow each other around like, well, puppy dogs !!!

This frees me up to rest, or nap, without the worry of Mr. Fox, or Ms. Coyote, snatching any of the ladies !

As for the chicken chores, I'm relatively new at them, only 2 months in, but I seem to manage OK, besides being way more tired and sore at the end of the day. Extra pain meds are needed from time to time, ( I really hate taking them) but are a necessary evil in my condition.

 

[boskelli1571]

That’s good with me. I would love to see the finished piece if that’s possible.

I will let you know when it's published

 

[boskelli1571]

I am legally disabled from a severe fall at my construction job over 10 years ago, and also from a host of maladies brought on by said fall ….. I had a heart attack shortly after falling ….. diabetes, which NO ONE else in my family history has ever had ….. Degeneration in back, hips, and joints associated with injury's from fall ….. Severe apnea, and narcolepsy from head injury associated with fall ….. I think that's about all !!!

I have drastically changed my habits, and schedule since getting the chooks, all for the better I believe, because I know they depend on me for EVERYTHING !

They make me get up earlier than I did previously, and there is a never ending list of things to do for them. I squeeze my mandatory naps in between chicken chores.

I built my own coop, it only took me 3 months, as I can only work for a couple hours at a stretch !

I am workin on a new run right now, I'm about 3 weeks in, and with setting T-posts, and pouring concrete,
I project I'll be done with that in the next 2 weeks !!! Most people could do this in a weekend, but I'm not deterred.

A new back brace has been a godsend, allowing me to work with a reduced pain level ..... Till I take it off !!!

I could never have done any of this without my dogs ..... They are the light of my life, and the reason for my existance. They demand that I get up, movin around to take them for their twice daily walk, and not to mention they motivate me to keep goin, and not give up.

The hounds are instrumental in keeping the flock safe from predators, and alerting me to any guests, or problems on my property. The dogs, and the chickens follow each other around like, well, puppy dogs !!!

This frees me up to rest, or nap, without the worry of Mr. Fox, or Ms. Coyote, snatching any of the ladies !

As for the chicken chores, I'm relatively new at them, only 2 months in, but I seem to manage OK, besides being way more tired and sore at the end of the day. Extra pain meds are needed from time to time, ( I really hate taking them) but are a necessary evil in my condition.

Wow! Sounds like you went to Hell and back....it's often the way when one thing happens the dominoes start to fall.
If it's ok I will pm you with a few questions since you have much to tell I think

 

[svh]

Wow! Sounds like you went to Hell and back....it's often the way when one thing happens the dominoes start to fall.
If it's ok I will pm you with a few questions since you have much to tell I think

Luckily, the dominoes stopped falling ! lol

Absolutely PM me, I'd be glad to answer any questions you might have.