checking in

Hi All: It has been well over a year since I posted. Today I looked at the forum and was sorry to read about all the conflict. I had GBS in 2005 and began posting at that time-what a relief it was to find this board! I didn’t have many questions then but needed support and place to be heard, and I found all of that here. I am hopeful we can all move through the conflicts and get back to being a support group for everyone who comes here. I left the board partly due to the conflict that occurred back then which became very personal very fast. But, due the impact of GBS on my immune system, I developed another nasty autoimmune disease which put me in the hospital four times in four months. It is now under control with medication, but my energy went away from GBS to dealing with the new disease and that was another reason I stopped posting.
GBS paralyzed me totally below the waste and left me with extensive nerve damage in my legs so I have been using a wheel chair most times when I have to leave the house for any period of time. Recently, I began medicare and decided it might be worth while to do some more physical therapy. Though the pt didn’t truly get residuals he did help me a lot. After 6 years I am now able to take 20 minute walks every other day, and that is like a major gift. It is such a joy to be able to walk again even if just for twenty minutes. For some reason the pain in my legs is much better, though I still have neuropathy every day which sucks.
So I am just checking in and saying hi to old timers who might remember me and to all the new people as well. I was thrilled to make progress after 6 years and it gave me hope with my other disease as well. My best to all of you. Jeff