Volume 10 Issue 1
Article 24
Indonesia TMA Support Group I am Tatiyana from Jakarta, Indonesia. You can call me Yana. I am a graduate of the University of Indonesia in Economics. My entire career has been in Human Resources working with people in recruitment and selection, learning and development, performance management, competency, and information systems. I was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis in January 2009 at Penang-Malaysia. I returned to Jakarta where I was given high dose steroid therapy. I had no positive reaction to the steroids. I believe that my illness began in 2008. I was in a wheelchair after two months and required care 24 hours a day. I was examined by many different doctors in my country, but no one ever mentioned TM as a diagnosis. Finally, in December 2010, I went to Singapore where it was determined that I had TM. I was also told that there is no cure for TM and my symptoms. During this time I kept looking for information on TM. It is very rare in Indonesia and there is no support group in my country. Then I found The Transverse Myelitis Association led by Sandy Siegel. I was grateful to find information and support. I decided that I wanted to help people in my country who have TM. I would like to help them find information about their condition and to also offer support. People are so confused when they receive this diagnosis. It has been difficult for me to adjust to my condition. I believe that my plan for daily survival has helped me. 1. I manage my emotions and find happiness in the small things around me. 2. I know how to make myself comfortable. 3. I don't fix myself to a plan – I remain flexible and adaptable to change. 4. I focus on helping others; especially healthy people. There is something powerful about being able to help a healthy person. 5. I keep moving forward. I have started a cookery business and do Human Resources Consulting. 6. I have learned to live with and accept pain. 7. I value what I have. 8. I pray. I hope that other people in Indonesia with ADEM, NMO, ON and TM will contact me. Tatiyana Sarif |