JR> No one can teach you to be self motivating.  If you have the desire,
JR> you can move mountains.
That is one of the most _profound_ statements I have read in a long, long
time ! I wish others had the _same_ courage of their convictions as you...
At the same time, I have no choice but to be condemnatory towards the hoards
of "do-gooders" that pretend to be "motivational" with members of the
disabled community: often they do more damage than they do good ! The "do-
gooders" I am referring here to are the ones paid by the government.
JR> So, if I can,  anyone who is self starting, and has the desire can.
More than anything else, the person who has the drive and desire to
_accomplish_ something on their own is the KEY towards their (eventual)
success. In essence an attitude of "...nothing is impossible..." is
necessary, the `opinions' of the professional do-gooders notwithstanding !
JR> I don't aim on remaining so.  I'll keep my skills up, and do as much as
JR> I can, if and when I can.
You pretty well _have to_ these days. This "game" has just got to be THE
most intensive of all (technical) fields requiring _continuous_ self-study
and education. The encumbrant technology certainly shows no indications of
ever "slowing-down" or becoming "static", never mind coming to a complete
halt. If it's not taking-in trade shows, it's reading the trades, testing,
implementing and `fine-tuning' new hardware software, and (finally) attending
(manufacturers')tech seminars and (college) courses (either through the week,
over weekends or during evenings)...as well as "running the business" at
other times ! Somewhere in-between all of this there is a bit of time for the
family...
JR> Anyhow, that one of my FROM TOTAL DISABILITY in 1966, to full
JR> employemnt in 75, to total diability in 1978, to full employment in
JR> 1988 stories.  Yes, after my December 1992 surgury, I sort of became
JR> totally disabled again.
Here's hoping that some folks will take the time to read - and comprehend
fully - your story. Mine is similar to yours but instead of having been
inflicted with a debiltating physical disability, I am faced with a more or
less continual loss (described medically as "severe, relative age) of hearing
abilities. Only because I had always maintained a keen level of interest in
"communications" (ham radio, photography are two of my most enjoyable 
obbies)
have I found my own way to the PC; as with most other (personal) endeavours
throughout my life, I have found a fair measure of personal and professional
satisfaction as a result. I too, like yourself, possessed a sort of "hatred"
and disdain for computers when I attended college; and, I had encountered a
lot of resistance from those I thought I could trust later in life, but none
moreso than the professional do-gooders on government stipidends. As a direct
result, I "decided" one day that if I was to achieve anything about my desire
to advance professionally, that I would have to `take the bull by the horns'
and do it _on my own_. I had a dream, but I didn't know exactly where it
would take me: today, I own an IT consultancy and a DTP company, both of
which I run from my home and enjoy a partnership in a pet foods and
supplies company (that I will soon be taking "into the 21st-Century" with
computerization).
Semper Fi
RTP
... The above message was written with talent on loan from God.
~~~ PGPBLUE 3.0 
---
---------------