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Dread Disease Dragged Out My Best
Dread Disease Dragged Out My Best -- Posted by MilesRuss@gmail.com on 01-15-05 15:24
Free-Reprint Article Written by: Russ Miles
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Article Title:
Dread Disease Dragged Out My Best
Article Author: Russ Miles
Article Copyright: 2005
Author Contact Email:
mailto:MilesRuss@Gmail.com
Formatted to 65 Characters per Line
Word Count: 971 words [ includes remarks ]
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Dread Disease Dragged Out My Best
I think they had a special going on despair at the time, and I
considered trading my new depression in on it. At 53 years of age, with
a defiant, pre-teen daughter, and an ex-wife who couldn't work, life
looked pretty bleak.
I retired from real estate in SW Washington, but only when I could no
longer walk. Over three years previous, the doctors had said I needed
to "Get rid of stress and stop working." In denial, I was slow to
accept Multiple Sclerosis. Who, after all, would embrace a diagnosis of
the dread disease of no known cause, and for which there was no cure?
"The mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society=AE is to end
the devastating effects of MS. Approximately 400,000 Americans
acknowledge having MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed.
Worldwide, MS may affect 2.5 million individuals."
I continued to operate my own real estate company, increasing the
number of experienced agents who required less hands-on supervision.
Putting renters in my house, I moved closer to my office using a
handicapped scooter to get back and forth on those days when I didn't
have appointments set up to "List" or "Show" homes. I refused to give
up driving because one leg still worked, most of the time.
In hidden panic, I began making hasty decisions. On a week requiring my
personal intervention on behalf of two of my agent's real estate
transactions, I decided to sell my company. For a coffee cup, I traded
my principle share of the real estate corporation to my new partner
(another such decision), just to get out. Having no problem, I obtained
an Associate Broker position with one of the major corporations.
When it became apparent-even to me-that I could no longer provide
the level of service I expected my clients to have, I took the Social
Security Disability option. Gritting my teeth, as the mandatory waiting
period ticked away, I tried to decide what to do with the remaining
years of my life. Although I had once owned art stores, even taught oil
painting-always the optimist-ever I could not paint a portrait of
future prosperity.
A good friend suggested that I write a book. As I had published two
poetry books twenty-five years before, I considered the possibility. In
an attempt to overcome personal depression, I decided to write about
making better choices. I chose a novel format because it allowed the
freedom to develop hypothetical scenarios, involving fictional
characters, while forcing awareness of real dangers. I wanted to make a
compelling case for right choices, not just in marketing ones home, but
in all aspects of life.
I've made a lot of mistakes. Most of us do. We live in troubled,
unpredictable times. People must contend with changing economic issues,
employment disruptions, family problems, health upsets, crime, and
consequences. With enhanced awareness, we can perhaps gain clarity
when, standing flat-footed over home plate, the curve ball comes. Okay,
so we were expecting a fast-pitch.
For Sale By Owners: FSBO is my novel about people. Not perfect people.
It begs the question, "What would For Sale By Owners do if they knew
they were really buying trouble?" As former real estate broker, I am
qualified to shed some light on this often un-addressed area of
concern.
Many agents are reluctant to tell people just how dangerous it is to
open their doors to strangers. Understandably, people who must sell
homes do not want to pay brokerage fees, if they can avoid it. It is,
absolutely their right to sell their homes themselves. But all too
often, the man saying, "We can sell it ourselves, Honey," pops a FOR
SALE BY OWNER sign in the yard, and goes off to his work. His compliant
companion places an ad in the local newspaper, answers the phone, and
sets appointments for the supposedly interested buyers to come see
their home for sale. Danger comes cloaked by delusion.
I've had women clients tell me they had prayed that no one would call.
Peeking out the curtains, some deciding astutely, did not answer the
door.
As my father once told me, "Son, all crooks have honest faces. Malice
masquerades well in a mask of deceit."
In their efforts to be professional, often agents do not wish to alarm
or alienate sellers who might list with them, later. I have no such
vested interest.
Even real estate agents recognize they are placing themselves at risk
when showing houses. Every year, many are abducted, robbed, murdered,
and raped in this country. NAR=AE, the National Association of Realtors,
constantly warns agents to vigilant, careful whom they work with. Many
Realtors=AE will no longer do "Open Houses" because it is simply too
dangerous. The commission reward of marketing a home in this manner,
disproportionate to the risk.
Yes, I am passionate about the problem. My book doesn't mince words.
The serial rapist adds an eerie element, providing a fractured face to
one possible perpetrator.
Multiple Sclerosis forcing a mid-life course correction, this dread
disease has dragged out my best. The MS Society=AE and its network of
chapters nationwide promote research, educate, advocate on critical
issues, and organize a wide range of programs including support for the
newly diagnosed and those living with MS over time.
-----------------------article ends-----------------------
Russ Miles is the author of the novel, For Sale By Owners:FSBO.
Seasoned Real Estate NAR=AE Broker Disabled by Multiple Sclerosis,
FOR SALE BY OWNERS:FSBO ISBN 0-595-28703-4,in trade paperback,
is available by phone or Internet:1-800-Authors to order direct!
Very HOT-LINK Adobe e-book & hard cover editions also available
FSBO at Amazon.com at Barnes and Noble and other fine booksellers.
Comments: MilesRuss@Gmail.com. Personal referrals to his publisher
You can reach Russ at (360)694-6756. Or by email MilesRuss@Gmail.com
______________remarks ends______________
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